[cabbagesauce]

As a white european dude, who's ancestors never oppressed anyone, rather were oppressed by other white dudes through history. Can you ELI5 why the DEI exists and what problems does it solve, from but from a perspective of someone of my position?

Not a troll-bait question, but I sincerely try to comprehend this as to me the mere term people of color is the uttermost racist label imaginable. Also, that presumes I'm from people of no-color...

[hedgehog]

In the US discrimination based on skin color is widespread and goes back to before the country's founding, and access to opportunities is very uneven based on wealth. The PoC term is a reflection of the general pattern of discrimination as practiced here. This situation both has strong inertia (easier to get access to opportunity if you have relatively wealthy parents and/or blend in with wealthier people who tend to be white) and is also reinforced by vested interests (demonizing Latinos and Asian immigration for taking jobs helps keep immigration regulations tight and labor costs down). DEI initiatives are one take on how to get the system to correct towards giving everyone a fair shot.

[ianhawes]

Discrimination in the US is based on socioeconomic status just as much as race.