Trump administration refutes notion of structural racism
The new guidelines seem to suggest that white people, every bit as much as people of color, need protections from discriminatory practices, suggesting they have also been victims of such discrimination.
In a directive from Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor that would seem to be a radical departure from decades of anti-discrimination guidelines, the U.S. Department of Education threatened to withhold federal funding to educational institutions who are still in non-compliance with their new policies by Feb. 28. Since most K-12 school districts receive 8 to10 percent of their budget from federal funding, a hold on federal funds would negatively impact student education.
The letter, which takes specific aim at the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion guidelines that have long been the foundation for non-discrimination in education, claims “Educational institutions have toxically indoctrinated students with the false premise that the United States is built upon ‘systemic and structural racism’ and advanced discriminatory policies and practices.”
According to Trainor, the guidance is legally justified under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Protection Clause of the United States Constitution. The new guidelines seem to suggest that white people, every bit as much as people of color, need protections from discriminatory practices, suggesting they have also been victims of such discrimination.
The Department of Education says all educational institutions must ensure their policies and actions comply with the new “anti-discrimination” guidance policies. Any programs, degrees or scholarships that may be considered race-based must be eliminated. It also bars schools from “using race in decisions pertaining to admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, financial aid, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, discipline, housing, graduation ceremonies and all other aspects of student, academic and campus life.”
In addition, they must ensure that all third parties that do business with or use the facilities of the school are also in compliance. That would include vendors, suppliers, contracted services, nonprofits that rent facilities, scouts, and various other organizations.
Many questions remain that will be challenging for educational institutions. What is the impact on student clubs? What about charter schools, especially those offering cultural immersion? Can the federal government dictate curriculum, which is a state and local school board responsibility? How can schools regulate outside groups who use school facilities? Can students learn about or celebrate various cultural events? What about library books? And school plays and musicals? Or student art work? Where does censorship stop and will books in school libraries or plays or musicals be subject to the administration’s retrograde worldview?
The Department of Education offers further information on Federal civil rights laws and how to file a complaint.
