TRACKING THE ORGANIZED ATTACKS ON RACIAL AND GENDER JUSTICE

On December 2nd, 2020, AAPF hosted an Under the Blacklight episode focused on the #TruthBeTold Campaign. AAPF Executive Director Kimberlé Crenshaw, Carol Anderson, Rachel Godsil, Laura Gomez, Charles Lawrence, Janai Nelson, and Lisa Rice examined the destructiveness of the Trump administration’s “Equity Gag Order,” the history of backlash against demands for equality, and the road to building a stronger social justice movement.

AAPF and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF) held a joint press conference in October 2020 to announce the #TruthBeTold Campaign and to communicate the harms of Executive Order 13950. Featured speakers included Kimberlé Crenshaw (Executive Director, African AAPF); Janai Nelson (Associate Director-Counsel, LDF); Marc Morial (President and CEO, National Urban League); and Lisa Rice (President, National Fair Housing Alliance).

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​THE LATEST NEWS

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Below are the latest updates from the ongoing attacks on critical race theory, social justice concepts, and historically accurate teaching of race and gender. If you have relevant news and tips, please send them to .

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Coverage of Organized Attacks on Racial and Gender Justice:

• Scholarly Groups Condemn Laws Limiting Teaching on Race

(New York Times, June 16, 2021)

• Texas 'critical race theory' bill limiting teaching of current events signed into law

(ABC13, June 16, 2021)

• Republicans Want Federal Funding Cuts to Schools Using ‘1619 Project'—But There’s a Twist

(Education Week, June 15, 2021)

• Critical race theory battle invades school boards — with help from conservative groups

(NBC News, June 15, 2021)

• Teachers across the country protest laws restricting lessons on racism

(Washington Post, June 12, 2021)

• ‘Children deserve to be taught’: Teachers in 22 cities are planning protests over laws restricting racism lessons in schools

(USA Today, June 11, 2021)

• Florida bans use of critical race theory, “1619 Project” in teaching history

(Miami Herald, June 10, 2021)

• The New York Times’ Culture-War Definition of Free Speech

(The New Republic, June 8, 2021)

• Senate Republicans hold up Biden personnel nominee over ‘critical race theory’ and abortion rights

(Washington Post, June 8, 2021)

• What Is the 1836 Project? Texas To Promote 'Patriotic Education'

(Newsweek, June 8, 2021)

• Georgia education board passes resolution to block critical race theory

(Yahoo News, June 6, 2021)

• Kansas universities asked to compile list of courses that teach Critical Race Theory

(The Kansas City Star, June 4, 2021)

• Guest Blog: Where Does the Bizarre Hysteria About ‘Critical Race Theory’ Come From? Follow the Money!

(Inside Higher Ed, June 3, 2021)

• Disputing Racism’s Reach, Republicans Rattle American Schools

(New York Times, June 1, 2021)

• Critical race theory ban leads Oklahoma college to cancel class that taught ‘white privilege’

(Washington Post, May 29, 2021)

• Teachers Say Laws Banning Critical Race Theory Are Putting A Chill On Their Lessons

(NPR, May 28, 2021)

• Oklahoma teacher says summer class canceled due to bill that bans teaching critical race theory

(KOCO, May 27, 2021)

• Montana’s top prosecutor bans critical race theory programs

(AP, May 27, 2021)

• Texas educators worry bill limiting the teaching of current events and historic racism would “whitewash history”

(Texas Tribune, May 26, 2021)

• Why Conservatives Really Fear Critical Race Theory

(Washington Post opinion, May 26, 2021)

• The fight to whitewash US history: ‘A drop of poison is all you need’

(The Guardian, May 25, 2021) 

• Tennessee bans teaching critical race theory in schools

(ABC News, May 25, 2021)

• A University Suspended Diversity Courses Because of an Incident That Almost Certainly Didn’t Happen

(The Chronicle of Higher Education, May 24, 2021)

• Attempts to ban teaching on ‘critical race theory’ multiply across the U.S.

(Iowa Capital Dispatch, May 23, 2021)

• McGeachin announces indoctrination task force members

(Idaho Ed News, May 20, 2021)

• Forsyth County residents debate diversity curriculum in schools

(Fox 5 Atlanta, May 18, 2021)

• Noblesville Schools And Parents' Concerns About Critical Race Theory

(Indiana Public Media, May 18, 2021) 

• Tennessee Dems urge Lee not to sign bill banning critical race theory

(WTFV, May 18, 2021)

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UNDERSTANDING THE ATTACKS

Below is a brief collection of articles, research, and critical analyses that are useful in understanding this wave of repressive legislation.
 

• Fox’s anti-“critical race theory” parents are also GOP activists

(Media Matters, June 17, 2021)

• Critical Race Theory: What It Means for America and Why It Has Sparked Debate

(Wall Street Journal, June 17, 2021)

• Why are states lining up to ban critical race theory?

(University World News, June 12, 2021)

• (VIDEO) What critical race theory is really about

(CNN/Don Lemon Tonight, May 17, 2021)​

• The War on Critical Race Theory

(Boston Review, May 7, 2021)

• The GOP’s ‘Critical Race Theory’ Obsession

(The Atlantic, May 7, 2021)

• Critical Race Theory Pioneer Says Republicans Creating 'Phantom Threat' to Gag Teachers

(Newsweek, May 6, 2021)

• What critical race theory is -- and isn't

(CNN, updated May 6, 2021)

• The Republican Push to Ban Critical Race Theory Reveals an Ugly Truth | Opinion

(Newsweek, May 5, 2021)​

• Trump calls critical race theory ‘un-American.’ Let’s review.

(The Washington Post, 10/2/20)

• Critical race theory, and Trump’s war on it, explained

(VOX, 9/24/2020)

• What Is Critical Race Theory and Why Is Trump Afraid of It?

(The Nation, 9/17/2020)

• "Trump's White House says critical race theory is anti-American. Here's the truth."

(NBC News Opinion, 9/11/2020)

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BACKGROUND READING ON THE ATTACKS ON RACIAL AND GENDER JUSTICE:

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Executive Order 13950:

• The White House Memo on Training in the Federal Government

• Executive Order on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping

• Executive Order on Combatting Race and Sex Stereotyping: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Legal Challenges to Executive Order 13950:

• NAACP Legal Defense Fund, National Urban League, National Fair Housing Alliance File Suit Against Trump Administration; African American Policy Forum Launches #TruthBeTold Campaign, Oct. 29, 2020

  • Read the full complaint here.

• Lambda Legal Sues Trump Administration over Executive Order Banning Diversity Training, Nov. 3, 2020

  • Read the full complaint here.

• NAACP Legal Defense Fund, other civil rights groups sue over Trump order banning diversity training

(The Hill, 10/29/2020)

The Impacts of Executive Order 13950:

• Trump’s controversial diversity training order is dead – or is it? Colleges are still feeling its effects.

(USA Today, February 6, 2021) 

• Donald Trump executive order banning diversity training suspended by Labor Department

(USA Today, 01/07/2021

• Federal District Court Issues Nationwide Temporary Ban on Executive Order 13950

(National Law Review, 12/29/2020)

• Donald Trump executive order banning diversity training blocked by federal judge

(USA Today, 12/23/2020)​​

• EPA Cancels LGBTQ Pride And Resilience Event Due To Trump Crackdown

(The Huffington Post, 10/27/2020)

• Trump Attack on Diversity Training Has a Quick and Chilling Effect

(The New York Times, 10/13/2020)

• Justice Dept. Suspends All Diversity and Inclusion Training for Staff

(The New York Times, 10/9/2020)​​

• All Federal Agencies Told to Suspend Diversity Training Programs

(The Wall Street Journal, 10/4/2020)

• Trump's Ban on Diversity Training is Upsetting Corporate America

(Black Enterprise, 10/1/2020)​

• Why President Trump is targeting the 1619 Project

(CNN, 9/21/2020)​​

• Trump calls for 'patriotic education,' says anti-racism teachings are 'child abuse'

(NBC News, 9/17/2020)

• EPA postpones speaker series on racism after White House order

(Politico, 09/15/2020)​

• Trump Orders Crackdown on Federal Antiracism Training, Calling It ‘Anti American’

(The Guardian, 9/4/2020)

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The Revocation of Executive Order 13950:

• Executive Order On Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government

(The White House, January 20, 2021)

• OMB Memorandum on Revocation of Executive Order 13950

• President Joe Biden rescinds Donald Trump ban on diversity training about systemic racism

(USA Today, January 20, 2021)​​

• Biden Reverses Trump Executive Order Banning Diversity Training

(UCLA Law, March 17, 2021)

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STATEMENTS FROM ORGANIZATIONS WHO OPPOSED TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE ORDER

Below is a list of statements or letters issued by organizations or associations regarding Executive Order 13950, organized with the most recent at the top.

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1. Attorneys General of Connecticut, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia, Executive Order 13950 Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping, Oct. 30, 2020

2. American Library Association, Statement on Executive Order on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping, Oct. 29, 2020

3. The State University of New York, Message to SUNY Community about the Importance of Diversity Training, Oct. 22, 2020

4. National Council of Nonprofits, Joint Letter signed by 41 Nonprofit Organizations, Oct. 21, 2020

5. AIDs United, White House Bans Diversity Trainings About Race and Sex Bias, Oct. 19, 2020

6. Michael H. Schill - University of Oregon, Committed to equity and inclusion work despite federal executive order, Oct. 16, 2020

7. Joint Letter signed by 161 for-profit business and nonprofit organizations, including the National Council of Nonprofits and U.S. Chamber of Commerce, on behalf of their thousands of members, Private Sector Letter to the President in Opposition to the Executive Order on Race and Sex Stereotyping, Oct. 15, 2020

8. DiversityEdu, A Response to the Executive Order on Diversity Training, Oct. 15, 2020

9. American Hospital Association, American Medical Association and American Nurses Association, Letter to President Donald Trump on Executive Order 13950, Oct. 14, 2020

10. American Council of Engineering Companies, Federal Contractors Join in Opposition to Executive Order that Bars Certain Diversity and Inclusion Training, Oct. 14, 2020

11. Circa, Circa Supports HR Policy Association on Opposition of Executive Order 13950, Oct. 13, 2020

12. American Alliance of Museums, Statement in Response to the Executive Order on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping, Oct. 13, 2020

13. Association of Research Libraries, Statement on the US Executive Order on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping, Oct. 9, 2020

14. Tony Reardon National President of the National Treasury Employees Union, Confronting Racism is Our American Duty, Oct. 9, 2020

15. Alliance for Digital Innovation, with 10 other technology, software and advertising organizations representing thousands of government contractors, Joint Letter in Opposition, Oct. 8, 2020

16. American Council on Education, Joint Letter signed by 56 Organizations Representing Higher Education Institutions, Oct. 8, 2020

17. American Society of Neurology, ASN Opposes Executive Order on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping, Oct. 8, 2020

18. NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc (LDF), Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, and National Women’s Law Center, Civil Rights Groups and Allies Condemn White House Move to Censor Race and Gender Equity Training, Oct. 7, 2020

19. STEM community (scientific, technical, engineering and math), Multi-Society Effort in Urging Trump Administration to Rescind Elimination of Federal DEI Training Programs, Oct. 7, 2020

20. Rev. Dennis Holtschneider, President of Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, Trump's order interfering with diversity efforts: The wrong move at the wrong time, The Hill, Oct. 1, 2020

21. Clean Water Action, Joint Letter signed by 121 Conservation Organizations to Congressional Leaders, Oct. 1, 2020

22. American Association of Advertising Agencies, 4A’s Pushes Back On Trump’s Move To Suppress Diversity Training At Agencies, Oct. 1, 2020

23. Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, PhRMA Statement on Presidential Executive Order Restricting Diversity Training, Oct. 1, 2020

24. TESOL International Association, Statement on Executive Order Banning Sensitivity Training Programs in the United States, Oct. 1, 2020

25. American Historical Association, Statement Urging Retraction of Executive Order Prohibiting the Inclusion of “Divisive Concepts” in Employee Training Sessions, Oct. 2020

26. Physician Assistant Education Association, PAEA Endorses AAMC Statement Regarding President’s Executive Order on ‘Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping,’ Sept. 30, 2020 

27. American Society for Engineering Education, Letter to OMB and Office of Science and Technology Policy, Sept. 30, 2020

28. American Psychological Association, APA Decries Administration Orders to Restrict Federal Diversity Training, Sept. 30, 2020

29. Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, ACGME Issues Statement on the Executive Order on Race and Sex Stereotyping, Sept. 30, 2020

30. HR Policy Association, Statement by HR Policy Association on the Executive Order on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping, Sept. 30, 2020

31. American Association for Access Equity and Diversity, Statement Regarding Executive Order, Sept. 29, 2020

32. American Counseling Association, Responds to Executive Order on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping, Sept. 29, 2020  

33. University of Michigan President, Statement on Executive Order on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping, Sept. 26, 2020

34. American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, ASBMB statement on Trump’s executive order banning racial sensitivity training, Sept. 25, 2020

35. American Dental Education Association, ADEA Statement in Support of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Workplace Training, Sept. 25, 2020

36. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, AACAP Statement on President’s Executive Order - "Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping,” Sept. 25, 2020

37. Internet Association, Statement on The Executive Order on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping, Sept. 25, 2020

38. National Association of Social Workers, NASW Affronted by President Trump’s Sinister Executive Order on Racial and Sexual Stereotyping, Sept. 25, 2020

39. American Educational Research Association and National Academy of Education, Statement Joined by 16 organizations in Support of Anti-Racist Education, Sept. 24, 2020

40. National Skills Coalition, NSC Statement on President's Executive Order Banning Anti-Racism and Anti-Sexism Training, Sept. 24, 2020

41. Union of Concerned Scientists, White House Executive Order Silences Anti-Racism, Anti-Sexism Programs at Federal Agencies, Sept. 24, 2020

42. National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, NADOHE statement on DEI training, Sept. 24, 2020

43. Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health, ASPPH Statement on Executive Order Halting Trainings on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping, Sept. 24, 2020

44. Association of American Medical Colleges, AAMC Statement on Executive Order on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping, Sept. 24, 2020

45. University of New Mexico Division for Equity and Inclusion, Response from the Division for Equity and Inclusion to Executive Order on "Combating Race & Sex Stereotyping", Sept. 24, 2020

46. Information Technology Industry Council, New Executive Order is a Major Step Backward for Racial Equality, Sept. 23, 2020

47. Congressional Black Caucus, Tri-Caucus Chairs’ Statement on Trump Administration Prohibiting Federal Agencies from Conducting Anti-Racism Training, Sept. 8, 2020

48. American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, AACP Statement Related to Racism, Education and the Sept. 22 Executive Order, date unknown  

49. American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare, AASWSW Strongly Opposes the September 22, 2020 Presidential Executive Order on Combatting Race and Sex Stereotyping, date unknown

50. National Coalition for Literacy, NCL Board Statement on Executive Order 13950, date unknown

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