You’re nobody until somebody kills you: the ingredients of black death for social justice and D̶E̶I̶ DIE

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this article, we utilized Charles Mills’ racial contract and Derrick Bell’s interest-convergence as theories to anchor our understanding of the exploitation of Black death to bolster institutional DEI efforts. We argue that mainstream forms of sociopolitical progress have emerged in the wake of Black death. In essence, Black death precedes and is necessary for the enactment – often performatively – of institutional social justice efforts. Accordingly, policy and practice connected to diversity, equity, and inclusion, referred to as DEI, accurately reframed can be designated as DIE – a state in which the efforts of justice do not take place until the principal ingredient of Black death is added.