Black Americans, Share Your Take On The Trump Administration’s DEI Rollback And How It Will Impact The Country
Written by Black Hot Fire Network on February 9, 2025
In his first few weeks in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order calling for an end to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in the federal government, arguing that these initiatives hinder “merit-based” hiring, promotions, and education opportunities. “DEI would’ve ruined our country, and now it’s dead,” Trump said to the press.
This ending of federal DEI programs has led countless private corporations like Walmart and Target, as well as public universities like the University of North Carolina, to eliminate their own DEI initiatives.
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Following Trump’s executive order, Trump’s Department of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered all military departments to stop recognizing or celebrating cultural history or heritage months via a news release just before Black History Month.
“Going forward, DoD Components and Military Departments will not use official resources, to include man-hours, to host celebrations or events related to cultural awareness months, including National African American/Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Pride Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and National American Indian Heritage Month,” the news release stated.
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So, this Black History Month, we’re asking Black Americans in the BuzzFeed Community to share their thoughts on the Trump Administration’s recent move to eliminate DEI initiatives and the trickle-down effect on how the country views diversity.
As a Black student who has benefited from DEI outreach in education, you may support more DEI initiatives, as they’ve helped you to attend an Ivy League university.
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As a job recruiter, you may not support DEI programs in the workforce, as you view it as an unfair advantage for Black employees.
Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
Maybe you’re undecided about DEI programs and feel they should be modified.
Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
Black Americans, please share your views in the comments below or via this anonymous Google form. Your response could be featured in an upcoming post.
