Could his plans negatively impact HBCUs?
President-elect Donald Trump recently announced a proposal reportedly dedicated to giving reparations to white Americans, sending shockwaves across the country.
In a new video posted days after the election, while he does not explicitly state it, Trump implied that white Americans are “victims” of racial discrimination when it comes to education policies. The president-elect said that he will initiate federal civil rights cases against schools that allegedly “engage in racial discrimination.”
The Justice Department will reportedly be contacted to penalize colleges that have diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. These colleges will also be fined for “restitution” after being taxed with a portion dedicated to paying reparations for white people.
The newest plan for reparations could potentially affect Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Established in 1964, HBCUs were created specifically to ensure that Black Americans were not denied their right to higher education during a time when racial segregation was legal. If deemed to be part of the educational policies that “engage in racial discrimination,” the institutions could potentially be part of the schools which may be taxed.
By enforcing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 & Title II of the ADA, @EDcivilrights protects students from discrimination because of a disability.
— U.S. Department of Education (@usedgov) November 13, 2024
More on ED’s work to protect students from discrimination in education: https://t.co/fowrvNCTpC pic.twitter.com/ldIbfygrKS
“A portion of the seized funds will then be used as restitution for victims of these illegal and unjust policies, policies that hurt our country so badly,” Trump said in the video. “Colleges have gotten hundreds of billions of dollars from hardworking taxpayers, and now we are going to get this anti-American insanity out of our institutions once and for all. We are going to have real education in America.”
The announcement of the reparations for white Americans comes after repeated promises were made by Trump and his campaign to go after the Department of Education.
Trump is about to pay reparations to white people who have suffered “racial discrimination” due to “diversity initiatives” in higher education. This exactly why ideas such as “black people can be racist toward whites” have to be shut down. They’re about to institutionalize that. pic.twitter.com/GWqYUyi5MN
— Zion (@feelmyhelpcomin) November 12, 2024
Although the department’s full closure might be unlikely because of the lack of support from congressional Democrats, the Trump administration is looking to continue the decades-long fight by Republicans, which began with the Reagan administration.
If targeted, Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which helps fund public schools, may be affected. Pell Grants may also be removed from the system. Federal Pell Grants are part of student aid, helping low-income Americans with paying for higher education.
Along with the grants, nearly $1.6 trillion in federal student loans provided by the Department of Education and federal civil rights in schools may also be affected.
The Department of Education collects data through its Office for Civil Rights, which is dedicated specifically to ensuring that no student is discriminated against in education.
Although Trump has shown support for removing the Department of Education, the plan is unpopular among most Americans. Approximately 6 in 10 survey participants in a UMass Amherst study opposed getting rid of the department.
