Dr. Zekeh Gbotokuma argues that the 47th president’s attack on diversity, equity and inclusion distorts Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision by promoting a false notion of “colorblind” meritocracy. He contends that Executive Order 14173 and related rhetoric recast efforts to remedy historic discrimination as bias against White men, reinforcing a “presumption of incompetence” toward women and minorities. Drawing on Bernice King and other scholars, Gbotokuma maintains that King called for confronting racism—not ignoring it—and warns that dismantling DEI threatens civil-rights gains and deepens inequality.
Author Archives: Dr. Zekeh S. Gbotokuma
Posted inOPINION
GIVE US THE BALLOT: Commemorating the 58th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday in the Shadows of ‘Jim Crow 2.0’ Laws
Dr. Zekeh Gbotokuma, Assoc. Prof. of Philosophy, Morgan State University ON MAY 17, 1957, OR THREE YEARS AFTER THE BROWN V. BOARD OF EDUCATION decision, Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. showed his commitment to and advocacy for the civil rights in the United States through his “Give Us the Ballot” speech. The occasion was the […]
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Op-ed: FRANCISCONOMICS: Reflections on Pope Francis’ ‘Hands Off Africa’ Speech in the Democratic Republic of Congo
By Dr. Zekeh S. Gbotokuma AS WE CELEBRATE THE BLACK HISTORY MONTH (BHM) 2023 WITH A FOCUS ON THE THEME OF “BLACK RESISTANCE,” it is imperative to reiterate our expression of gratitude to African American heroes and sheroes who have exemplified the theories and practices of resistance. These s/heroes include but are not limited to […]
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MARYLAND’S ‘MOORE’ PERFECT UNION: Reflections on a Historic Inauguration, King’s Dream, Democracy, and Demographics in the Divided States in Americas
By Dr. Zekeh S. Gbotokuma The Juneteenth weekend 2022 coincided with the 45th annual AFRAM Festival at Baltimore City’s Druid Hill Park. My wife Madeleine and I joined the urban community in enjoying outdoor activities that we have missed for two years due to COVID-19 draconian measures. My wife heard about Wes Moore before via […]
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EPIPHANY AND UNSUNG PATRIOTISM: A Tribute to the Republican Leaders in the War on Trumpocracy and Our Collective Struggle to Rescue Democracy in the USA
By Dr. Zekeh S. Gbotokuma According to the Christian tradition, January 6 is the day of ‘Epiphany,’ or “manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi” (Matthew 2: 1-12). Epiphany is the official end the Christmas time. The term also means, “a manifestation of a divine or supernatural being” (Oxford Languages). […]
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Midterms: What Have ‘Climate Hell’ and Inflation Reduction Act Got to Do with Decision 2022?
By Dr. Zekeh S. Gbotokuma On Tuesday, November 8, 2022, the American eligible voters, 40 million of whom have already voted early, will cast their votes to express their preferences in the Decision 2022. Like in every election year, there are no shortages of issues. According to the CNN POLL conducted by SSRS on October […]
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Decision 2022: I Voted. Therefore, I Care About the Future of Democracy in the USA
By Dr. Zekeh S. Gbotokuma Democracy is, to paraphrase Pope Francis’ statement during his speech to the Greek Parliament, “on retreat.” Believe it or not, this is the case in many countries and the U.S. is no exception. Our democracy is under assault by anti-democratic forces. It is under existential threat. It must be defended […]
Posted inCommentary
My Memories of Saint (Pope) John Paul II on His Feast Day
By Dr. Zekeh S. Gbotokuma FOR THE 1 BILLION+ ROMAN CATHOLICS, OCTOBER 22 IS SAINT JOHN PAUL II’S FEAST. Forty-four years ago on October 16, 1978, a historic event took place in the Roman Catholic Church, that is, the election of a non-Italian Sovereign Pontiff. I am talking about Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, Archbishop of Cracow, […]
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OBAMANOMICS: A Tribute to President Barack Obama on His 61st Birthday
By Zekeh S. Gbotokuma, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Morgan State University THE 44TH POTUS BARACK OBAMA WAS BORN IN HONOLULU, HAWAII (USA) ON AUGUST 4TH, 1961. Today is his 61st birthday. In celebration of this day, I chose to pay a special tribute to him by sharing some of the things that I wrote about […]
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Reflections on Maryland Primary Election Day
By Zekeh S. Gbotokuma In July 2022, Maryland voters carried out their civic duty. They drove and walked to polling stations to vote for candidates running in a variety of political races.Voters had their say on who should get a political party nomination for offices such as comptroller, attorney general, governor, and Congress. The early […]
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Spero, Ergo Sum, or I Hope, Therefore I am: Meditations on Martin L. King, Jr. Day
By Dr. Zekeh S. Gbotokuma IN CELEBRATION OF DR. MARTIN L. KING, JR’S DAY 2022, I decided to reflect on my long safari or journey as an immigrant from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to the United States of America (USA) via Europe, where I spent twelve years, studying and working, from Italy to […]
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The color line problem today: The UN call to dismantle racism instead of denying it
Dr. Zekeh S. Gbotokuma By Dr. Zekeh S. Gbotokuma Lauren Giella In a video speech on global human rights developments during a session of the Human Rights Council on June 21, 2021 in Geneva, Switzerland, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet stated, among other things, “I am calling on all states to […]