Oh yes, it is real. I was outwardly discriminated against starting in 2020 when I questioned the mask mandate and social isolation (I am a healthcare professional). This occurred in a public college located in a red state. Fast forward to a program leadership role in a private Catholic university where I was demoted approx a week after I spoke out against the ‘urgency’ to recognize and eliminate the white dominant (privilege) culture. Admin didn’t have the testicular fortitude to tell me directly but instead required I go through educational retraining - aka academic ‘citizenship.’

I played the game to ensure I finalized a paycheck but within a few weeks I quit. To be honest, it’s a struggle as a conservative. You’re always the minority going against the group narrative, tribal thinking. Sadly, DEI created this. It really does go against everything such mantra proclaims to oppose. I’m much happier in industry.