This put up was initially printed on The Washington Informer
By Stacy M. Brown
Because the starting of the US, presidents have been a part of America’s racist historical past from the times of George Washington’s enslavement of Black individuals to Woodrow Wilson’s segregation of the federal workforce to Richard Nixon’s “Southern Technique” — a thinly veiled attraction to white resentment.
Based on “A Historic Evaluation of Racism Inside the US Presidency” by Dewey M. Clayton, Sharon E. Moore and Sharon D. Jones-Eversley, U.S. presidents have lengthy used racist insurance policies to take care of white supremacy, however no trendy chief has weaponized racism as blatantly as President Donald Trump. His presidency was an unrelenting assault on racial progress, civil rights and the very concept of a multiracial democracy.
In 2016, the Nationwide Council on Black American Affairs recognized the 11 most racist U.S. presidents, citing their insurance policies, actions, and rhetoric which have harmed Black and marginalized communities. Amongst them had been:
• Andrew Johnson (1865-1869), who opposed Black suffrage, supported the Black Codes and tried to undo Reconstruction efforts.
• Andrew Jackson (1829-1837), who championed the Indian Elimination Act and upheld slavery in any respect prices.
• Ronald Reagan (1981-1989), who fueled the “welfare queen” stereotype and escalated the battle on medication, which disproportionately focused Black communities.
• Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921), who segregated the federal workforce and praised the Ku Klux Klan.
• George W. Bush (2001-2009), whose administration’s disastrous response to Hurricane Katrina and financial insurance policies devastated Black communities.
Trump Blames DEI for Midair Collision, Leaders Push Again
Trump’s newest show of overt bigotry got here within the aftermath of the Jan. 29 aircraft crash at Reagan Nationwide Airport, which killed over 60 individuals, together with households from Massachusetts. As a substitute of providing condolences or ready for an investigation, Trump instantly blamed the tragedy on range, fairness, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley was amongst those that forcefully condemned his remarks.
“Extra of the identical, shameful, deplorable, and disgusting, however nothing new. I imply, they blame DEI for wildfires,” Pressley stated. “They blame DEI for every thing, each little bit of hurt that we skilled, that they’ve been an architect of. They’re the one ones they don’t maintain accountable, they usually’re those sowing this division.”
She supplied a warning about Trump and emphasised her considerations in regards to the nation in eradicating DEI insurance policies.
“And that’s why Dr. King stated, ‘Energy with out love is reckless.’ He’s a reckless, lawless, harmful man, and at a time of tragedy when he ought to be a salve and a balm, and a supply of confidence for these grieving households and for the nation, that is what he does? Extra of the identical,” Pressley continued. “An assault on range, fairness, and inclusion is an assault on everybody — veterans, girls, the LGBTQ group, Black people — it’s a risk to everybody, and it’s good to transfer and act accordingly.”
Outspoken Texas Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett additionally blasted Trump.
“That is really like a real-life dangerous episode of the Apprentice, however truthfully, he’s the primary one who ought to be fired,” Crockett wrote on X, previously referred to as Twitter. “It’s clear that he has no concept of learn how to do the job of President, competently.”
The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) additionally issued a press release condemning Trump’s remarks.
“President Trump, with out proof or regard for the gravity and solemnity of this incident wherein American lives had been misplaced, held a press convention to falsely blame the range initiatives of previous administrations for the reason for this incident. Not solely are the President’s claims unfaithful, however in addition they communicate to the Republican Celebration’s need to divide us as a rustic,” the CBC wrote.
The group of African American federal legislators emphasised the significance of DEI at present.
“To be clear, range, fairness, and inclusion are American values. Variety insurance policies work to learn all Individuals who’ve historically been stored out of alternatives, together with white girls, veterans, and getting older Individuals, not simply the Black and minority communities that Trump and Republicans need to scapegoat and villainize for political achieve. We aren’t going again!”
Democratic Chief Hakeem Jeffries declared that is “a time that requires management, compassion and decency.”
“Lives have been misplaced, and households have been devastated,” Jeffries continued. “Whereas persons are struggling, excessive MAGA Republicans are peddling lies and attacking individuals of colour and ladies with none foundation in any way.”
Others Weigh In on President’s Rhetoric, Unpacking Trump’s Phrases
Whereas the president is pointing fingers at others, some individuals notice that Trump and his administration will not be harmless.
Journalist Aaron Rupar famous: “Trump is out right here making an attempt in charge Black individuals and ladies for a aircraft crash that occurred after he introduced a DEI purge of the FAA.”
Reporter Matt Binder wrote: “Elon Musk [is] all of a sudden going into overdrive in charge DEI, Obama, Biden… seemingly as a result of he doesn’t need you to know that the FAA was and not using a chief in the course of the D.C. aircraft crash because of him.”
Capt. Sully Sullenberger expressed his disgust: “Not shocked. Disgusted.”
Tristan Snell, the prosecutor of Trump College summarized: “Issues that induced the D.C. aircraft crash: Having one air site visitors controller do a job two individuals usually do, due to far-right efforts to destroy the federal government. Issues that did NOT trigger the D.C. crash: Girls — Black individuals — Pete Buttigieg — DEI applications typically.”
Trump’s DEI scapegoating isn’t just rhetoric — it’s coverage. Considered one of his first govt orders after taking workplace on Inauguration Day was the eradication of DEI applications within the federal authorities, describing them as “radical and wasteful” and “unlawful and immoral.”
The order mandated that federal companies determine contractors and grantees partaking in DEI-related insurance policies, together with environmental justice. The subsequent day, Trump expanded this assault into the personal sector, directing federal civil rights enforcement to focus on any establishment selling DEI. His administration created a tip line for presidency staff to report colleagues partaking in DEI-related actions and ordered the closure of diversity-focused workplaces, putting these staff on administrative go away.
Based on Clayton, Moore, and Jones-Eversley, the Trump administration aggressively dismantled racial fairness efforts and marginalized communities by govt orders and administrative strain, making certain that diversity-focused initiatives had been stifled at each stage of presidency.
“They’re coming for everybody,” Pressley stated. “However I consider within the energy of the individuals.”
Because the Nationwide Council on Black Affairs famous in its 2016 report: “Racism within the presidency just isn’t a relic of the previous — it’s an evolving power that continues to form coverage, exclude communities, and reinforce inequality. The one method ahead is thru collective resistance and the unyielding pursuit of justice.
The put up Racism and the Presidency: An American Custom Some Say Has Continued with the Assault on Variety and Inclusion appeared first on The Washington Informer.
