
I do not even know where to begin. In just a few weeks, our entire federal government system seems to be turned upside down. Immediately after being sworn in as president, Trump started making changes to remove Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from government departments, and many corporations followed suit. This was written out in Project 2025, but many people did not want to believe it. As we kick off Black History Month, Trump also told the United States Air Force to remove material on the role of Black and female pilots during World War II from their training program. This includes the history and contributions made by our beloved Tuskegee Airmen and others. He signed an executive order banning such programs in the federal government. He told everyone exactly what he planned to do during his campaign, so none of this should come as a shock. He has also canceled Black History Month, Dr. King's Birthday as a holiday, and Juneteenth, to name a few. This is just the beginning.
When Trump started dismantling the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) departments across the government, it hit home personally because not only have I been trained in DEI, but my husband has been one of the leading DEI trainers globally. This has impacted us and the work we believe to be important to help make our country and the world not only more equitable but also a better place to live for everyone. I also heard how the president wants to eliminate anything and everything that does not agree with how he thinks and feels. He also said he wants positions in the government to be given based on merit only. Does he really mean based on who has supported him and will do things only the way he wants them to be done? The good old boy network is rising. Do the people he is currently appointing to various positions really have the qualifications and merit?
I recently read about Trump's desire to remake the federal bureaucracy during his first one hundred days. He is dismissing and shutting down departments and releasing Inspector Generals from various departments that he feels do not line up with his philosophy. He is trying to take America back to a time when many people had no rights, and that includes not only minorities but also women. Why do we have so much hatred evolving during this time? Why are people becoming scared of each other and not trusting one another? What is going on? The problem with this is that the playing field is still not equal. Most of all, power and money are still controlled by white men. How far will this administration try to take things back? When we hear people say make America great again or take America back, what does that mean? Take it back to when and where. What does again mean? Could it be possible for us to try to make America great with the diversity of the people that make up this great country going back to its origin? We are a country of immigrants. I think this administration wants to get rid of any immigrants that do not look like him.
I am proud to be an American. I have friends and family who have served in the armed forces for several generations. We all cherish the flag. However, it has become difficult to know who our enemies and detractors are, whether foreign or domestic. It feels like, in recent times, the meaning of loving and defending one’s country has changed. It almost seems unrecognizable who is the enemy and who we are fighting. No matter what, I cannot stop believing in and holding on to the hope America holds for each one of us. I believe we will rise and be the great country we were meant to be, but it will depend on each of us doing our part. This is not the first time we have had to fight for our rights. Maya Angelou said, “Freedom and justice cannot be parceled out in pieces to suit political convenience.” How far are we willing to let this action and behavior continue?
Healing Without Hate: It's a choice. It's a lifestyle. Pass it on.
Visit www.WendyGladney.com and www.forgivingforliving.org to learn more. Wendy is a life strategist, coach, consultant, author, and speaker.
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