The United States Department of Defense (US DOD) extinguishes identity months amid President Donald Trump’s claims to dismantle the DEI initiatives put forth by former President Joe Biden. That same day, President Trump officially recognized the observance of Black History during the month of February.
In President Trump’s inauguration speech on January 20, he pledged to “end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life.”
Ever since then, companies like Target, Amazon, and Walmart have rolled back on DEI initiatives. Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives attempt to correct discriminatory and prejudiced policies that are present within an organization or company. The new rollback decisions have led to continuous backlash from consumers, with some boycotting the brands.
Others, however, are commending the brands for their removal of the initiatives. “I’m sitting back and enjoying every second of this,” said conservative and Republican activist Robby Starbuck.
Recently, the US Department of Defense (US DOD), among other federal agencies, called for the immediate cessation of identity month celebrations during working hours.
According to a statement presented by the US DOD, the “efforts to divide the force – to put one group ahead of another – erode camaraderie and threaten mission execution.”
A former senior official had this to say about the guidance: “From an intelligence community perspective, I really think it could hurt our ability to do our job.”
Despite all of this, on January 31, President Trump signed the proclamation to recognize February as National Black History Month.
“I call upon public officials, educators, librarians, and all the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.” This comes just eleven days after President Trump’s pledge to “forge a society that is colorblind and merit based.”
In an interview with news anchor Micah Smith, Parker McMullen Bushman, CEO of Eco Inclusive Stragesties who has been a part of many national conversations about DEI, had this to say about the president’s recent proclamation to celebrate Black History Month:
“Black history is American history, and we have seen those that have come before us who have fought for these rights and there’s no policy or politician that can change that resilience that we have. And so I think that if the administration truly wants to honor Black history, it would recognize that diversity is not a threat but it’s our greatest strength as a nation.”
It is unclear whether the US DOD will lift their ban on identity month celebrations. When inquired, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters “the president is leading here at the White House.”
