President Donald Trump’s move to do away with diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the federal government has made waves in both the public and private sectors.

Companies like Walmart, Target and McDonald’s recently moved to abandon their DEI initiatives.

Backers of Trump’s decision say these practices were discriminatory and promoted inequity. But advocates argue social equity initiatives are essential to create a fair and balanced society.

On Trump’s first day in office he signed an executive order banning DEI programs and policies claiming the practices created unfair opportunities for unqualified individuals.

“The United States Constitution has long said that everybody should have equal protection under the law, which means the government should treat people equally, without regard to their race or to their sex, and to the extent that there have been programs implemented that want to take those factors into account. That was a step in the wrong direction,” said Jacob Huebert, president of the Liberty Justice Center.

The practices of DEI started as a response to the work of the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s, and prior to the 1960s, under the Jim Crow era. Advocates say despite legislation there needs to be efforts made toward equity and inclusion across the government, as these efforts are still not practiced. DEI acted as an incentive to ensure equality is practiced, they say.

“We constantly held this idea of equality, with this refusal to do the work of equity. And this is why, for them, they’re saying equity is discriminatory. Discrimination is not our enemy. Prejudice is our enemy,” said Xavier Ramey, CEO of Justice Informed. “We have to be clear about this fact that when we’re trying to rectify the past, it’s not just because the past is the past. It’s because it’s here right now. The children of Frederick Douglass still don’t have as much as the children of George Washington.”

Huebert says the current civil rights laws in place allow those who have suffered from racial discrimination to sue and remedy these acts. In order to create equity across the board, Huebert argues states and cities need to focus their efforts on improving the qualities of schools in marginalized communities and underprivileged neighborhoods to create better candidates for the workforce.

“The reality is we have enough Black people coming out of these institutions with juris doctorates who are not getting hired,” counters Ramey. “That’s not a question of education, that’s a question of access, and that’s where we’re saying it’s an accountability issue.”

Ramey argues the discussion of the quality of education systems is based on electoral politics and voting patterns.

“Why are White folks doing better even when they’re in the same pool? Is it cause they’re smarter than us? No. They have far more resources that are provided for them as an assumption of their right versus us where it’s seen as charity,” said Ramey. 

However, Huebert believes too much government involvement acts more as a hindrance than assistance.

“I don’t take the attitude that we need government to give people a leg up, to give people special privileges or anything like that,” said Huebert. “I believe in people enough to think that just getting out of their way and letting them choose the education that best suits them, letting them pursue economic opportunity is going to be a way for everybody to do well.”

As a result of Trump’s executive order, some private companies have abandoned their DEI efforts. Huebert believes the reason behind these acts are a result of businesses recognizing these programs have not actually served them well.

But advocates like Ramey are continuing to fight for social equity initiatives in all aspects of society, starting in the workplace despite the current challenges — focusing their efforts on privately funded nonprofits and making them the healthiest, most inclusive powerful workplaces.

“We only work with people who are courageous. I am doubling down on people who will be the frontline for this next wave,” said Ramey. “Federal employees and government agents and big corporations will not be the frontline. It’s going to be small businesses, nonprofits, and privately funded nonprofits ...I’m being shown and reminded how prepared I am for this moment.” 

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