Lemmings only deal with what is directly in front of them. Plus the economy isn't great so they're paying a little more attention.

Affirmative action is a background process: you didn't receive the job offer, the promotion, the scholarship, etc. You aren't told it's because you're White.

DEI is being explicitly told you're evil for being White (or that there need to be more non-Whites in upper management, or whatever) to your face.