Words to live by in 2025 and beyond
The 'Secretary of Explaining Stuff' comes up with a winner for challenging times.
Don’t wuss out.
That’s my resolution for 2025. It originated with Bill Clinton, which should not be a surprise. Barack Obama used to call him the Secretary of Explaining Stuff, and that’s what Clinton was doing at a conference last month. Some of his “explaining” has been resonating with me ever since I read about it.
The question at hand was how businesses should handle the “war on woke” – aka the war on diversity, equity and inclusion.
“I’ve made a huge number of decisions. Therefore, I’ve made a not-insignificant number of errors. And the one thing I believe is that diverse groups make better decisions than homogenous ones,” Clinton said at the New York Times DealBook Summit.
“I think it’s overblown, the anti-D.E.I. thing, but I think if we want to keep it and we believe in diversity, we shouldn’t wuss out about it. You don’t have to be hateful or arrogant or all that. You just have to say, I’m sorry, I disagree. And here’s why I disagree: One, two, three. And there’s probably plenty of room for old white guys in suits like me in any kind of rearrangement.”
There are several crucial points crammed into those few sentences, among them Explainer Guy’s common-sense reminders to disagree without being a jerk, calmly explain your reasons for disagreeing, and reassure people they won’t be left out or behind.
That’s invaluable guidance in any context. But my main takeaway for this new year and the next four years is what Clinton said right before that: Don’t “wuss out” if you believe in something and want it to last. Those are words to live by, whether it’s a company trying to stay diverse or America trying to stay a democracy that’s committed to civility, respect, self-determination, the Constitution and the rule of law.
It’s an easy shot but also true to note that Donald Trump, when he disagrees with someone, worries not a fraction of a whit about being hateful or arrogant. And even he may not be able to match shadow president Elon Musk, who set a high bar with his post-Christmas “F--- YOURSELF in the face” response to critics of his immigration views.
Trump in particular does not incline toward giving rational, fact-based explanations of why he plans to do something, how the nation can afford it, or what impact it will have on individuals or the economy. This encompasses his looming tariff and trade war disasters and his even more disastrous mass internment and deportation plans.
It also applies to the raft of top Trump nominees who are not only utterly unsuited to the jobs they want, but are also anathema to national security and public health. Then there are the culture warriors, led by Project 2025 architect Russ Vought, Trump’s once and likely future budget director.
There’s a solid template out there for how to “not wuss out.” In this case, the problem is DEI and the solution comes from Costco. The right-wing National Center for Public Policy Research wants Costco shareholders at their Jan. 23 meeting to request a “report on the risks of maintaining its DEI efforts.” Costco is almost alone among “major public companies” in explicitly resisting the backlash against DEI, Michael Hiltzik writes in the Los Angeles Times.
“The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote AGAINST this proposal,” the board memo begins. We believe, they said, that “our commitment to an enterprise rooted in respect and inclusion is appropriate and necessary. The report requested by this proposal would not provide meaningful additional information to our shareholders.”
This is resistance in a polite, calm, firm and rational manner – just what the explainer secretary prescribed:
Our success at Costco Wholesale has been built on service to our critical stakeholders: employees, members, and suppliers. Our efforts around diversity, equity and inclusion follow our code of ethics:
For our employees, these efforts are built around inclusion–having all of our employees feel valued and respected. Our efforts at diversity, equity and inclusion remind and reinforce with everyone at our Company the importance of creating opportunities for all. We believe that these efforts enhance our capacity to attract and retain employees who will help our business succeed. This capacity is critical because we owe our success to our now over 300,000 employees around the globe.
We welcome members from all walks of life and backgrounds. As our membership diversifies, we believe that serving it with a diverse group of employees enhances satisfaction. Among other things, a diverse group of employees helps bring originality and creativity to our merchandise offerings, promoting the "treasure hunt" that our customers value. That group also helps to provide insights into the tastes and preferences of our members. And we believe (and member feedback shows) that many of our members like to see themselves reflected in the people in our warehouses with whom they interact.
Having diversity in our supplier base, including appropriate attention to small businesses, is beneficial for many of the same reasons diversity benefits our Company. We believe that it fosters creativity and innovation in the merchandise and services that we offer our members.
The fray reignites on Friday when Congress returns to be sworn in and to elect leaders. “Don’t wuss out” is a good mantra for what’s ahead. Don’t go nuclear, but don’t back off or back down. Choose your fights. Make your points, over and over and over, with strength and logic and (reasonable) volume. Hope they are noticed. Hope they sink in. Hope they persuade. Then take a break and chill, and start again.
I’ve personally taken a couple of breaks since the election, but I’ve also written a half dozen pieces for The Bulwark. If you missed any and are interested, here they are – from most recent (12/30) to the first thing I wrote after Nov. 5:
On bipartisanship: Trump’s Billionaires and Hardliners Don’t Know or Care How Washington Works. And we’re all going to suffer the consequences.
On resisting nihilism: Senate Republicans Could Still Deny Trump His Worst Picks. Don’t give up hope—it’s too soon for anticipatory disappointment.
On how to help: Advice to Funders: Protect Democracy Defenders Who Stand Up to Trump. Trump threatens all who dare to challenge him. Help them stay safe and hire lawyers.
On what we need now: The ‘Son of a Bitch’ Is Back. So What Comes Next? Biden promised and delivered a return to norms. Now it’s time to raise hell. For as long as it takes.
On how to get an administration job: Trump’s Putting Together a Team of Outlaws. It’s a cabinet in his image: narcissistic, corrupt, and dangerous to America.
On pacing yourself: What’s Next for a Trump-Era Corruption Watchdog? Tips on how to keep your head from exploding before it's absolutely necessary.
Thank you for reading, and I’ll try to write this newsletter more often. I can’t complain about a lack of material, that’s for sure.
Wonderful, thank you.
Thank you so much Jill.