#NNPA BlackPress

New York Stands Firm Against Trump Administration’s Order to Abandon Diversity in Schools

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The conflict over DEI in schools is the latest in a series of high-profile disputes between New York and the federal government.

Published

2 months ago

April 7, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
BlackPressUSA.com Senior National Correspondent

New York City and state officials refuse to comply with the Trump administration’s demands to dismantle public school diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. In a move that defies federal threats to withdraw critical education funding, state education leaders insist that the federal government has no legal authority to dictate how schools approach diversity. On Thursday, the Trump administration issued a sweeping directive requiring K-12 schools across the country to certify within ten days that they are ending what the administration calls discriminatory DEI practices. The administration said compliance would be necessary to continue receiving federal education dollars, including Title I funds that support schools in low-income communities. “Federal financial assistance is a privilege, not a right,” said Craig Trainor, the acting assistant secretary for civil rights at the U.S. Department of Education. He accused public schools of violating federal law by allegedly favoring one group of students over another through DEI policies.

New York State responded with a letter from Daniel Morton-Bentley, counsel and deputy New York State Education Department commissioner. In the letter, dated Friday, Morton-Bentley wrote that federal officials are misinterpreting civil rights law and lack the authority to impose such conditions. “We understand that the current administration seeks to censor anything it deems ‘diversity, equity & inclusion,’” he wrote. “But there are no federal or State laws prohibiting the principles of DEI.” He noted that the state has already certified its compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and sees no need to submit a new demand based on a faulty legal premise. “Given the fact that you are already in possession of guarantees by NYSED that it has and will comply with Title VI, no further certification will be forthcoming,” he stated. The Trump administration has not responded to requests for comment.

The New York City Department of Education, which operates the largest school system in the country, said it remains committed to creating and supporting learning environments that reflect the city’s diversity. Officials made clear that all students—regardless of race, religion, gender identity, immigration status, home language, or ability—deserve schools that are inclusive, supportive, and reflective of their experiences. In a city where Black and Hispanic children make up 70 percent of the student population, the DOE’s Equity and Excellence for All initiative has worked to increase access to high-quality education while addressing deep-rooted disparities. The plan includes strategies to reduce economic stratification, increase racial representation in schools, and ensure that students with disabilities and English language learners are fully included in academic life. The administration’s certification demand includes several pages of legal analysis and threatens to withhold funding from schools that fail to comply, even though federal funds make up just 6 percent of the overall budget for New York’s K-12 schools. Still, the threat has caused concern because of its potential to disrupt services in the city’s most vulnerable communities.

Critics say the administration’s effort contradicts its campaign promise to return control of education to states and local communities. Instead, they argue, the move represents a politically motivated attempt to erase programs designed to close opportunity gaps for historically marginalized students. Morton-Bentley also pointed out that the current administration’s position contrasts with earlier statements from former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, who in 2020 said diversity and inclusion were essential to high-performing organizations. The administration has not explained the reversal. Meanwhile, city education leaders continue implementing a detailed plan that includes expanded admissions opportunities for students in temporary housing, specialized outreach for underrepresented students in Advanced Placement and STEM courses, and new school models that prioritize bilingual education and inclusive environments.

The conflict over DEI in schools is the latest in a series of high-profile disputes between New York and the federal government. State officials have also refused a separate Trump administration order to halt a congestion pricing plan that would fund improvements to New York City’s mass transit system. Despite threats of financial penalties, the city’s education officials say they will not back down from their commitment to providing all students with a quality education in an environment that welcomes and respects their identity and background. “This work is essential to our vision of Equity and Excellence for all NYC students,” the Department of Education said in a statement. “We cannot build high-quality schools for all without ensuring they are welcoming and supportive of every child.”

Stacy M. Brown

Posts by Stacy M. Brown

Up Next

Trump Targets a Slavery Removal from the National Museum of African-American History and Culture

Don't Miss

Large Anti-Trump “Hands Off” Protest in Washington DC Isn’t Diverse But the Issues Are

Stacy M. Brown

Click to comment

#NNPA BlackPress

Remembering George Floyd

Published

5 days ago

May 25, 2025

Oakland Post

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

#NNPA BlackPress

OP-ED: Oregon Bill Threatens the Future of Black Owned Newspapers and Community Journalism

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Nearly half of Oregon’s media outlets are now owned by national conglomerates with no lasting investment in local communities. According to an OPB analysis, Oregon has lost more than 90 news jobs (and counting) in the past five years. These were reporters, editors and photographers covering school boards, investigating corruption and telling community stories, until their jobs were cut by out-of-state corporations.

Published

6 days ago

May 23, 2025

Oakland Post

By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr.
President and CEO, National Newspaper Publishers Association

For decades, The Skanner newspaper in Portland, the Portland Observer, and the Portland Medium have served Portland, Oregon’s Black community and others with a vital purpose: to inform, uplift and empower. But legislation now moving through the Oregon Legislature threatens these community news institutions—and others like them.

As President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), which represents more than 255 Black-owned media outlets across the United States—including historic publications like The Skanner, Portland Observer, and the Portland Medium—l believe that some Oregon lawmakers would do more harm than good for local journalism and community-owned publications they are hoping to protect.

Oregon Senate Bill 686 would require large digital platforms such as Google and Meta to pay for linking to news content. The goal is to bring desperately needed support to local newsrooms. However, the approach, while well-intentioned, puts smaller, community-based publications at a future severe financial risk.

We need to ask – will these payments paid by tech companies benefit the journalists and outlets that need them most? Nearly half of Oregon’s media outlets are now owned by national conglomerates with no lasting investment in local communities. According to an OPB analysis, Oregon has lost more than 90 news jobs (and counting) in the past five years. These were reporters, editors, and photographers covering school boards, investigating corruption, and telling community stories, until their jobs were cut by out-of-state corporations.

Legislation that sends money to these national conglomerate owners—without the right safeguards to protect independent and community-based outlets—rewards the forces that caused this inequitable crisis in the first place. A just and inclusive policy must guarantee that support flows to the front lines of local journalism and not to the boardrooms of large national media corporations.

The Black Press exists to fill in the gaps left by larger newsrooms. Our reporters are trusted messengers. Our outlets serve as forums for civic engagement, accountability and cultural pride. We also increasingly rely on our digital platforms to reach our audiences, especially younger generations—where they are.

We are fervently asking Oregon lawmakers to take a step back and engage in meaningful dialogue with those most affected: community publishers, small and independent outlets and the readers we serve. The Skanner, The Portland Observer, and The Portland Medium do not have national corporate parents or large investors. And they, like many smaller, community-trusted outlets, rely on traffic from search engines and social media to boost advertising revenue, drive subscriptions, and raise awareness.

Let’s work together to build a better future for Black-owned newspapers and community journalism that is fair, local,l and representative of all Oregonians.

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., President & CEO, National Newspaper Publishers Association

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

#NNPA BlackPress

Hate and Chaos Rise in Trump’s America

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Tactics ranged from local policy manipulation to threats of violence. The SPLC documented bomb threats at 60 polling places in Georgia, traced to Russian email domains.

Published

6 days ago

May 23, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

The Southern Poverty Law Center has identified 1,371 hate and antigovernment extremist groups operating across the United States in 2024. In its latest Year in Hate & Extremism report, the SPLC reveals how these groups are embedding themselves in politics and policymaking while targeting marginalized communities through intimidation, disinformation, and violence. “Extremists at all levels of government are using cruelty, chaos, and constant attacks on communities and our democracy to make us feel powerless,” said SPLC President Margaret Huang. The report outlines how hard-right groups aggressively targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives throughout 2024. Figures on the far right falsely framed DEI as a threat to white Americans, with some branding it a form of “white genocide.” After the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, a former Utah legislator blamed the incident on DEI, posting “DEI = DIE.”

Tactics ranged from local policy manipulation to threats of violence. The SPLC documented bomb threats at 60 polling places in Georgia, traced to Russian email domains. Similar threats hit Jewish institutions and Planet Fitness locations after far-right social media accounts attacked them for trans-inclusive policies. Telegram, which SPLC describes as a hub for hate groups, helped extremists cross-recruit between neo-Nazi, QAnon, and white nationalist spaces. The platform’s lax moderation allowed groups like the Terrorgram Collective—designated terrorists by the U.S. State Department—to thrive. Militia movements were also reorganized, with 50 groups documented in 2024. Many, calling themselves “minutemen,” trained in paramilitary tactics while lobbying local governments for official recognition. These groups shared personnel and ideology with white nationalist organizations.

The manosphere continued to radicalize boys and young men. The Fresh & Fit podcast, now listed as a hate group, promoted misogyny while mocking and attacking Black women. Manosphere influencers used social media algorithms to drive youth toward male-supremacy content. Turning Point USA played a key role in pushing white nationalist rhetoric into mainstream politics. Its leader Charlie Kirk claimed native-born Americans are being replaced by immigrants, while the group advised on Project 2025 and organized Trump campaign events. “We know that these groups build their power by threatening violence, capturing political parties and government, and infesting the mainstream discourse with conspiracy theories,” said Rachel Carroll Rivas, interim director of the SPLC’s Intelligence Project. “By exposing the players, tactics, and code words of the hard right, we hope to dismantle their mythology and inspire people to fight back.”

Click here for the full report or visit http://www.splcenter.org/resources/guides/year-hate-extremism-2024.