Introduction
A leaked video, obtained and published by Accuracy in Media and first reported by Fox News, has stirred national debate over the role of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs in schools. The video features Meryl Johnson, the education committee chair for the Cleveland chapter of the NAACP, stating that the organization will be awarding “justice” honors to school board members who resist federal efforts—particularly those linked to Donald Trump’s administration—to eliminate DEI frameworks in public education.
The Controversial Video Leak
The footage, reportedly taken during a “Teach Truth Day of Action” Zoom briefing earlier this month, shows Johnson expressing support for school board members in Ohio and other states who she claims are standing up against “immoral” directives from former President Trump’s federal guidance to dismantle DEI policies.
“We have some school board members… who understand what their job is, and that’s to put students first,” Johnson said. “Some school board members in Ohio have defied that, what I call, an immoral suggestion from the president, to sign anti-DEI, anti-Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion directives.”
NAACP’s Position on DEI
The NAACP has long advocated for inclusive policies in education, especially for historically marginalized communities. Johnson’s remarks reinforce the organization’s unwavering commitment to equity in public education. She emphasized that the NAACP’s goal is to spotlight individuals who prioritize student wellbeing over political pressure.
According to Johnson, the organization’s “justice” awards will specifically recognize board members who resist complying with policies that aim to limit or ban DEI principles in their respective districts.
The Broader Context: Trump and DEI Policies
Under the Trump administration, several federal-level efforts were made to curtail the implementation of DEI initiatives, particularly within educational institutions and government departments. This included an executive order in 2020 restricting federal diversity training programs that the administration argued were “divisive” and “un-American.”
Though the Biden administration has since reversed many of those measures, Trump’s influence continues at the state and local levels, especially in conservative-led school districts and education boards that have moved to restrict or abolish DEI-based programs.
Underground DEI Efforts in Academia
The leaked video also included a clip of UNC Asheville Dean Megan Pugh, who seemed to acknowledge that despite state-level bans or federal pressures, DEI efforts are still being carried out—albeit more discreetly. “We just call it something different,” Pugh allegedly said, indicating that rebranding DEI under different terminologies is a tactic some academic institutions are adopting to continue pursuing inclusive goals without attracting political backlash.
This revelation raises questions about transparency, adherence to laws, and the nature of administrative workarounds in politically charged educational environments.
Support and Backlash
The NAACP’s initiative has sparked both praise and criticism. Supporters argue that recognizing school board members for standing up for inclusivity sends a powerful message in favor of equitable education. Civil rights organizations, many educators, and parents from minority communities view this move as necessary pushback against what they describe as a regressive political agenda.
Conversely, critics argue that the NAACP is politicizing education and encouraging civil disobedience against federal guidance. Conservative voices, particularly those aligned with Trump’s policies, view the move as an attack on local governance and a way to indoctrinate students with left-leaning ideologies under the guise of DEI.
Implications for School Governance
This development places school board members in a difficult position. On one side, they face growing scrutiny from state legislatures and federal entities pushing for neutrality or the removal of race- and identity-based initiatives. On the other, they’re being celebrated and supported by national civil rights organizations for resisting such directives.
Whether this will embolden more educators and board officials to act against anti-DEI laws remains to be seen. However, this clearly reflects the increasing politicization of education and school governance in the U.S.
Conclusion
The NAACP’s decision to honor those defying Trump-era DEI restrictions reveals deep ideological divides in the American education system. While one side sees this as a moral and necessary stance in defense of inclusivity and equality, others view it as a challenge to legal authority and a politicized interpretation of public service.
As the 2024 presidential election and national education reform debates heat up, this story serves as yet another example of how education remains one of the most hotly contested battlegrounds in American political life.
