Summary
Donald Trump’s return to office is expected to trigger a widespread crackdown on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Institutions are already scaling back DEI programs out of fear of funding cuts, lawsuits, or political pressure, even in states without legal mandates.
Advocates warn of a “chilling effect,” with some universities overcomplying and misinterpreting restrictions. Companies like Walmart have also started reducing diversity efforts under pressure.
Experts predict this will be the most aggressive anti-DEI administration yet, forcing institutions to navigate legal and ethical challenges.
Many argue universities must resist and uphold academic freedom, even at financial risk.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion seems wrong when you don’t take into account all the various ways that systemic racism already screws over minorities.
Does it seem wrong that schools and companies will pick a minority vs a white person even if the minority candidate isn’t as qualified? Sure, I get why it might feel that way in a microcosm. In the macro-sense though, minorities on average make less money, live in worse neighborhoods and therefore wind up going to much worse schools, have less opportunities to get ahead and make money, and generally have a MUCH, MUCH tougher time breaking out and succeeding. White people purposely wrote laws that made it difficult for people to get ahead. Our society and laws are stacked against a lot of these people. DEI was a way to start trying to level the playing field, a way to start getting these people ahead, into better schools, more lucrative jobs…offering people a step up.
Getting rid of these initiatives is going to make things harder for a lot of people.