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RACIAL PROGRESS
New Policies Suggest America Has Entered an Anti Civil Rights Era
How this moment fits into the racial progress timeline
Has America entered an anti-civil rights era? Some policies enacted by the Trump administration suggest we’re not in Kansas anymore, such as revoking an executive order to advance racial equity. And eliminate DEI programs, services, and activities within the federal government. As well as closing most Department of Education offices that process discrimination claims. Combined, these efforts point to social regression. One that seeks to undo some of the progress established during the civil rights era. Of course, this is not a new characterization. According to the Equal Justice Initiative, the Anti-Civil Rights Era began in 2008 as a backlash from the nation electing its first Black president, Barack Obama. Yet, this latest wave of policies suggests America has ventured further down that road.
Some people believe positive social change is inevitable. They may assume this progression is as natural and predictable as ocean tides. But they’re mistaken. As students of history know, the advancement of any cause is never guaranteed. This is especially true for racial progress. “The long sweep of American history is cast as a constant widening of equity and justice.” Yet…
