LEGACY CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS SLAM TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S RACIST DISINFORMATION AND ASSAULT ON EDUCATION EQUITY
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Legacy civil rights organizations are sounding the alarm on a letter from the Trump administration's Department of Education that threatens funding to pre-K through 12 schools, colleges, and universities.
In a Feb. 14 letter issued to pre-K-12 schools, colleges, and universities that receive federal funding the Department falsely claims that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs leverage racial preferences and uses scare tactics to pressure schools to eliminate programs that teach the truth about American history and celebrate all students.
The letter threatens to eliminate funding from any institutions that operate programs the Department deems "DEI," using a baseless mischaracterization of federal law for support.
Federal law is clear. Schools have a moral and legal duty to ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive. In Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina, 600 U.S. 181 (2023), the Supreme Court reaffirmed that diversity remains a commendable and worthy goal.
Time and time again, courts have rejected attempts to mischaracterize efforts to level the playing field and create welcoming environments as racial bias—whether through training, eliminating standardized testing, or other means.
The Trump administration seeks to roll back the progress we’ve made to dismantle Jim Crow segregation in our schools. The reality is, Black students—as well as Latino, Asian American, Indigenous, and other underrepresented students—are often denied the same educational opportunities and resources that white students receive. Conditions for students of color in districts across the country are frequently separate and unequal.
Contrary to what the Trump administration now asserts, schools that do not address these persistent barriers remain in violation of federal law.
To succeed as a nation, we need to develop the talents and skills of all students, including Black students, by providing the resources and opportunities for all young people of every race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socioeconomic status to excel .
We urge schools and educational institutions everywhere to continue to follow the law and reject the administration's racist falsehoods.
Marc H. Morial, President and CEO, National Urban League
Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder and President, National Action Network
Melanie Campbell, President and CEO, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and Convener of the Black Women’s Roundtable
Derrick Johnson, President and CEO, NAACP
Janai Nelson, President and Director-Counsel, Legal Defense Fund
Damon Hewitt, President and Executive Director, Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
Maya Wiley, President and CEO, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
Shavon Arline-Bradley, President and National Chair, National Council of Negro Women
.png)
