“Woke” Diversity Strategies: Science or Sensationalism?

Abstract

The recent Academy of Management Perspectives article “Rethinking Diversity Strategies: An Application of Paradox and Positive Organization Behavior Theories,” by David Waldman and Jennifer Sparr characterizes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategies as a paradox between diversity and unity. We are concerned by the incendiary and imprecise adoption of core terms (e.g., woke, woke-washing, unity) and the dearth of engagement with existing scholarship—specifically, critical race theory, positive organizational scholarship, and DEI scholarship. In this Exchange, we posit that their article yields potentially harmful conclusions for DEI. We write this commentary to clarify definitions, bodies of literature, and diversity strategies. Maintaining scholarly standards is particularly important in diversity research because inaccuracies have real-life implications for some of society’s most vulnerable and marginalized communities.