As I read the White House Executive Order on DEI and Full End of DEI EO by the White House and DEI Explained by Amalea Smirniotopoulos, I really was at a loss for words. I still am. 
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 set forth a crucial piece of legislation designed to outlaw discrimination and segregation based on race, gender, color, religion sex or national origin. Over time, additional federal laws such as the Americans with Disability Act were put into place to support, protect and expand upon these disparities. The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) is a concept that also emerged. The core components of DEI are easily represented by the definition of each word. Diversity: Ensuring representation of diverse identities, including race, gender, and ability. Equity: Providing fair access to resources and opportunities, tailored to individual needs. Inclusion: Building environments where everyone feels respected, supported, and empowered. Overall, DEI initiatives, programs and policies were created to promote an inclusive and equitable workplace.
The first EO produced by President Trump is an order to end DEI and its funding in the federal government with the purpose of serving the American citizens with dignity and reducing taxpayer resources. The second EO states that DEI and DEIA goes against the Civil Rights of Americans and order to end illegal preferencing and discriminating in the workforce to allow individual merit to be considered. In contrast, the article explaining the EO's reminds us that equal opportunity and discrimination is still protected under the Civil Rights Act and not through these EO's, but that removing them will do our economy, national security and democracy a major disservice.
As I did the readings, I felt they were very biased and more importantly, I felt as though I was tangibly holding the definition of white privilege and culture of power. The first EO by President Trump blatantly bashed President Biden's Administration. It felt ugly and unprofessional. It doesn't matter whether his term was effective or not, President Trump should not be criticizing his colleague to further segregate parties. His terminology throughout both of the orders was bold, to say the least. Something only a white, upper class, male could produce without repercussions.
But then, the explanatory article gave me a similar feeling. The article states Trump's orders are "spreading disinformation and distorting federal laws to advance an agenda based on division and hate" but then concludes it by saying "these EO's will weaken our economy, endanger our national security and threaten our multi-racial democracy". I feel these are also bold statements to make and add to the fear mongering that Trump is executing. Who is right here? Can they both be? To me, it felt like Trump's EO and the explanatory article further divide our nation.
On one hand, I feel I can't be naive to believe that these policies have been completely effective since discrimination and segregation is still a major issue in our society. It's what we have been learning about the past few weeks, and what many fellow classmates have shared they personally experienced their entire lives. My controversial thoughts felt validated when when I read "a 2020 study by Citi estimates that the United States' aggregate economic output would have been $16 trillion dollars high since 2000 if we had closed racial gaps in wages, access to higher education, lending and mortgage access". Another striking quote I read states, "the American Dream is not equally available to all". We can all agree and be thankful for the fact that America has come an incredibly long way since the Civil Rights Act was established six decades ago, yet something still isn't working. On the other hand, it's scary to think about what our economy would be like had these policies not been set forth. I guess it's something we are going to find out very soon now that provisions and orders have been implemented. It's just disheartening to know that we need policies like this because people just can't be fair to one another.
I found a clip from The View that I feel explained my feelings and ideas on this topic very well. I don't watch the show they're referencing but I can relate to every woman who spoke. The link is here.
I agree with your comment, "His terminology throughout both of the orders was bold, to say the least. Something only a white, upper-class male could produce without repercussions." If the shoe were on the other foot and President Obama said 1/2 the things in the Executive Orders that President Trump says, he would have been questioned, stopped, and put out of office w/in his first 100 days. I believe this current administration is taking us backward in time.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, I don't pay enough attention to politics. These articles opened my eyes to the situation at hand. You are right when you asked what kind of world would we be living in if it weren't for the laws imposed six decades ago.
ReplyDeleteSam, I can't help but feeling we are going backwards as a nation. I am hopeful that this generation of kids that we work with everyday will push us forward to a kinder America.
ReplyDeleteSam, I completely feel your frustration about "who is right" - it feels like for most issues in the US right now there are two extremes and like both are wrong, with most Americans looking for moderation and kindness but finding harshness instead. Still - it is hopeful that people do talk about creating a kinder world, even if we can't seem to agree on how or who is "right."
ReplyDeleteYah, honestly it was difficult to stomach reading them, especially with the level of unprofessionalism in the way it was written. It was the essence of pointing fingers. I resonated with your statement, "As I did the readings, I felt they were very biased and more importantly, I felt as though I was tangibly holding the definition of white privilege and culture of power. " It was literally the definition of the power of white privilege to say "not only is this not a problem anymore since we ended slavery blah blah, but it's also a waste of resources to further this for America". It feels like a dystopian side quest.
ReplyDeleteSam, I felt similar when reading both articles on the Executive orders. I was like whos right here and I felt manipulated as a citizen of this country.
ReplyDeleteI too admit that I should pay more attention to politics and the effects it how on society especially RI as a whole. I find it tough to stomach most of the time which is probably why I tend to not pay attention anymore. I also agree with the hope that we are moving towards a kinder generation ahead of us. I appreciated the pictures you decided to add to your blog.
ReplyDelete"Who is right here? Can they both be? " Such an important skill to hold two ideas in your brain at the same time.
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