The Dangers of Anti-DEI Rhetoric: A Setback for America's Progress May 12, 20255

 President Donald J. Trump’s anti-Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiative and its accompanying rhetoric are not just misguided—they are dangerous. By targeting DEI programs and promoting propaganda that fosters division, this initiative threatens to institutionalise racial consciousness in America, setting us back from the hard-won progress made since the Emancipation Proclamation and the Civil Rights Act.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion have long been recognised as vital pillars of progress, ensuring that people from all backgrounds, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socio-economic status, have equal opportunities in education, the workplace, and society at large. These efforts are not a threat to unity; rather, they are an essential mechanism for healing the divisions that have long plagued our nation.

The anti-DEI rhetoric promoted by Trump and others is, at its core, rooted in fear and insecurity. It is an attempt to roll back the clock on civil rights advancements and to perpetuate a system where inequality and discrimination can continue unchecked. This rhetoric frames DEI initiatives as divisive when, in reality, these programs aim to bring people together by fostering understanding, empathy, and shared responsibility.

We have seen the devastating consequences of ignoring racial inequality throughout history. The Emancipation Proclamation and the Civil Rights Act were monumental steps toward racial justice, yet we are still grappling with the remnants of segregation, disenfranchisement, and systemic racism. The progress made over the past century has been hard-fought, and the victories of the Civil Rights Movement remain unfinished business.

To undo the progress of these landmark moments would be to deny the generations of Americans (Black, Indigenous, Latino, Asian, and other communities of colour) who have worked tirelessly to create a more just and inclusive society. The anti-DEI push is a direct challenge to the very values that these movements fought to secure: equality, respect, and opportunity for all.

The idea that DEI initiatives are divisive or unnecessary is not just an affront to those who benefit from them, but to the very notion of American unity. When we refuse to acknowledge the unique challenges faced by marginalised communities, we hinder our ability to come together as a nation. True unity is not about ignoring our differences; it is about celebrating and embracing them in a way that fosters understanding, collaboration, and progress.

President Trump’s anti-DEI stance represents a retreat from the progress that has made America a leader in civil rights. It’s not the path to making America great. The greatness of a nation lies not in its ability to preserve the status quo, but in its willingness to confront its flaws and make meaningful strides toward justice for all of its people.

The attacks on books and periodicals at the Department of Defence, the abrupt dismissal of General Brown as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on February 21, 2025, and President Donald Trump’s campaign against DEI represent significant setbacks to both our institutions and the spirit of inclusion.