DEI Rollbacks, Black History, and NYC Schools: Here and Now 5/25/25

DEI Rollbacks and Historical Erasure

• 🎯 DEI rollbacks under the Trump administration are viewed as an attempt to erase Black history and a significant portion of American history.
• 💡 Dr. Khalil Muhammad explains that Trump's objective is to correct for what he perceives as 60 years of discrimination against white people, stemming from the Civil Rights era.
• ⚠️ These attacks on DEI extend beyond race to encompass gender, sexuality, and disability, aiming to dismantle policies enacted for equality and opportunity.

Public Reaction and Institutional Response

• 📉 Donald Trump's mandate is questioned, with turnout being lower than in previous elections, suggesting a segment of Americans are uncomfortable with the "racial reckoning" of 2020.
• 🏛️ Authoritarian leaders test waters with small lies and scapegoating; attacks on DEI started with federal agencies and moved to K-12 and elite universities like Harvard.
• 🚫 Harvard's response to attacks on its racism class was silence, which Dr. Muhammad argues allowed the situation to worsen, highlighting a disconnect between its motto of "Veritas" (truth) and its actions.
• ⚖️ Universities and corporations are either eliminating DEI programs or rebranding them to appease the current administration, despite the persistent reality of racial disparities.

White American Fears and Meritocracy

• 😨 A fundamental fear among some white Americans is losing the perceived superiority they held for centuries.
• ✊ Laws restricting the teaching of racism and gender equality are seen as a way to discipline white people from embracing equity and to prevent others from changing attitudes.
• 📜 The argument for a purely merit-based society is challenged, as American society was historically predicated on the idea of white male intellectual superiority, a notion that is only recently being dismantled.

Pathways to Action

• 📢 Three effective pathways to combat these issues are identified: protest, supporting journalism, and litigation.
• ⚖️ Organizations like the ACLU and NAACP LDF are crucial in filing lawsuits to uphold the rule of law.
• 😴 Complacency and the myth of American exceptionalism can lead to a false sense of security, ignoring historical precedents of conflict and genocide.

NYC Schools Initiative: NYCPS CARES

• 🤝 The NYCPS CARES initiative is a holistic approach by New York City public schools to address systemic inequities, focusing on safety, wellness, mental health, vaping, and bullying.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The program trains family members and student leaders to be partners in education and to help address issues facing public education.
• 🏫 Family connectors will be trained on available city resources for issues like housing insecurity, food insecurity, and domestic violence, aiming to build trust with parents.
• 🗣️ Students are leading anti-bullying and anti-vaping campaigns, using their voices and agency to spread messaging through PSAs and social media.
• 📚 New York City's diversity is considered a superpower, and DEI work is deeply integrated into curriculum and instruction, including the "Hidden Voices" curriculum and ensuring representation in teachers.

Preparing Students for Healthcare Careers

• 🏥 The Institute for Health Professions in Queens prepares students for healthcare careers, with graduates becoming certified EMTs, nursing assistants, and pharmacy techs.
• 🚀 The school, founded in 2013, partners with institutions like Northwell Health and Hofstra University, offering hands-on training and industry exposure.
• 📚 Students participate in extensive practical skill labs, ambulance rotations, and clinical work, preparing them for immediate employment or further education.
• 💪 The school emphasizes leadership, scholarship, and service, with students taking on leadership roles and participating in national competitions.

Tamron Hall's Children's Book: Harlem Honey

• 🍯 Tamron Hall's children's book, "Harlem Honey: The Adventures of a Curious Kid," is inspired by her son, Moses, and celebrates Harlem as a cultural hub.
• 🌍 The book aims to teach children about facing fears, embracing new places and people through curiosity and adventure.
• 👦 It also addresses the importance of social and emotional growth for boys, aiming to empower them alongside girls.
• 📚 The book highlights iconic Harlem locations and experiences, serving as a love letter to the neighborhood and a tool for parents to discuss courage with their children.