The History of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Efforts in America
Ask students: What is DEI? What does it stand for? What are some examples in U.S. history of anti-discrimination efforts?
Since President Trump returned to the White House, he’s issued executive orders that target diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, dismantling decades of federal anti-discrimination policy. This Black History Month, John Yang explores the origins of DEI in America for our “Hidden Histories” series and Ali Rogin speaks with Dr. Shaun Harper of the USC Race and Equity Center for more.
View the transcript of the story.
Warm-Up Questions
- Who are some of the individuals and groups featured in this story?
- What is DEI? What does it stand for?
- What are some examples in U.S. history of anti-discrimination efforts?
- When did anti-discrimination or DEI policies in U.S. history get underway, according to this piece?
- Why has the Trump administration targeted DEI programs and employees at the federal level?
Focus Questions
- What do you think are the goals of DEI programs?
- Do you think intentionally making environments like schools, businesses and communities more inclusive and welcoming of people from all backgrounds is a worthwhile endeavor, or do you think it's better to let it happen naturally on its own? Explain.
- Why does Dr. Harper say DEI is being used as a political scapegoat?
Media literacy: What additional questions would you ask Dr. Harper about the current debate over DEI?
What Students Can Do
Dig deeper into understanding how DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) initiatives have become a central issue of Trump's second administration:
A. Why has the Trump administration cut DEI programs and jobs at the federal level — and why have both companies and nonprofit organizations followed suit? (Which US companies are pulling back on diversity initiatives? or Target says it is ending its DEI goals and programs, citing an ‘evolving external landscape’ or With public broadcasters pressured by the Trump administration, PBS shuts down its diversity office.)
- Media literacy check: Always check multiple sources and make sure the evidence supports the claim. You may have seen headlines about Trump blaming DEI policies for the D.C. plane crash: WATCH: White House repeats criticism of DEI efforts as crews investigate D.C. plane collision. "At a news conference Thursday, President Donald Trump — without evidence — cast blame on the helicopter pilots and baselessly alleged that diversity initiatives had undermined air safety," according to this report by the Associated Press. Why is it important to have evidence to back up a claim?
B. Watch this News Hour clip from What Trump voters think about his first weeks in office (starts automatically at 3:38) with Republican strategist Sarah Longwell about Trump's move to cut DEI programs. Stop clip at 5:45, or, if you would also like to hear Longwell and voters discuss the issue of gender, keep listening to the end. As always, preview content before sharing with your students).
Discuss why the Trump administration has moved in this direction, and whether or not you agree with the callers and why.
C. Check out PBS News Hour Classroom's resources for Black History Month here:
Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.
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