Denying Black History is Morally Reprehensible
Preview:
“Morally reprehensible” is the devastating judgmental phrase that Acting Assistant Secretary of Education for Civil Rights Craig Trainor uses in his opening sentence of his February 14, 2025 “Dear Colleague” letter spelling out new rules and coercive threats for race conscious practices in education. What is truly morally reprehensible is Trainor’s gaslighting of the history of educational racism in the United States. He cites harm specifically to white and Asian students due to “institutions’ embrace of pervasive and repugnant race-based preferences” while not once mentioning the historic, persistent and often violent denial of educational opportunities — and, hence, economic and social opportunities — to Black Americans across centuries. Erasing Black History is shameful.
Originally published: February 26, 2025
Author: Patricia McGuire
Position: President
Institution: Trinity Washington University
Published by: Diverse Issues in Higher Education