How the Tuskegee Airmen Emerged as Symbol of Resistance Against Trump’s DEI Rollback

By Barnett Wright | The Birmingham Times Numerous leaders and institutions in Alabama — including The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI), a non-partisan, non-political institution, and U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell — are expressing alarm as President Donald Trump rolls back Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. That includes removing a Tuskegee Airmen history video from the Air Force instruction curriculum, which was later reversed after widespread criticism. Many fear the move against the Tuskegee Airmen may become part of a trend but also shows what can happen when “collective” voices are heard. Rep. Terri Sewell On Wednesday, those voices were again heard. Trump’s budget office rescinded a memo freezing spending on federal loans and grants, less than two days after it sparked widespread confusion and legal challenges across the country. The about-face was the latest sign of what can happen when voices are heard, say leaders. “We cannot remain silent over President Donald Trump’s reversal of President Lyndon Johnson’s 1965 Executive Order that promoted equal opportunity for people of color and women in federal contractors’ recruitment, hiring, training and other employment practices,” wrote Rosilyn Houston, Chair, BCRI Board of Directors, in a statement on Sunday. “This is merely the latest...