DEI isn't intended to be "colorblind", it explicitly suggests that employers give consideration to applicants from disparaged demographics, who may have otherwise been ignored during the application process. It doesn't, however, imply hiring quotas; there is no such thing as "a DEI hire".

Many people seem to confuse DEI for Affirmative Action, as evidenced above. This article explains the differences pretty succinctly: https://natlawreview.com/article/dei-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-v-affirmative-action-they-are-not-same

While Affirmative Action is often seen as a legal and policy-driven approach, DEI is more about cultural transformation and ongoing efforts to create a supportive and inclusive workplace. Both are crucial for building a fair and equitable society, but they operate on different levels and address different aspects of inequality. DEI initiatives, though can impact hiring, focus on the workplace and people in it. The intent is to embrace the collective, minimize bias and treat others in a respectful and understanding manner.