(gentle orchestral music) (bright string music) - Welcome to "The Newsfeed."

I'm Paris Jackson.

Since taking office, President Trump has signed a series of executive orders, among them, some to dismantle diversity, equity, inclusion initiatives at the federal level.

(soft ambient music) The President describes the actions, which are currently being challenged in court, as ending illegal discrimination and restoring merit-based opportunity.

The executive orders, other administration pressures, and the Supreme Court's 2023 affirmative action ruling have prompted major retailers, companies, and some universities to cut or alter their DEI programs.

To unpack this shift, we talked to Seattle University political science professor and attorney, Angelique Davis, who calls the administration's actions "racial gaslighting."

You and a fellow researcher coined the phrase "racial gaslighting."

What is it?

And in the context of DEI, how does it relate to merit?

- Yes, so I did this research with Rose Ernst, and racial gaslighting, it's a process that normalizes racism by making those who resist racism the enemy.

So, for example, you asked about the term "merit," right?

That term has been manipulated to support an anti-DEI agenda.

So now when "merit" is used, it becomes racial gaslighting when they make those who support DEI the enemy, right?

So it's used to paint a picture that all of those who benefited from DEI are the problem, right?

Essentially, calling them incompetent or freeloaders, right?

Which the data doesn't actually support that, and they're painting diversity initiatives as un-American.

- In your research, you argue racial gaslighting functions as a diversionary tactic.

You say the President's executive orders are just that.

How so?

- So right now, the administration is intentionally creating confusion using diversionary tactics in order to make those who don't fit their agenda the enemy, right?

This was actually talked about back in 2018 by former White House chief strategist, Steve Bannon, when he talked about flooding the zone.

And so that's exactly what they're trying to do.

And they're trying to disorient their opponents because it actually doesn't allow a chance for them to catch their breath or to respond, and almost impossible to correct the narrative.

- Locally, we're seeing companies who once championed diversity-related policies are backtracking.

What are these actions pushing society toward?

- Right now, we're experiencing a political whiplash, right?

Companies who supported DEI and even made statements of support, anti-racism statements, just a few years ago during the uprisings surrounding the murder of George Floyd and many others, they're now pulling back those same policies because it's politically expedient.

- What is the function of DEI?

- Well, DEI is actually not intended to provide special privileges, as some have used that language.

It's actually intended to correct historical wrongs and also level the playing field, right?

So, for those who have historically not had access, to actually create opportunities for access to what many Americans have always had access to, right?

Yet, because of our history of racism and other forms of oppression, not everyone has had an equal seat at the table.

So, really the goal is not to privilege anyone.

It's essentially to give everyone a seat at the table.

- It was a pleasure speaking with you, Professor Davis.

- Thank you very much for having me.

(bright string music) - I'm Paris Jackson.

Thank you for watching "The Newsfeed," your destination for nonprofit Northwest news.

Go to cascadepbs.org for more great local coverage.

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