A recent essay originally published in The Giving Review questions the effectiveness of current philanthropic trends that focus on “depolarization” initiatives, comparing them to longstanding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The author recounts an experience at the Woodson Center, where a grant proposal for their Voices of Black Mothers United (VBMU) initiative—aimed at fostering cooperation between mothers affected by violence and law enforcement—was rejected. Instead, funding was directed toward projects centered on “courageous conversations” designed to ease partisan tensions among middle-class communities.
The essay suggests that such depolarization efforts may not address more pressing issues like community violence in low-income neighborhoods. According to the author, “Had we known that the funders were more interested in increasing emotional comfort in the suburbs than they were in lowering homicide rates downtown, we would not have applied.”
Citing research, the piece notes limited success for interventions meant to reduce polarization: “A meta-analysis of 77 treatments from 25 published studies and two large-scale experiments reveals only ‘modest effects’ that evaporated in two weeks. The authors conclude that these interventions ‘serve as valuable tools for testing the psychological mechanisms of polarization, but our findings indicate they are not, on their own, a scalable solution for reducing societal-level conflict.'”
The article draws parallels with DEI training programs that have also been criticized for lacking long-term impact. As referenced from a study by Frank Dobbin and Alexandra Kalev: “The positive effects of diversity training rarely last beyond a day or two, and a number of studies suggest that it can activate bias or spark a backlash.”
Instead of focusing on direct confrontation or problem-centered approaches, the essay advocates building connections through shared goals and activities. Drawing on experiences from grassroots leaders and referencing Bob Woodson’s perspective from his book *The Triumphs of Joseph*, it is argued: “‘Experts,’ whose careers … depend on the existence of a problem, can write about the problem, consult about it…they can do everything but solve the problem.” The author believes local community members often find more success by empowering individuals rather than lecturing them about risks or problems.
As an example of alternative strategies, the Woodson Center responded to narratives emphasizing suffering within Black American history by developing educational resources highlighting stories of resilience and achievement. These materials have reportedly been downloaded over 325,000 times across all states and received positive feedback from educators with diverse viewpoints.
The essay concludes with skepticism about whether current depolarization methods will prove effective over time: “Maybe depolarization efforts based on getting people to talk directly about their disagreements will eventually bear significant fruit… But if they don’t, only funders will decide if they become the next decades-long blackhole for time and money.”
