In recent years, the term “wokeness” has been at the center of heated debates, especially as conservatives criticize what they see as overreach by progressives pushing for greater diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). So, when the second Trump administration took aim at federal DEI initiatives, it didn’t come as much of a shock. But this time, the anti-DEI push goes far beyond recent policies—it’s shaking the foundation of long-standing efforts to combat discrimination in the workplace.
Here’s the lowdown:
This week, former President Donald Trump made a sweeping move by rescinding a 60-year-old executive order that barred government contractors from engaging in discriminatory practices related to hiring, firing, promotions, or pay. This executive order, originally signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, wasn’t just a political relic—it impacted nearly every major business in the U.S., from small companies to massive corporations, covering about a quarter of the country’s workforce.
Out With the Old, In With… This?
Trump’s replacement policy? A demand for employers to certify that their DEI programs are not what he calls “illegal.” To enforce this, he’s instructed federal agencies to identify and investigate nine organizations, including public companies and nonprofits, for potential violations.
The old order—known as EO 11246—had stood the test of time through Democratic and Republican administrations alike. It didn’t permit quotas, preferences, or set-asides; it simply ensured that workplaces made real efforts to prevent discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. In 2014, President Barack Obama expanded its protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity. But instead of rolling back specific amendments, Trump scrapped the entire policy and replaced it with one designed to dismantle DEI programs altogether.
What’s Really at Stake?
This isn’t just about policy tweaks. It signals a deeper rejection of the government’s responsibility to fight discrimination. For many in the MAGA movement, the narrative has shifted: they now see discrimination against white people as a bigger issue than discrimination against minority groups. Trump’s team argues that efforts to reduce discrimination for some groups inherently discriminate against others, twisting the idea of civil rights into a call for “color-blind” policies.
It’s a bold—and troubling—claim. By this logic, even acknowledging systemic discrimination is seen as discriminatory. The result? A push to reward “merit,” ignoring the deep inequalities that still exist.
A Step Backwards?
If this trend continues, it’s not hard to imagine a future where anti-discrimination policies themselves are labeled as discriminatory. Trump’s actions suggest that his administration doesn’t view the systemic discrimination of the past—particularly against Black Americans—as an issue worth addressing anymore. Instead, it frames efforts to tackle inequality as unnecessary, even harmful.
This isn’t just bad news for racial minorities. Women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others who have benefited from decades of hard-fought progress stand to lose, too. Masked under the guise of “meritocracy,” this shift could pave the way for a return to policies that favor white supremacy while claiming to be fair and impartial.
Why It Matters
At its core, this debate is about more than executive orders or DEI programs. It’s about the kind of society we want to build—one that acknowledges and addresses inequality or one that dismisses it as a thing of the past. For those who believe in fairness and opportunity for all, these policy changes are a call to action.
Let’s not lose sight of what’s at stake. Fighting discrimination isn’t about picking favorites—it’s about creating a level playing field where everyone, regardless of race, gender, or identity, has a fair shot at success.
