2012
Library of Congress Agrees to Home the History Makers
From the CBS 60 Minutes piece on the HistoryMakers:
“By 2012, [the HistoryMakers founder Julieanna Richardson] had discovered so much, the archive [documenting Black achievement] had grown so vast, the collection so significant, the Library of Congress agreed to become its permanent repository. Alongside the only other project of its magnitude – the WPA Slave Narratives, recorded during the Great Depression.”
2013
Black Lives Matter Movement
2017
Neil Gorsuch Appointed to Supreme Court by President Trump
In April 2017, Neil Gorsuch was confirmed to the Supreme Court following a contentious process that involved the Senate Republicans eliminating the filibuster for Supreme Court nominees. Gorsuch, known for his strict textualist approach, has played a pivotal role in rulings that have curtailed voting rights, weakened labor unions, and prioritized religious exemptions over civil rights protections. His opinions have often undermined progress on equal rights, raising concerns about the erosion of hard-fought advancements in civil and human rights.
2018
Brett Kavanaugh Joins Supreme Court Amid Controversy
In October 2018, Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed to the Supreme Court following a polarizing confirmation process. His appointment cemented a conservative majority on the Court, with rulings that have weakened reproductive rights, upheld gerrymandered voting maps, and limited federal oversight in combating discrimination. Kavanaugh’s decisions reflect a backlash against decades of progress in civil rights, threatening to drag the country backward in the fight for justice and equality.
2020
Nikole Hannah-Jones Wins Pulitzer Prize
Nikole Hannah-Jones wins award for “a sweeping, provocative and personal essay for the ground-breaking 1619 Project, which seeks to place the enslavement of Africans at the center of America’s story, prompting public conversation about the nation’s founding and evolution.”
On November 7, 2020, Kamala Harris was elected as the 49th Vice President of the United States, making history as the first woman, as well as the first Black and South Asian American, to hold the office.
Prior to her vice presidency, Harris served as the District Attorney of San Francisco, Attorney General of California, and U.S. Senator from California.
Her election marked a significant milestone in American history, breaking multiple barriers and setting a precedent for future generations.
In October 2020, Amy Coney Barrett was confirmed to the Supreme Court just days before the presidential election, replacing the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Barrett’s rulings have frequently prioritized conservative ideologies over protections for marginalized communities, including limiting access to abortion, undermining affirmative action, and supporting restrictions on LGBTQ+ rights. Her appointment marked a significant shift in the Court’s trajectory, sparking fears of a rollback on civil and human rights and signaling a backlash against recent progress in social justice.
These appointments underscore a deliberate shift toward a conservative judiciary, raising alarms about the long-term consequences for equality and justice in America.
2022
Florida Restricts Race-related Lessons
Florida instituted restrictions on how schools and businesses can teach race-related concepts. The law, called the Stop Woke Act, limits instruction on critical race theory. Since its signing, K-12 public educators in the state have been prohibited from instructing students on the concepts of privilege or oppression based on their race, sex, or national origin. It’s the latest part of Republican Gov. Ron Desantis’ extensive efforts to reshape public education and curriculum in the state of Florida.
US Schools Ban 1,600 Books
According to CBS News: “During the 2021-2022 school year, more than 1,600 books were banned from school libraries. The bans affected 138 school districts in 32 states, according to a report from PEN America, an organization dedicated to protecting free expression in literature.”
According to PEN America, “the large majority of book bans underway today are not spontaneous, organic expressions of citizen concern. Rather, they reflect the work of a growing number of advocacy organizations that have made demanding censorship of certain books and ideas in schools part of their mission.”
2023
Kansas and other states pass laws against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Across the United States, 2023 has seen a significant number of proposed laws aimed at addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and curriculum in higher education. More than 30 bills targeting DEI have been introduced since April 17, reflecting the widespread nature of this trend.
United States Supreme Court Rules Against Affirmative Action in College Admissions
The U.S. Supreme Court made a historic decision that effectively ended race-conscious admission programs at colleges and universities nationwide. The decision, supported by the conservative supermajority, invalidated admissions programs at Harvard and the University of North Carolina. It overturns decades of precedent and prohibits colleges from considering race as a factor in admissions. Chief Justice John Roberts, who opposes affirmative action, argued that colleges should use colorblind criteria. However, opponents of the decision, such as Columbia University President Bollinger and Justice Sonia Sotomayor, believe it perpetuates racial inequality and undermines equal protection. The decision is expected to have far-reaching consequences, impacting not only higher education but also areas like employment and promotion decisions.
2024
State-Level DEI Bans and DEI Backlash
Alabama, Iowa, and Utah enacted legislation prohibiting DEI offices in public universities, reflecting a broader trend that began in 2023 with states like Florida and Texas. Additionally, Idaho, Indiana, and Kansas barred colleges from requiring diversity statements in hiring and admissions processes.
A group of Democratic lawmakers urged major U.S. companies to maintain their DEI initiatives amid legal challenges and a shifting political climate, emphasizing the importance of inclusive practices in the workplace. Despite this, after the Republicans won the 2024 election, some companies started rolling back diversity and inclusion efforts to appease the incoming administration.
Supreme Court Employment Discrimination Cases
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear cases addressing the standards for proving employment discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. These cases could significantly impact how claims of workplace bias are adjudicated, particularly concerning whether white, straight workers face a higher bar in bias lawsuits.
Surge in Discriminatory State Laws
On February 22, 2024, Boynton Beach, Florida, repealed a long-overlooked “sundown law” that enforced segregation by restricting Black residents from being in certain areas after dark. This historic move dismantles a relic of Jim Crow-era racism and underscores the city’s commitment to confronting its past while building a more inclusive future.
Between 2020 and 2024, 30 states passed laws adversely affecting marginalized groups, including people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals. This legislative trend has raised concerns about the health and well-being of these communities.
Supreme Court Decision on Electoral Maps
In May 2024, the Supreme Court issued a decision allowing racial discrimination in the drawing of voting maps, a ruling that has significant implications for electoral representation and the protection of minority voting rights.
Boynton Beach Repeals Racist Sundown Law in Historic Move Toward Justice
On February 22, 2024, Boynton Beach, Florida, repealed a long-overlooked “sundown law” that enforced segregation by restricting Black residents from being in certain areas after dark. This historic move dismantles a relic of Jim Crow-era racism and underscores the city’s commitment to confronting its past while building a more inclusive future.
The repeal comes after a unanimous vote by the city commission, prompted by a resident’s discovery of the discriminatory ordinance during archival research. The decision reflects ongoing efforts to address systemic racism and foster equity, shining a light on the enduring impact of these laws and the importance of active reconciliation with history.
This pivotal moment reminds us that the fight for justice requires vigilance, transparency, and courage. Boynton Beach’s action serves as a model for communities reckoning with the legacy of institutionalized racism.