What does it mean that President Donald Trump disbanded diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives? His aim is to eliminate “racial/gender preference” and to focus strictly on merit.
The underlying assumption is that the workforce is equitable and that it is founded on merit and equal opportunity. However, this assumption is false. We have witnessed discrimination across the board, particularly against women, African Americans, and others deemed “minorities.” Disbanding such programs undermines fairness, which is actually promoted by these initiatives.
Since the Trump era, a widespread perception has emerged that DEI is detrimental, with the belief that individuals are hired solely based on their race or gender. This perception is entirely misguided. To be considered for a position, individuals must first be qualified. When merit is emphasized, it guarantees that minorities receive not just a fraction but a genuinely equitable share of opportunities.
In America, this scenario is rare, not the norm. It was one of the greatest insults to imply that Vice President Kamala Harris was a DEI hire.
The private sector often mirrors the government’s stance. We have already seen companies like Walmart and McDonald’s announce plans to eliminate their DEI programs. However, there is a key distinction between private companies and the government in this context. The government operates with our tax dollars, which is a significant factor.
Nevertheless, I wonder how companies will respond to customer boycotts. If their profits decline, will they reinstate DEI practices? I’m curious to observe how this plays out. For instance, 40% of McDonald’s customers are African American. If only 10% of those customers stopped supporting McDonald’s, it could create a substantial impact on their profits.
We have already witnessed DEI initiatives being removed from higher education institutions and how minority enrollment has dropped significantly. Trump is reshaping America, but not in a way that benefits everyone. It is inherently racist and favors the wealthiest individuals, the “oligarchs.” His policies set America back as a whole. Though I hope this isn’t his true intention, it seems to be the case, particularly as he issues Executive Orders at an alarming rate.
Trump’s policies lay the groundwork for racism and sexism, representing a significant regression.
