It may seem like the crusade against DEI initiatives sprang out of nowhere in the wake of the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision on affirmative action. But the arguments of DEI opponents—who claim the initiatives give minorities an unfair advantage and actively discriminate against white males—echo messages that have been circulating for more than 150 years.

The Reconstruction Era. After the Civil War and abolishment of slavery, structural barriers prevented newly freed slaves and their families from accessing housing and work. Meanwhile, many white Americans felt wronged by Reconstruction and felt that freedom and equality would harm White people, according to the Equal Justice Initiative.

Despite opposition, including from then-President Andrew Jackson, Congress passed the 14th Amendment, granting Black Americans the right to citizenship and equal protections. During this time, a concept emerged known as “white backlash,” which describes white Americans’ anger about civil rights progress. Some scholars argue it persists to this day.

The Civil Rights movement. Fast-forward to the 1950s, and Black Americans still didn’t have equal protections or employment access. While many made gains in the federal workforce, racial segregation (and the racial wealth gap) persisted, stemming from a 1913 order from President Woodrow Wilson.

Keep reading here.—KP

Meta executives are eligible for bigger bonuses this year, according to a recent company filing. At the same time, though, most staffers at the tech company are seeing their equity compensation shrink, raising questions about worker morale.

Boosting bonuses. In a Feb. 13 filing Meta said named executive officers would be eligible for bonuses equivalent to up to 200% of their base salary in 2025, up from 75% previously. The company said its compensation committee approved the change after an analysis revealed executives’ total cash compensation was at or below the 15th percentile of those in similar positions at peer companies (CEO Mark Zuckerberg was excluded from the analysis). Their pay is now in the 50th percentile, according to the filing.

But even as Meta executives are receiving a potential pay bump, most employees’ equity-based compensation is shrinking, according to a Feb. 20 Financial Times report. Employees’ “equity refreshers,” which vest every three months and make up most of their pay along with base salaries and bonuses, will decrease by about 10% this year, they’ve reportedly been told.

Meta’s pay practices are in the spotlight. The changes to Meta’s compensation programs come shortly after the firm began laying off roughly 3,600 workers, citing performance-related reasons. In recent years the company has cut some 20,000 employees in a move to promote “efficiency,” and started to invest heavily in AI.

Keep reading here.—CV

In East Buffalo, New York, the median yearly income is just over $25,000. Two-thirds of the population lack a college degree, and the poverty rate is 39%. But after battery manufacturer Viridi moved into the old General Motors factory on Delavan Avenue in 2018, founder and CEO Jon Williams saw an opportunity.

Viridi made a $500,000 investment into a nonprofit called GreenForce, which trains East Buffalo residents in electronic proficiency and other battery manufacturing skills that help them assemble Viridi’s lithium-ion batteries. The nonprofit also helps Viridi’s more than 100 local employees with non-work related issues, like getting daycare, accessing transportation, acquiring adequate identification, and even raising money for employees amid family tragedies.

A fifth of Viridi’s current workforce was hired through GreenForce—which also gives equal opportunity to formerly incarcerated individuals.

Keep reading on Tech Brew.—TC