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.
Tag: Bernice King
Posted inBlack History
Why Bernice King sees MLK Day as a ‘saving grace’ in today’s political climate
Bernice King says Martin Luther King Jr. Day offers a moral and emotional “saving grace” amid today’s political division, reminding the nation of hope, nonviolence and the ongoing fight against poverty, racism and militarism. She urges Americans to honor her father’s legacy not only through service, but through sustained personal reflection and action toward a more just, humane and peaceful society.
Posted inAfro Briefs
FBI’s Release of MLK assassination files is an invasion of privacy, say King’s children
President Donald Trump’s executive order to release over 240,000 pages of FBI documents on the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has sparked backlash from King’s children, who call the move an invasion of privacy. They argue the files, rooted in the FBI’s COINTELPRO campaign, are part of a longstanding effort to discredit their father and the civil rights movement.
Posted inNational News
Judge weighs government’s request to unseal records of FBI’s surveillance of Martin Luther King Jr.
A federal judge is considering the 47th presidential administration’s request to unseal FBI surveillance records on Martin Luther King Jr.—currently sealed until 2027—amid opposition from King’s family and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, who cite privacy concerns and government overreach.
Posted inNational News
Bernice King urges people to focus on her father’s teachings in 2025
Bernice King, daughter of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., is urging people to truly focus on his teachings and work throughout the coming year, rather than just quoting him or celebrating for a day, in the lead up to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.
Posted inArts & Culture
Civil rights leaders, members of local arts community react to death of Nikki Giovanni, acclaimed poet and activist
Nikki Giovanni, a celebrated poet, author and activist, died at 81 years old after a recent diagnosis of lung cancer, leaving a void in the literary world and a legacy of impacting generations with her words and actions.