Examining Trump’s Pro-Black Achievements: A Critical Analysis

In a controversial op-ed piece, author Michael Harriot delves into the impact of former President Barack Obama’s policies on Black Americans, specifically in the realm of education and school discipline. Harriot highlights the significant racial disparities in school discipline that existed prior to Obama’s intervention, with Black students being disproportionately affected by suspensions, expulsions, and arrests.

Obama’s administration utilized the legal concept of “disparate impact” to address these disparities, issuing a “Dear Colleague” letter to public school districts threatening disparate impact lawsuits based on racial disparities in student discipline. The result was a significant decrease in out-of-school suspension rates for Black students, with thousands fewer students facing disciplinary actions.

However, Harriot notes that the policy implemented by Obama faced backlash from conservatives, who criticized it as harmful to Black students. Despite the positive outcomes and data showing the policy’s benefits for all students, the Trump administration ultimately reversed Obama’s Dear Colleague letter, much to the dismay of many in the Black community.

Harriot goes on to dissect ten of Trump’s purported achievements for Black Americans, debunking claims of economic success, HBCU funding, stimulus checks, and criminal justice reform. He challenges the narrative that Trump was a champion for Black Americans, pointing out inconsistencies and failures in his policies.

Ultimately, Harriot’s op-ed serves as a critical examination of the impact of political decisions on the Black community, highlighting the complexities and nuances of policies that claim to benefit marginalized groups.