Trump’s Executive Orders on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Explained
Amalea Smirniotopoulos
In January 2025, President Trump issued Executive Orders to terminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. The orders state that DEI policies threaten the safety of Americans by diminishing the values of hard work. The Legal Defense Fund article argues that hard work alone can’t be the only determining factor for most issues because not everyone starts out with the same opportunities. DEI programs help to level the field. The article states that ending DEI programs “will weaken our economy, endanger our national security, and threaten our multi-racial democracy”. The author feels that the Trump administration is overstepping and attempting to change existing federal civil rights laws.
In Rhode Island, state officials are fighting back against the cuts. The Rhode Island Department of Education Commissioner, Angelica Infante-Green and Senator Jack Reed visited Washington a few weeks ago. They participated in an education panel at the Capital and spoke about how funding cuts will negatively affect students and teachers in Rhode Island. The Commissioner alludes to the progress that has been made due to DEI funding and programming by saying that years ago when she started teaching, certain groups of students were placed in classrooms that were in the basement of the building. I’m assuming she is talking about students with significant disabilities.
Much of the focus of the DEI conversation is placed on race, but DEI programs in schools are put in place for many other reasons. The Trump Administration says, DEI doesn’t belong in schools, arguing that programs focused on diversity, equity and inclusion are discriminatory against racial groups “including white and Asian students.” A former teacher who helped develop DEI programs in Rhode Island stated in an interview that DEI policies are much broader and include programs for students with disabilities. DEI programs also include LGBTQ students. The Rhode Island Attorney General's office has advised schools to continue with these programs.
Not everyone in Rhode Island agrees with the pushback. Senate Minority Leader, Jessica de la Cruz, stated that she feels Rhode Island should comply with the order and not chance losing its federal funding.
I like that you spoke to the broadness of DEI it doesn't just include race and gender but affects many groups of people. Thank you for finding local news on the topic its nice to know how this is going to affect us.
ReplyDeleteYour local news articles and how RI responds to DEI was very interesting. DEI is broad and includes more than just race and gender which is something everyone needs to be reminded of as we move forward with DEI and executive orders.
ReplyDeleteSee how capitalism works they hold the MONEY over your head and keep you under their control. We have to intercept the money. We have to start making an impact on money. How do we move forward when people are afraid to loss funding so they just give in. How do we raise money and get some leverage. This is what is frustrating so RI admits that it is negative and harmful but we need the money? so when does having things become more important than the well being of your citizens. We have been overcome with greed and power in this country. Merit is another word for greedy and power tripping! Merit is achieved by education and if we are not providing a fair education then we can not run a community government or nation on merit.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the RI connections!!!
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