“As Inclusion Disappears, My Mask Reappears”

“As DEI programs fade and inclusion efforts stall, many of us feel a familiar pressure returning. Overtly or covertly, we are no longer encouraged to be ourselves at work, but to mask and conform to neurotypical standards again. The pressure is on, yet again, to people-please – to be extra easy, extra agreeable, extra adaptable, and to act like everything is fine. And it’s exhausting.”