Microsoft Ditches DEI Team – Rejects Woke Agenda! Finally Based?!

Microsoft has made headlines by eliminating its entire Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) team. This decision has sparked speculation about the tech giant’s future direction. Will Microsoft start moving away from its previous focus on woke and inclusive initiatives?

The report, originally shared by Business Insider’s Ashley Stewart, reveals that a team leader criticized Microsoft’s move, stating, “DEI programs everywhere are no longer business critical or smart as they were in 2020.” This sentiment echoes a broader conversation about the evolving role of DEI efforts in corporate America.

Despite the team’s elimination, Microsoft insists that its commitment to diversity and inclusion remains strong. Spokesman Jeff Jones stated, “Our D&I commitments remain unchanged. Our focus on diversity and inclusion is unwavering and we are holding firm on our expectations, prioritizing accountability, and continuing to focus on this work.” Microsoft demonstrated this commitment with the introduction of the Gaming For Everyone Product Inclusion Framework earlier this year.

Katy Jo Wright, Xbox’s Head of Gaming For Everyone & Sustainability, explained the framework’s purpose in an interview with Games Industry: “If you don’t intentionally include, you will unintentionally exclude. That is how we are as human beings.” The framework includes 10 Product Inclusion Actions, which guide game developers to consider various aspects of inclusivity, such as avoiding negative gender stereotypes and ensuring female characters are depicted with appropriate skill levels and attire.

Questions in the framework include:

Are you reinforcing any negative gender stereotypes?
Are you unnecessarily introducing gender barriers into your code or design?
Are your female characters equal in skill and ability to their male counterparts?
Do male characters display a full range of emotions, including joy, sadness, and vulnerability?
However, controversy surrounds Microsoft's employment of individuals with strong opinions on these issues. Kelly Lombardi, for example, posted on X, “Raise your hand if you’re not a white man and you buy video games,” followed by, “(No hate to white dudes, it’s just another day in the gaming industry that minorities have to fight to prove they exist).”

The big question now is whether Microsoft will continue to support woke initiatives or shift its focus away from such agendas. The elimination of the DEI team might suggest a reevaluation of their priorities. What do you think? Is Microsoft moving away from catering to the woke agenda, or will they find new ways to integrate DEI into their core business strategies?