By Halycon Westmaas
NBCI Trust, Community Outreach Manager
There will be long-term consequences for the United States of America as deliberate and strategic attacks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives intensify—along with efforts to undermine Black History Month and other celebratory milestones. The fate of Affirmative Action, already weakened, in both the near and distant future marks a catastrophic setback in the historical fight against racism in the United States. It signals a disturbing escalation—one that reveals blatant racism at the highest levels of government. The struggle ahead will be long and arduous. Make no mistake, while Black Americans are often positioned at the lowest rung among those who benefit from DEI initiatives and programs, the dismantling of these initiatives further deepens existing disparities.
Given the relentless assaults on American democracy and the hard-won gains of the civil rights movement, it is imperative that Black Americans—alongside allies in other communities—forge a new civil rights movement capable of confronting the racist horrors that lie ahead. Activists and advocates are up to the task and ready to defend the future of Black America and democracy. We are not stepping back. We will continue moving forward to embrace our cultural history and build on the fight our ancestors bravely instituted.
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