BLACK mobile logo

california

politics

Poll Downplays Racism, Project 2025 Doesn’t

August 6, 2025

A recent Associated Press-NORC poll reveals declining public confidence in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, with only about one-third of Americans believing these initiatives reduce discrimination against women and most minority groups. The survey also shows a significant decrease in Americans' perception of racial discrimination against Black and Asian populations since 2021, despite 74% of Black respondents reporting continued discrimination in their communities. Civil rights organizations like the Legal Defense Fund's Thurgood Marshall Institute have raised alarms about Project 2025, a Heritage Foundation policy blueprint they claim threatens Black communities by proposing to dismantle civil rights protections, privatize education, and expand executive power.

Who is affected

  • Black communities and other minority groups
  • Women
  • Hispanic and Asian Americans
  • Educational institutions and students
  • Federal agencies involved in civil rights enforcement
  • Voters, workers, and students protected by anti-discrimination laws

What action is being taken

  • The Legal Defense Fund is producing reports analyzing Project 2025's potential impact on Black communities
  • Human Rights Watch is issuing statements linking DEI rollbacks to global anti-racism efforts
  • Civil rights advocates are warning about the dangers of declining perceptions of discrimination
  • The Heritage Foundation is promoting Project 2025 as a policy blueprint

Why it matters

  • Declining public perception of discrimination contrasts with lived experiences of affected communities
  • Project 2025 could significantly alter civil rights protections in education, voting, and employment
  • The elimination of racial data collection would impact the ability to track and address discrimination
  • Educational policies could shift control from federal to state level, even in states with histories of discrimination
  • The changes represent what LDF President Janai Nelson describes as a crossroads for democracy

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint