by Deepika Shrestha ‘27

President Trump has made an executive order to take away Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs in the federal government because he feels like it discriminates against people. DEI programs are meant to help all people feel accepted at their organization or company. Trump and other Republican lawmakers have called DEI programs illegal as they discriminate against people based on certain qualities. Under the umbrella of DEI, certain months that celebrate and remember history will also go away. Federal agencies are now ordered to not acknowledge or celebrate certain months and days for remembrance in their agencies. Black History Month, Juneteenth, Women’s History month, MLK Day, and LGBTQ Month are some of the days and months remembering history that will be taken away.

There is no reason to take away these important events and months from people. It’s wrong to take away these observance days that educate people about history and acknowledge others. Federal agencies are supposed to represent every citizen in the diverse country that the United States is. There is nothing illegal or discriminatory about acknowledging different people and historical events that make America who it is today. Remembrance is important to America, telling federal agencies they can not acknowledge them is erasing the American identity.