By Joe W. Bowers Jr., California Black Media
President Donald Trump’s second inaugural address outlined his vision for a “golden age” in America. Delivered on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the speech acknowledged Black voters for their record turnout and pledged to honor King’s dream. While Trump’s words struck a hopeful tone, promising national unity, prosperity, and restoration, his lack of specifics on systemic inequities — particularly those impacting Black Californians –raises concerns about the direction of his administration’s policies.
Following the formal address, Trump’s remarks to an overflow crowd provided a more candid, and at times contradictory, preview of his leadership.
Black Voters: Acknowledged, But What’s Next?
Trump thanked Black and Hispanic voters for their record turnout, saying, “I’ve heard your voices in the campaign, and I look forward to working with you in the years to come.”
However, Trump’s pledge to create a “colorblind and merit-based society” and to end “social engineering of race and gender” signals a departure from equity-focused initiatives like Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). While he did not explicitly mention DEI in his address, his rhetoric reflects his intent to dismantle policies aimed at addressing systemic inequities in employment, education, representation, and more.
In California, DEI initiatives have expanded access to education and career opportunities for Black communities, including increasing Black representation in STEM fields. A federal rollback of such policies threatens to undermine this progress and limit support for equity-driven reforms nationwide.
Economic Policies: Risks to Green Jobs and Equity
Trump’s economic plan prioritizes energy independence, eliminating the Green New Deal, and rolling back electric vehicle mandates. While these policies aim to lower costs and create energy jobs, they conflict with California’s focus on renewable energy and environmental justice, which have created economic opportunities in underserved communities, including many Black neighborhoods.
Programs like the High Road Training Partnership (HRTP), supported by the California Workforce Development Board, and legislation like Assembly Bill (AB) 398 (Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia, D – Coachella), direct resources from California’s cap-and-trade program to disadvantaged areas affected by pollution and economic hardship. Federal shifts away from renewables risk stalling this progress and limiting pathways to economic mobility for Black Californians who have benefited from the state’s clean energy initiatives.
Public Safety: A Return to Over-Policing?
Trump’s promise to restore “law and order” includes designating cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and intensifying federal law enforcement efforts. While presented as public safety measures, these policies lack systemic criminal justice reforms, which are essential for addressing over-policing and racial biases.
California has led in implementing reforms through initiatives like the Racial and Identity Profiling Act and the California Justice Fund, which focus on reducing racial disparities in policing and supporting re-entry programs for formerly incarcerated individuals. Without similar commitments from the federal government, these efforts could face challenges, and Black communities could disproportionately bear the brunt of punitive enforcement strategies.
Education: Equity Efforts at Risk
In his address, Trump criticized the education system for promoting what he described as anti-American sentiment and pledged to focus on reforms that instill national pride. However, his remarks did not address disparities in education, including unequal funding and the digital divide, which disproportionately impact Black students in California.
DEI initiatives have played a key role in addressing these inequities by promoting inclusive practices and fair resource allocation across schools. DEI principles support efforts to ensure Black students have access to the tools and opportunities needed to succeed academically.
Federal opposition to these efforts could slow progress and exacerbate inequities for Black students.
Post-Address Remarks: Unity Contradicted
After his formal address, Trump spoke to an overflow crowd, where he revisited false claims about the 2020 election and announced plans to pardon individuals convicted in the January 6th Capitol riot, framing them as victims of injustice.
These remarks contradict his earlier calls for unity and respect for the rule of law and should be cause for concern for Black Californians about the Federal government’s priorities under his leadership. By downplaying the Capitol riot and aligning with those who disrupted democratic processes, Trump signals a willingness to shift focus away from critical issues like policing reform, equitable justice, and fair representation in government and business jobs — issues central to Black communities.
Unity and Action: A Gap Between Words and Policies
Trump’s approach to equity diverges significantly from past presidential efforts to address racial disparities. For instance, Lyndon B. Johnson’s Great Society programs and Barack Obama’s executive actions on criminal justice reform sought to address systemic inequities. By contrast, Trump’s rejection of race-conscious policies in favor of a “colorblind” framework overlooks the realities of structural inequality that persist for many Black Americans.
Conclusion
President Trump’s inaugural address and subsequent remarks revealed a mix of promises and contradictions. His statements about dismantling race-conscious policies, while avoiding explicit references to DEI, signals a rollback of principles central to promoting equity and justice.
As Trump’s agenda takes shape, Black Californians will need to rely on trusted advocates like the California Legislative Black Caucus, the California NAACP, and the California Black Chamber of Commerce. These leaders and organizations have a proven track record of championing equity and inclusion, ensuring that progress continues at the state and local levels.
For Black Californians, unity and progress must be measured by concrete actions that address systemic inequities and deliver meaningful change. A “golden age” can only be realized when it brings equity and opportunity to all communities.
About the Author
Joe W. Bowers Jr. is a contributing editor at California Black Media. He is a graduate of Stanford University.
