Donald Trump, the President of the United States for just over nine weeks now, has already enacted policies that threaten the livelihood of people of color, with action taken on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and immigration. The effects span to every corner of our country, and possibly RWU.
One of the most notable policies Trump acted on is the rollback of DEI. Those that work in DEI protect minorities from discrimination in the workplace and at school across the country. When asked if they feel that this will affect schooling, a member of the Multicultural Student Union (MSU) on campus (who requested to remain anonymous) answered, “It’ll affect public schools over private schools because they’ll have to comply since there is no way around it, given that it is federally ordered. I do think it also depends on what state one is in as well.”
President Trump has also attacked African American professional athletes for lawful protesting against police brutality calling them “ungrateful” for the opportunities America has given them. In response to similar protestors, he joked that police officers should “actually” engage in police brutality. When asked if this raises concerns for first amendment rights being in jeopardy, Chief Diversity Officer and Vice President for Equity and Inclusion at Roger Williams University Joanna Ravello-Goods said that as Americans we need to continue to have the right to peaceful protest. With consideration to institutions guidelines, “The university has established protocols for peaceful expression and protest of the impact of decisions on our lives. As long as protestors adhere to campus demonstration policies and obey the law.”
One member of the MSU who chose to remain anonymous said, “I am worried; given that there have been more examples showing that he has made attempts at changing rights that are known as constitutional rights.” Another member commented, “As of right now, I’ll keep some hope that our constitutional rights are safe, but we never know. Even though they might not be able to take the right/amendment completely away, there might be other subtle methods that we might not all notice that are used to limit us.”
Another policy the returning President has put into action is immigration bans, now totaling 21 separate actions. Trump has called for a “total and complete shutdown” of Muslim people traveling to the U.S. He has also diminished the number of refugees allowed into the country and ended the deferred action for childhood arrivals initiative. This affects nearly 800,000 Hispanic, Asian or Pacific Islander, or African American recipients and puts more than 10,000 young people at risk of deportation.
Regarding these actions, an anonymous student commented, “The whole thing draws in a lot of fear, not only for the people trying to escape the dangerous or terrifying situations where they’re immigrating from, but also for the people that have already settled here and have made honest lives for themselves.”
Additionally, Trump proposed that Congress cut funding from the Legal Services Corporation, a nonprofit that supports aid programs whose main clients are 17.9% Hispanic and 4% African American. When asked if these actions by Trump and his administration seem targeted towards minorities, Chief Diversity Officer and Vice President for Equity and Inclusion at RWU Joanna Ravello-Goods said, “He’s pretty clear as to why he’s doing what he’s doing, but now there’s pushback.”
Ravello-Goods spoke on RWU students’ reactions when asked if she’s experienced concern from students in the past weeks of Trump’s presidency. “Yes, I have been in conversations with various campus community members and groups. As mentioned in a recent campus email, University leadership will collaborate with community experts and engage with affected areas and programs to navigate changed effectively.”
Another anonymous MSU member said, “I was in awe; it may serve to be a real issue for people of color as his Presidency continues. There are already many students who rely on the aid and funding to even be able to consider attending a university.”
The Intercultural Center, QTRAC, and HAWEs are holding Breathe and Be sessions for LGBTQ+ and students of color. Ravello-Goods is also available from 1-3 pm on Wednesdays in the Intercultural Center and individual meetings with campus community members via Virtual Fridays. “We want to create a community where all members have opportunities to thrive,” she concluded, “We value our students and employees who bring unique experiences and backgrounds. That will not change.”
