State of Black America report details threats to voting, DEI

The National Urban League released a report last month on the State of Black America. The document revealed data on censorship, the criminalization of the term “woke,” the removal of diversity departments and how spreading of misinformation is affecting the Black population.

The organization, founded in 1910, released its first report in 1975, to advocate for the Black community nationally. However, this year, the research revealed unease and worry about the state of the nation and how the changes being made under the current administration are impacting communities of color.

“The notion that we are living through a state of emergency is not rhetorical flourish,” Marc H. Morial, president of the National Urban League, stated. “It is an honest reckoning with a government increasingly determined to sacrifice its founding principles — equality, liberty and justice — rather than accept the truth of a diversifying nation and deliver equitable opportunity to all.”

The report shows that since Jan. 20, the number of federal changes to policies and departments that serve to diversify the nation has skyrocketed. Threats to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 are highlighted in the report, one being the Supreme Court’s ruling to declare race-conscious admissions into universities unconstitutional. 

“This threatens a key provision of the law that allows people to use—either on their own behalf or with the assistance of the Justice Department — to undo existing laws and procedures that could deny equal political opportunity to voters to elect their candidates of choice opening the door for more discrimination,” the report said.

Criminalizing the word “woke” also became a trend since the murder of George Floyd, according to the report. It led to the targeting of DEI programs, organizations and company policies, such as the Fearless Fund, which “awarded $20,000 to small businesses led by at least one woman of color.” Companies like Target and others have removed their DEI policies completely following the changing legal and political environment in the country.

“Organizations dedicated to leveling American institutions with deep histories of inequitable lending practices, such as home appraisals, and that have historically had significantly lower levels of enrollment of people of color, are under attack,” the report says. “Not only are these efforts growing, but they are also becoming more aggressive as the new administration has made it federal doctrine  — attacking colleges, universities and corporate — for simply having the words diversity and inclusion as part of their mission.”

Since the new administration began operating, the civil rights division of the Department of Justice has been radicalized. Instead of being used as a way of finding justice, according to the report, it has become a tool for political retribution.

“Within weeks of the new administration taking power, cases against election deniers who’ve tampered with the election equipment were dismissed, and January 6th rioters were pardoned,” the report stated.

The weaponization of social media has become a catalyst for spreading misinformation and amplifying censorship, with billionaires and political representatives with their own agendas and political goals taking over these platforms, the report found.

“During the 2024 election cycle, accounts supporting progressive candidates also saw their accounts blocked and shadowbanned without explanation,” the report stated.

Despite the attacks on democracy the report concluded with this message: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion protects and advances democratic ideals. It highlights the crucial impact it has on marginalized communities and how maintaining DEI in all aspects is of utmost importance to keep all Americans under the promise of equality.

“As explored in research from Brown University’s Democratic Erosion blog, DEI is not only about representation — it also deepens civic participation by ensuring historically excluded groups have pathways to engage fully in democratic processes,” the document explained.

This story appeared in the July edition of the Black Iowa Newspaper.

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