The 2024 Equality Index — the National Urban League's semi-annual calculation of the social and economic standing of African Americans relative to white Americans was 75.7, an increase of just 1.8 from 2022. For reference, a score of 100 would represent full equality with other groups. With the fight for equality far from over, it is more crucial than ever that the federal government take action. However, having Donald Trump in office is a clear step backward for racial equality.
Trump's presidency is especially threatening to the fight for equality due to his racist comments and behavior. Trump was no stranger to backlash-sparking remarks throughout his recent campaign, with one of the most shocking being his decision to openly question the then-Democratic candidate Kamala Harris's race, claiming she was “faking being Black.” Elsewhere, he has repeatedly criticized and mocked African Americans and Black immigrants, notably by falsely alleging that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio were eating dogs and cats.
After taking office, Trump has moved swiftly to put his racist ideology into action. In his first presidential term, his tax cuts left out African Americans, while his criminal justice reforms increased police brutality. Now in his second term, Trump has not stopped. Specifically, Trump has revoked all Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity initiatives, thereby leaving potential racism in hiring unchecked and harming employment opportunities for minorities. Moreover, Trump has also instructed federal agencies to stop recognizing federal holidays like Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Black History Month. Trump has already begun to roll out his environmental and energy reform which includes things like pulling out of the Paris Climate Accord and increasing oil production. This is especially threatening to Black communities as Black Americans are 40 percent more likely than non-Black Americans to live in areas with extreme climate-change-driven changes.
Despite Trump's attempts at hindering equality, he has actually gained support from Black Americans nationwide. In the 2024 presidential election, Trump won 20 percent of the African American vote — more than double what he won in 2016. One possible theory behind this increase in support is the idea that Democrats have relied on Black voters as a sort of “guaranteed” vote — until 2024 that is. Another reason for the shift could be Trump's promises of economic stability and lower prices for basic necessities such as gas and groceries. However, Trump's economic plans are very detrimental to African American peoples’ economic well-being. His tax cuts on the wealthy will continue to pass many African Americans by and his plan to cut social security programs in the name of curbing spending will also widen the wealth gap between Black and non-Black Americans.
Regardless of voting statistics, Trump's policies are a step backward in the fight for equality. Until the next election, people must be vocal about the impacts of Trump's policies on citizens of color. Calling out harmful changes will hopefully shape the decisions voters make in the next election cycle.