Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos CC BY 2.0 DEED, via Flickr / GPA Photo Archive PDM 1.0 DEED, via Flickr, Cropped by Resist the Mainstream

The recently appointed diversity chief at the State Department under the Biden administration has previously characterized America as a “failed historic model” and advocated for the dismantling of tradition “at every juncture” in the name of antiracism.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken made the announcement last week, emphasizing Zakiya Carr Johnson's perceived strengths in bringing a fresh perspective to the department's workforce composition.

Carr Johnson's background includes serving as a senior adviser to former President Barack Obama and directing the Race, Ethnicity, and Social Inclusion Unit at the State Department.

Blinken highlighted her track record in promoting entrepreneurship and access to opportunities for marginalized communities, along with her dedication to inclusive leadership.

Carr Johnson's professional history is not without scrutiny, however. She has founded two companies, Odara Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and Black Women Disrupt, an initiative aimed at amplifying the voices of Black women in creative fields.

Her YouTube channel, nevertheless, remains relatively obscure. Amassing a modest following of 125 subscribers.

Carr Johnson's approach centers around her advocacy for what she terms “feminist” leadership. She explicitly positions her brand of feminism in opposition to what she perceives as White-centered feminist ideologies. 

A significant aspect of Carr Johnson's work is her co-authorship of a toolkit guide titled “Feminist Leaders for Feminist Goals.” The guide calls for the redistribution of power to address entrenched patterns of male and White dominance, advocating for transformative change through feminist leadership.

She notably critiqued existing power structures rooted in patriarchy, colonialism, and racism, advocating for their dismantling in pursuit of social change in a webinar from August 2020.

Carr Johnson has been candid in her criticism of the United States' historical legacy, characterizing it as a “failed historic model” due to its colonial past and resistance to cultural shifts.

Her belief in the necessity of challenging traditional structures is evident in her writings and speeches, where she emphasizes the need for equity and the dismantling of structural racism, patriarchy, and heterosexism.

Carr Johnson's advocacy extends to the realm of critical race theory also, particularly the concept of intersectionality. She has emphasized the importance of understanding and addressing intersecting identities and resulting inequalities, both within organizational structures and broader societal contexts.

She championed the principles of critical race theory in March 2018, advocating for the demand for intersectionality across various spaces. Additionally, her company, Odara Solutions, has criticized female-directed diversity initiatives for allegedly favoring White women over women of color.

A State Department spokesperson expressed confidence in her leadership abilities in response to concerns raised about Carr Johnson's past statements and affiliations. Emphasizing her expertise in social inclusion, diversity, and equity, the spokesperson highlighted Carr Johnson's extensive experience in shaping public policy across government, development, and nonprofit sectors.

The spokesperson underscored the importance of reflecting the full diversity of America in foreign policy decision-making, citing its significance for national security and addressing the complexities of an increasingly interconnected world.

“Zakiya Carr Johnson is the Marxist Biden has installed as the State Department’s top DEI officer,” Amuse wrote on X.