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The Independent
08-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Trump's anti-DEI push doesn't stop Black Kentucky grads from holding an off-campus celebration
President Donald Trump 's push to eliminate diversity initiatives on college campuses didn't stop minority students from staging their own celebration after the University of Kentucky canceled ceremonies to honor its graduates who are Black or from other historically marginalized groups. Chalk it up as a lesson learned on how to think strategically to get a desired result. Several dozen students, adorned in graduation caps and gowns, basked in the limelight Wednesday as their families and friends cheered them at the off-campus celebration. The graduates were honored for their years of academic work, and they received specialty regalia such as stoles and cords that they can wear at the schoolwide commencement later this week. Speakers offered words of encouragement to the graduates, while steering clear of the fallout over federal and state Republican efforts to end diversity, equity and inclusion programs. 'You are charged with standing on our shoulders and doing bigger and better things,' said Christian Adair, executive director of the Lyric Theatre, the acclaimed cultural center for Lexington 's Black community where the celebration was held. The 'Senior Salute' program was organized after Kentucky 's flagship university recently called off celebrations for minority graduates. The school said it would no longer host 'identity-based or special-interest graduation celebrations,' citing 'federal and state policy changes and directives.' That's when members of the historically Black fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha stepped up and became the driving force behind organizing the replacement celebration. 'The message that I wanted to send is that if you want something to happen, then you can just go make it happen yourself,' said fraternity member Kristopher Washington, a key organizer of the new event and who is among the graduating students. "There's no waiting for somebody else to do it for you.' UK's actions were disappointing, but not surprising, Washington said. 'I already understood that the institution would likely look out for their own financial well-being before considering to do something ... for the students," he said. Most of the new graduates and audience members Wednesday were Black, though the event was billed as multicultural and open to an array of students — including those who are LGBTQ+ or among the first in their families to finish college. Ushers included David Wirtschafter, a Lexington rabbi who wanted to show his support for the students and who praised them for refusing to accept the loss of a cherished celebration. 'Kudos to them for taking the initiative and leadership when these unfortunate circumstances unfolded, to organize this event for themselves,' he said. Around the country, universities have come under increasing pressure to get in line with the political agenda of Trump's administration, which already has frozen billions of dollars in grants for Harvard University, Columbia University and other colleges over allegations they haven't done enough to counter what the administration feels is antisemitism. Trump's calls to eliminate any program that treats students differently because of their race have brought new scrutiny of affinity graduation ceremonies. The Education Department directed colleges to distance themselves from DEI with a letter in February. It said a 2023 Supreme Court decision outlawing the use of racial preferences in college admissions also applied to areas such as hiring, scholarships and graduation ceremonies. Kentucky's Republican-dominated Legislature passed legislation this year to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at public universities. In a recent video defending the cancellations, university President Eli Capilouto said the decision came at a time when "every part of our university is under stress and scrutiny.' The school said in a separate statement that it will celebrate all new graduates at its official commencement ceremonies. 'We have made tough decisions — decisions that, in and of themselves, cause concern and in some cases, hurt,' Capilouto said in the video. 'Canceling celebrations for people on our campus who haven't always seen themselves reflected in our broader community is one example. "We have taken that action because we believe that's what is required, and we believe complying with the law is the best way to protect our people and our continued capacity to support them,' he added. But its cancellation of the smaller celebrations to honor LGBTQ+, Black and first-generation graduates drew criticism from some students and relatives Wednesday. The events have long been seen as a way to build community and recognize the achievements and unique experiences of students from historically marginalized groups in society. Brandy Robinson was one of many family members who cheered on her nephew, Keiron Perez, at Wednesday's ceremony. She said it was important for relatives to share in the moment and she denounced UK's severing of ties to such events as a 'coward move.' 'To take those moments away from them out of fear, it's just really disappointing,' Robinson said. Asked why the event was important to students, Alpha Phi Alpha's president, Pierre PetitFrere, said: 'It gives the students something to remember and know that, even given the circumstances of what's going on around the world, they are still being recognized for their hard work and fighting through whatever many hardships they may have faced throughout their time in college.' UK spokesman Jay Blanton said the school recognized 'how meaningful these celebrations have been to many," and said student groups are welcome to host events. 'While the university can't continue sponsoring these events, we will continue working to ensure all students feel seen, valued and supported,' he said in a statement. But Marshae Dorsey, a graduating senior who took part in Wednesday's celebration, said UK decided to 'roll over' to the anti-DEI push, calling it "kind of like a slap in the face because something like this is so harmless.'
Associated Press
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Trump's anti-DEI push doesn't stop Black Kentucky grads from holding an off-campus celebration
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — President Donald Trump's push to eliminate diversity initiatives on college campuses didn't stop minority students from staging their own celebration after the University of Kentucky canceled ceremonies to honor its graduates who are Black or from other historically marginalized groups. Chalk it up as a lesson learned on how to think strategically to get a desired result. Several dozen students, adorned in graduation caps and gowns, basked in the limelight Wednesday as their families and friends cheered them at the off-campus celebration. The graduates were honored for their years of academic work, and they received specialty regalia such as stoles and cords that they can wear at the schoolwide commencement later this week. Speakers offered words of encouragement to the graduates, while steering clear of the fallout over federal and state Republican efforts to end diversity, equity and inclusion programs. 'You are charged with standing on our shoulders and doing bigger and better things,' said Christian Adair, executive director of the Lyric Theatre, the acclaimed cultural center for Lexington's Black community where the celebration was held. The 'Senior Salute' program was organized after Kentucky's flagship university recently called off celebrations for minority graduates. The school said it would no longer host 'identity-based or special-interest graduation celebrations,' citing 'federal and state policy changes and directives.' That's when members of the historically Black fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha stepped up and became the driving force behind organizing the replacement celebration. 'The message that I wanted to send is that if you want something to happen, then you can just go make it happen yourself,' said fraternity member Kristopher Washington, a key organizer of the new event and who is among the graduating students. 'There's no waiting for somebody else to do it for you.' UK's actions were disappointing, but not surprising, Washington said. 'I already understood that the institution would likely look out for their own financial well-being before considering to do something ... for the students,' he said. Most of the new graduates and audience members Wednesday were Black, though the event was billed as multicultural and open to an array of students — including those who are LGBTQ+ or among the first in their families to finish college. Ushers included David Wirtschafter, a Lexington rabbi who wanted to show his support for the students and who praised them for refusing to accept the loss of a cherished celebration. 'Kudos to them for taking the initiative and leadership when these unfortunate circumstances unfolded, to organize this event for themselves,' he said. Around the country, universities have come under increasing pressure to get in line with the political agenda of Trump's administration, which already has frozen billions of dollars in grants for Harvard University, Columbia University and other colleges over allegations they haven't done enough to counter what the administration feels is antisemitism. Trump's calls to eliminate any program that treats students differently because of their race have brought new scrutiny of affinity graduation ceremonies. The Education Department directed colleges to distance themselves from DEI with a letter in February. It said a 2023 Supreme Court decision outlawing the use of racial preferences in college admissions also applied to areas such as hiring, scholarships and graduation ceremonies. Kentucky's Republican-dominated Legislature passed legislation this year to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at public universities. In a recent video defending the cancellations, university President Eli Capilouto said the decision came at a time when 'every part of our university is under stress and scrutiny.' The school said in a separate statement that it will celebrate all new graduates at its official commencement ceremonies. 'We have made tough decisions — decisions that, in and of themselves, cause concern and in some cases, hurt,' Capilouto said in the video. 'Canceling celebrations for people on our campus who haven't always seen themselves reflected in our broader community is one example. 'We have taken that action because we believe that's what is required, and we believe complying with the law is the best way to protect our people and our continued capacity to support them,' he added. But its cancellation of the smaller celebrations to honor LGBTQ+, Black and first-generation graduates drew criticism from some students and relatives Wednesday. The events have long been seen as a way to build community and recognize the achievements and unique experiences of students from historically marginalized groups in society. Brandy Robinson was one of many family members who cheered on her nephew, Keiron Perez, at Wednesday's ceremony. She said it was important for relatives to share in the moment and she denounced UK's severing of ties to such events as a 'coward move.' 'To take those moments away from them out of fear, it's just really disappointing,' Robinson said. Asked why the event was important to students, Alpha Phi Alpha's president, Pierre PetitFrere, said: 'It gives the students something to remember and know that, even given the circumstances of what's going on around the world, they are still being recognized for their hard work and fighting through whatever many hardships they may have faced throughout their time in college.' UK spokesman Jay Blanton said the school recognized 'how meaningful these celebrations have been to many,' and said student groups are welcome to host events. 'While the university can't continue sponsoring these events, we will continue working to ensure all students feel seen, valued and supported,' he said in a statement. But Marshae Dorsey, a graduating senior who took part in Wednesday's celebration, said UK decided to 'roll over' to the anti-DEI push, calling it 'kind of like a slap in the face because something like this is so harmless.'
CBS News
08-05-2025
- CBS News
Investigation finds minority students at Colorado school district almost three times more likely to be disciplined for bullying than White students
Bullying can be a problem at any school. But in the Boulder Valley School District, a months-long investigation by CBS Colorado has discovered racial disparities in how schools discipline bullies. The investigation began after some parents of students who attend schools in the district shared concerns. At BVSD, CBS Colorado's investigation found minority students were almost three times more likely to be disciplined for bullying than White students. Parent says child experienced "traumatic" bullying When her daughter started coming home from school crying, Jamilla Richmond became a very vocal parent. "The bullying that she was experiencing was really traumatic. And it wasn't just the children, it was also adults who were participating in that," Richmond said. Richmond said it got so bad that last year she pulled her daughter out of fourth grade at Whittier International Elementary School. "There was an incident in which my daughter was waiting in line for lunch and four kids cornered her up against the wall, and my daughter felt threatened, so she pushed one of the kids to get out of that situation. They sent her to the office by herself, as though she were the aggressor," Richmond said. Richmond's daughter is Black, and she says those four other students were White. "That creates an image of perhaps children, Black children, Latino, Indigenous, looking as though they are the instigators in situations when in actuality they're really just responding to aggression, harassment and discrimination," Richmond said. Richmond and the school were previously involved in a discrimination lawsuit filed by a White family. However, this ended in a settlement with the school paying both Richmond and the other family. Boulder Valley School District responds CBS Colorado brought the state data to district superintendent Dr. Rob Anderson. "Is this something you've been tracking?" Your Reporter Sarah Horbacewicz asked. "We've been tracking this data for years and on a monthly basis our team comes together to look at trends, to decide if there are different practices that we need to be implementing, if there are different supports and resources. The analysis that you shared with me, I didn't see that until this morning," Anderson said. But BVSD still admits who and how they discipline overall is something they're working on. "Do you think your efforts have been successful so far?" Horbacewicz asked Anderson. "I think that we've been successful in a few things," Anderson said. "Over the past five years, we have reduced suspensions of our Hispanic, Latino students by 51%." "I think that we've reduced the amount of discipline. I don't know that the ... disproportionality has improved in the ways we would have hoped," he said. All trends the district says they meet about monthly when discussing all disciplinary reports and assessing their policies. Anderson says that racial disproportionality is also reflected in academic performance. As part of the investigation, CBS News reviewed state data in other Colorado school districts. The data showed that the district has the largest gap between White and minority students compared to similarly sized districts. CBS Colorado asked Anderson for a response to that. "Our data is more accurate, that we've created the systems and the trust within our community where folks will tell us when these things are happening, and they know that we'll follow through," Anderson said. Anderson says their process for reporting bullying includes a form on the school district's website. "I do think that there's continued training that needs to happen for all of us in the school district, not just for kids, but for teachers and for administrators as well," Anderson said. But parents like Richmond are still unsure. "I want to see the district actually do more than use its words," she said. "For ... children to be engaging in bullying, arguing, whatever it is, that's a completely different scenario than adults compounding that and piling on and assuming who's the culprit, who's the victim," Richmond said. Parents consider civil rights legal action Around 50 parents, including many CBS Colorado met with, say they are now considering taking civil rights legal action against the district. Not every incident of name-calling is reported to the state. The incidents in this data are largely those involving suspension or expulsion. Some of that responsibility comes down to the school district to collect and report their data.
