Why DEI Scares Trump and Project 2025 and Why It Should
Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams
Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams
4.6 • 1.8K Ratings
🗓️ 16 January 2025
⏱️ 56 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is being weaponized by Donald Trump and Project 2025 and right-wing activists. That's because DEI has been around since the start of the country, opening doors of opportunity for millions of Americans, correcting past wrongs, and, crucially, benefiting everyone. In this episode, Stacey Abrams speaks with Kenji Yoshino, director of NYU’s Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging and a constitutional law professor, about why we should clearly define, defend, and expand DEI. They explain who is covered, counter the misinformation about how DEI works, and advocate for DEI as a necessary tool for the future for the country.
For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
We want to hear your questions. Send us an email at assemblyrequired@crooked.com or leave us a voicemail at 213-293-9509. You and your question might be featured on the show.
Learn & Do More:
- Sign up for updates from American Pride Rises at aprnetwork.org
- Find risk assessment resources from the Meltzer Center at advancingdei.meltzercenter.org
- Check out Nicholas Confessore’s thorough reporting on DEI opposition for The New York Times
Transcript
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| 1:18.6 | I'm your host, Stacey Abrams. |
| 1:20.9 | This week we're taking on an issue that affects all of us, yet it's often one of the most misunderstood and increasingly one of the most |
| 1:29.2 | politically weaponized. And that's the conversation about diversity, equity, and inclusion, |
| 1:34.8 | otherwise known as DEI. Now, opponents of DEI have a very clear strategy. They want to demonize |
| 1:42.0 | diversity. They want to invalidate equity. And they really want to block |
| 1:46.7 | inclusion. And that's because DEI isn't new. I know it feels like you've been hearing about it a lot |
| 1:52.2 | recently, but it's been around for more than 240 years, basically since the start of the country. |
| 1:59.5 | And even more concerning to those who oppose it, |
| 2:02.6 | it's working. You see, as our nation has evolved, we have done the work of actually making |
| 2:11.0 | our country match our mission. And as we continue to evolve, those who oppose these foundational values of diversity, equity, |
... |
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