The anti-DEI agenda (1 Viewer)

[zztop]

I thought there was already a topic about DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) but I could not find it in search.
Anyway, it seems one of the main goals for republicans is to destroy anything (even if only vaguely) DEI related

The Anti-DEI Agenda Is Reprogramming America

President Trump’s anti-DEI playbook doesn’t just affect the makeup of America’s workplaces. It also impacts cultural production. Just ask Netflix’s former head of diversity.

www.wired.com

Arlington Cemetery website drops links for Black, Hispanic, and women veterans

The cemetery website unpublished links to lists of notable graves, walking tours and other material about Black, Hispanic and women veterans.

taskandpurpose.com

 

[Optimus Prime]

New York state officials have told the Trump administration that they will not comply with its demands to end diversity, equity and inclusion practices in public schools, despite the administration’s threats to terminate federal education funding.

Daniel Morton-Bentley, counsel and deputy commissioner of the state’s department of education, said in a letter dated Friday to the federal education department that state officials do not believe the federal agency has authority to make such demands.

“We understand that the current administration seeks to censor anything it deems ‘diversity, equity & inclusion,’” he wrote. “But there are no federal or state laws prohibiting the principles of DEI.”

Morton-Bentley also wrote state officials were “unaware” of any authority the federal Department of Education has to demand that states agree with its interpretation of court decisions or to terminate funding without a formal administrative process.

The US Department of Education did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment.

The Trump administration on Thursday ordered K-12 schools nationwide to certify within 10 days that they are following federal civil rights laws and ending any discriminatory DEI practices, as a condition for receiving federal money. Federal funding comprises about 6% of the total funding for New York K-12 schools.

“Federal financial assistance is a privilege, not a right,” Craig Trainor, acting assistant secretary for civil rights, said in a statement when the demand was made. He said many schools have flouted their legal obligations, “including by using DEI programs to discriminate against one group of Americans to favor another.”………….

New York schools tell Trump administration they won’t comply with DEI order

State officials say they don’t believe US Department of Education has authority to demand end to DEI practices

www.theguardian.com

 

[Optimus Prime]

Absolutely shameful
===============


For years, a National Park Service webpageintroduced the Underground Railroad with a large photograph of its most famous “conductor,” Harriet Tubman.

“The Underground Railroad — the resistance to enslavement through escape and flight, through the end of the Civil War — refers to the efforts of enslaved African Americans to gain their freedom by escaping bondage,” the page began.

Tubman’s photograph is now gone. In its place are images of Postal Service stamps that highlight “Black/White cooperation” in the secret network and that feature Tubman among abolitionists of both races.

The introductory sentence is gone, too. It has been replaced by a line that makes no mention of slavery and that describes the Underground Railroad as “one of the most significant expressions of the American civil rights movement.” The effort “bridged the divides of race,” the page now says.

The executive order that President Donald Trump issued late last month directing the Smithsonian Institution to eliminate “divisive narratives” stirred fears that the president aimed to whitewash the stories the nation tells about itself.

But a Washington Post review of websites operated by the National Park Service — among the key agencies charged with the preservation of American history — found that edits on dozens of pages since Trump’s inauguration have already softened descriptions of some of the most shameful moments of the nation’s past.

Some were edited to remove references to slavery. On other pages, statements on the historic struggle of Black Americans for their rights were cut or softened, as were references to present-day echoes of racial division. The Post compared webpages as of late March to earlier versions preserved online by the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine.

Changes in images, descriptions and even individual words have subtly reshaped the meaning of notable moments and key figures dating to the nation’s founding — abolitionist John Brown’s doomed raid, the battle at Appomattox and school integration by the Little Rock Nine.

An educational page on Benjamin Franklin, which examined his views on slavery and his ownership of enslaved people, was taken offline last month, the review found. Mentions of Thomas Stone, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, owning enslaved people were removed from several pages on the website of the Stone National Historic site in Southern Maryland.

A reference to other “enslaved African Americans” in that region was changed to “enslaved workers.”………..

On the website of Minute Man National Historical Park in Lincoln, Massachusetts, a passage about the lack of recognition for Black soldiers who fought for American independence was removed.

“Why don’t we hear more about this part of the American Revolution,” the passage began, according to archived versions of the site.

“Unfortunately, systemic racism and historical bias have erased or buried many records of Black and Indigenous people who played a prominent role in the founding of the United States.”

A statement about the legacy of John Brown, who hoped to start a revolt by enslaved people in the run-up to the Civil War, was removed from a pageon the website of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park in West Virginia.

“John Brown’s complex legacy remains a powerful symbol in America’s ongoing dialogue on race, justice, and the fight against oppression,” the line said.

Extensive changes were made to multiple Park Service pages about the Underground Railroad, and a landing page directing children to educational materials about it has been offline since last month.

Since 1998, the Park Service has been required by federal law to recognize the Underground Railroad and to produce educational materials about it………

A page about the Niagara Movement, a group founded in 1905 by the African American civil rights leader W.E.B. Du Bois, was changed to remove two references to the struggle for “equality.”

For example, a description of the group’s “renewed sense of resolve in the struggle for freedom and equality” became simply its “renewed sense of resolve.”

Shawn Leigh Alexander, a Du Bois biographer and professor at the University of Kansas, described the alterations as “subtle yet profound” in suggesting that racism no longer required confrontation in the United States at the time.


“Although these changes may appear inconsequential to some, they collectively contribute to the erasure of the historical narrative of Black struggle for civil, political, and economic rights, which continues to this day,” he said.………

Amid anti-DEI push, National Park Service rewrites history of Underground Railroad​

https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2025/04/06/national-park-service-underground-railroad-history-slavery/

 

[Optimus Prime]

American corporations didn’t want to diversify, anyway

After the murder of George Floyd, many companies turned to diversity initiatives that weren’t actually designed to bring change. That’s why they’re dropping them as quickly as they created them

www.theguardian.com

 

[Optimus Prime]

A Defense Department task force is embarking on a series of visits to military installations and service academies to oversee the implementation of a directive to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

Led by Jules W. Hurst III, the task force is charged with ensuring that the "Restoring America's Fighting Force" memorandum, issued by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on January 29, 2025, is fully understood and executed. The memo mandated the dismantling of DEI offices and initiatives across the Department of Defense.

Hurst explained to DOD News that the visits are intended to "ensure the president and secretary's intent and guidance are being carried out across the department." This includes verifying that service academies are operating under "solely merit-based practices."

The task force will engage with leaders and service members to gather feedback on the implementation process, identify any challenges encountered, and provide support. Hurst emphasized the need for "frank feedback, honesty and candor" to ensure consistency in the application of the policy.

The report indicates that the task force is monitoring the removal of content considered "culturally and historically significant" to ensure compliance with the directive, while also cautioning against being "overzealous."...............

DOD Task Force To Ensure Removal Of DEI Initiatives At Military Installations

A Defense Department task force is embarking on a series of visits to military installations and service academies to oversee the implementation of a

www.tampafp.com

 

[Optimus Prime]

Absolutely shameful
===============


For years, a National Park Service webpageintroduced the Underground Railroad with a large photograph of its most famous “conductor,” Harriet Tubman.

“The Underground Railroad — the resistance to enslavement through escape and flight, through the end of the Civil War — refers to the efforts of enslaved African Americans to gain their freedom by escaping bondage,” the page began.

Tubman’s photograph is now gone. In its place are images of Postal Service stamps that highlight “Black/White cooperation” in the secret network and that feature Tubman among abolitionists of both races.

The introductory sentence is gone, too. It has been replaced by a line that makes no mention of slavery and that describes the Underground Railroad as “one of the most significant expressions of the American civil rights movement.” The effort “bridged the divides of race,” the page now says.

The executive order that President Donald Trump issued late last month directing the Smithsonian Institution to eliminate “divisive narratives” stirred fears that the president aimed to whitewash the stories the nation tells about itself.

But a Washington Post review of websites operated by the National Park Service — among the key agencies charged with the preservation of American history — found that edits on dozens of pages since Trump’s inauguration have already softened descriptions of some of the most shameful moments of the nation’s past.

Some were edited to remove references to slavery. On other pages, statements on the historic struggle of Black Americans for their rights were cut or softened, as were references to present-day echoes of racial division. The Post compared webpages as of late March to earlier versions preserved online by the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine.

Changes in images, descriptions and even individual words have subtly reshaped the meaning of notable moments and key figures dating to the nation’s founding — abolitionist John Brown’s doomed raid, the battle at Appomattox and school integration by the Little Rock Nine.

An educational page on Benjamin Franklin, which examined his views on slavery and his ownership of enslaved people, was taken offline last month, the review found. Mentions of Thomas Stone, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, owning enslaved people were removed from several pages on the website of the Stone National Historic site in Southern Maryland.

A reference to other “enslaved African Americans” in that region was changed to “enslaved workers.”………..

On the website of Minute Man National Historical Park in Lincoln, Massachusetts, a passage about the lack of recognition for Black soldiers who fought for American independence was removed.

“Why don’t we hear more about this part of the American Revolution,” the passage began, according to archived versions of the site.

“Unfortunately, systemic racism and historical bias have erased or buried many records of Black and Indigenous people who played a prominent role in the founding of the United States.”

A statement about the legacy of John Brown, who hoped to start a revolt by enslaved people in the run-up to the Civil War, was removed from a pageon the website of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park in West Virginia.

“John Brown’s complex legacy remains a powerful symbol in America’s ongoing dialogue on race, justice, and the fight against oppression,” the line said.

Extensive changes were made to multiple Park Service pages about the Underground Railroad, and a landing page directing children to educational materials about it has been offline since last month.

Since 1998, the Park Service has been required by federal law to recognize the Underground Railroad and to produce educational materials about it………

A page about the Niagara Movement, a group founded in 1905 by the African American civil rights leader W.E.B. Du Bois, was changed to remove two references to the struggle for “equality.”

For example, a description of the group’s “renewed sense of resolve in the struggle for freedom and equality” became simply its “renewed sense of resolve.”

Shawn Leigh Alexander, a Du Bois biographer and professor at the University of Kansas, described the alterations as “subtle yet profound” in suggesting that racism no longer required confrontation in the United States at the time.


“Although these changes may appear inconsequential to some, they collectively contribute to the erasure of the historical narrative of Black struggle for civil, political, and economic rights, which continues to this day,” he said.………

Amid anti-DEI push, National Park Service rewrites history of Underground Railroad​

https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2025/04/06/national-park-service-underground-railroad-history-slavery/

Even if it’s true that these changes were made without approval it’s also true that whoever made the changes thought there were doing the right thing in line with what they thought the administration wanted

And that thought would be 100% correct. After everything else we’ve seen and heard why would that not be a reasonable assumption?

I don’t believe they’re upset at the charges made at all, they’re upset that the backlash is more than what they were expecting
====================


The National Park Service has restored mentions of Black abolitionist Harriet Tubmanand the Underground Railroad on its website after their removal sparked backlash.

The NPS, which manages national parks, monuments and other natural, historical and recreational properties, said the changes had been done without approval.

“Changes to the Underground Railroad page on the National Park Service’s website were made without approval from NPS leadership nor Department leadership. The webpage was immediately restored to its original content,” the agency told The Independent in a statement.

The changes were first reported by The Washington Post. Some of the modifications included replacing a photo of Tubman with images of Postal Service stamps highlighting cooperation between Black and white abolitionists within the Underground Railroad. Tubman was one of the numerous faces in the replaced images.…….

National Park Service restores removed Harriet Tubman webpage after backlash

NPS said its leadership did not approve changes to Underground Railroad pages

www.independent.co.uk

 

[Optimus Prime]

Donald Trump’s administration has fired a top, female U.S. military officer at NATO, after she appeared on a so-called “woke” list.

Navy Vice Admiral Shoshana Chatfield – a combat veteran and helicopter pilot – was let go, officials announced on Monday. She was the only woman on NATO's military committee.

Although no reason was given, officials said it was apparently tied to comments Chatfield has made that supported diversity in the force. She has previously appeared on a list of senior military officers targeted as “woke” by the conservative research group American Accountability Foundation.

According to The Associated Press, Chatfield was informed by Admiral Christopher Grady, the acting chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, that the administration wanted to go in a different direction with the job.

Chatfield has been known to be a vocal advocate of diversity in the force, contrary to remarks made by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Donald Trump.…….

Trump fires US military official at NATO - after she appeared on a ‘woke’ list

Navy Vice Admiral Shoshana Chatfield – a combat veteran and helicopter pilot – was fired over the weekend

www.independent.co.uk

 

[Optimus Prime]

 

[Optimus Prime]

Nearly two dozen US law firms have quietly scrubbed references to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) from their website and revised descriptions of pro-bono work to more closely align with Donald Trump’s priorities, a Guardian review has found, underscoring the Trump administration’s successful campaign of intimidation against the legal profession.

The changes, which have occurred at some of the nation’s most prestigious firms, include eliminating mention of pro-bono immigration work from firm websites and deleting sections entirely related to DEI.

In some cases, firms appear to have dropped the word “diversity” from descriptions of their work. In at least one case, a change included revising a quote from firm partners to eliminate mention of diversity and inclusion.

The Guardian contacted all of the firms mentioned in this story. None responded to a request for comment.

The changes come as the president has waged a blunt and anti-democratic attack on DEI programs as well as the legal profession. He has sought to punish firms and lawyers who challenge him in court.

He has used executive orders to punish five firms that have connections to political rivals, revoking their lawyers’ ability to access government buildings, security clearances, and making it extremely difficult for them to represent any client with business before the federal government.

Trump has specifically pointed to diversity programs at the firms he has targeted. Several firms have reached agreements with the president to avoid executive orders in which they have agreed not to use DEI in hiring.

Many of the steps taken by law firms to capitulate to Trump are being tracked in a speradsheet by the Coalition for Justice, an alliance of progressive student organizations at Georgetown law school in Washington DC. About a dozen students are keeping a spreadsheet of how hundreds of firms are responding.

“The administration’s attacks are so blatantly illegal and unconstitutional that the law firms choosing to comply in advance is really a slap in the face for the legal profession,” said Mari Latibashvili, a second-year law student who is a leader of Coalition for Justice and has been helping with the tracker.

“It’s them saying that they’re not willing to stand up for these very basic fundamental constitutional rights – the rule of law, legal ethics and just freedom of speech and expression – I think are just fundamental things that we all learn about first year of law school.”………

US law firms quietly scrub DEI references from websites to appease Trump

Changes at two dozen prestigious firms underscore Trump’s successful intimidation campaign against legal profession

www.theguardian.com

 

[MT15]

So much for the lawyers helping us out of this mess.