Donald Trump’s U.S. presidential victory and its implications has many Black Americans concerned, including Sylvester Edwards, president of the Terre Haute branch of the NAACP.
Those concerns include the potential rollback of civil rights and efforts to limit or end federal diversity and inclusion programs.
“There is a concern about DEI [diversity, equity and inclusion] and everything we have gained in the past,” Edwards said. “The country knew or should have known about Project 2025 and what it concerns to the citizens of this country, especially black and brown citizens.”
According to NPR, Project 2025 refers to a controversial plan drafted by the conservative Heritage Foundation to overhaul the U.S. government. The 900-page document lays out a roadmap for reorganizing the federal government to promote a conservative agenda.
If carried out, it could mean “the rights and privileges we’ve gained over the years may be altered or even taken away,” Edwards said.
It suggests a willingness to “turn the clock back to the 1950s. That is not making America great,” he said.
“We have gained as a people hopes and aspirations for the future, and then there is group of people making decisions to take any and everything we gained away,” Edwards said. “I cannot see any right in this. I can only see wrong.”
According to a Nov. 7 article by Reuters, Trump denies he is racist and believes his economic agenda will lower taxes, housing costs, and boost job creation for all Americans, including Black Americans.
