Presidential Actions to Halt DEI Are Harmful and Unacceptable

As president of the Atlantic City NAACP, and a lifelong advocate for human rights here in my hometown, and across the country, I am appalled and unequivocally opposed to President Trump's, arbitrary, capricious and unacceptable effort to abruptly stop Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEi) government funding and programs.

This one order abruptly halts grant funds for programs currently underway, causing chaos, confusion and hardships for businesses, organizations and individuals. Very simply, coming out of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, DEi was designed to embrace the diversity of the American population, and ensure equity, fairness and justice for ALL Americans.

Contrary to the most recent outrageous innuendo and erroneous statements of the President, DEi enhances and broadens the base of meritocracy by including all qualified candidates in the job pool, applicants for college admissions, etc. What it is not, is exclusion, discrimination and diminishment of opportunities or disparagement on the basis of race, religion, ethnic heritage, sexual preference, or disability which does not impede the ability of a qualified candidate to successfully fulfill the requirements to fulfill a specific job.

By making opportunities for all to contribute and participate equally in society and the job force, everyone benefits from the melding of our abilities, talents, skills and differences which generate new ideas and opportunities for all. Sadly, as we pledge allegiance to the flag of our country, representing "liberty and justice for all," many Americans, especially those of racial and ethnic minorities, have had to struggle for generations, to claim those rights for themselves and future generations.

We cannot, and will not let thoughtless and vengeful acts and rhetoric, even by the current chief executive, dampen our spirit or our energy and efforts to continue advocate for our rights and those of our fellow citizens. We must continue to work together, as a unified diverse society, to share our message as we show up every day, at work, school and in the community as positive, powerful and essential members of the fabric of American society. That is what truly makes America great.

I grew up as part of the Civil Rights movement. I have dedicated my life
to what should be the simple, common-sense practice of inclusion, fairness and justice for all. In my many roles as a community activist, government official, educator, father and now, proud grandfather, I have worked tirelessly for the advancement of the principles of DEi (even before it was an
acronym). And I invite you to embrace and join this journey with me.
While most Americans, like me, struggle to find footing in the chaotic, irrational, vindictive acts that characterize the new administration so far, it is more important than ever that we are in the forefront of the conversation and action for equality. We must continue to be united and work so our voices are heard and the principles and practices of DEi are fully in practice across the board, at every level of our society. We will achieve our goals not by retribution, but by CONTRIBUTION.
In the words of Martin Luther King, "we shall overcome."

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