The iconic 1978 film Superman showcased a hero who accomplished the seemingly impossible, such as reversing time by flying around the Earth at incredible speeds. In a different realm, Donald Trump has a penchant for revisiting the past, seemingly longing for what he considers the “good old days” of his youth in America.
Born in 1946, just eight years after the debut of Superman in comic books, Trump’s childhood coincided with a time when social injustices regarding race, gender, and other differences were not just common, but legally supported. Educational institutions often presented a distorted version of American history that overlooked the contributions of minorities. Movies, too, reflected these biases, barely showing people of color in roles beyond subservience or criminality.
Thus, when Trump reminisces about his “good old days”—a time that favored wealthy white men—it is essential to recognize that this period was, for many others, a time of immense struggle. In fact, the hurdles faced by people of color, women, and the LGBTQ+ community back then were significantly higher compared to today.
During Trump’s upbringing, white individuals dominated most jobs and held a majority of political positions—only about 34% of the workforce was made up of women in 1950, compared to 57% now.
Major civil rights legislation didn’t come into play until Trump was in his late teens and early twenties. These measures—including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965—sought to eliminate discrimination based on race, gender, and other factors across various domains like education, public facilities, and housing.
America has certainly made notable progress in striving for fairness; however, Trump’s administration has faced criticism for undermining this progress and, in some ways, exacerbating the struggles of many Americans.
His policies seem fixated on dismantling programs designed to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion, as he claims these initiatives discriminate against white people and men. Yet, in truth, these efforts aim to broaden opportunities and tap into the full spectrum of American talent.
The Department of Education under Trump is investigating over 50 universities for their DEI programs, which have faced significant funding cuts linked to federal support. The goal seems to be to press institutions to abandon these efforts in exchange for aid.
Furthermore, Trump has halted federal DEI initiatives and has also called for similar actions in the private sector. A Republican-controlled Federal Communications Commission has compelled companies involved in significant mergers to avoid DEI efforts to gain approval.
It appears Trump believes that white Americans, particularly white men, achieve employment based solely on merit, while suggesting that people of color and women are underqualified, often in jobs and schools primarily due to DEI policies. This view has led to the removal of qualified federal staff and military personnel who do not fit this demographic. For instance, he dismissed Air Force General CQ Brown, a Black man, under the premise that he prioritized DEI over military effectiveness.
Both the first female leaders of the Coast Guard and the Navy, along with senior military officials, have found themselves out of their positions in recent times.
In a related turn of events, Trump has seen the resignation of Kim Sajet, director of the National Portrait Gallery, despite her strong advocacy for DEI initiatives, alongside the firing of Carla Hayden, the first woman and the first Black leader of the Library of Congress.
The current administration, with its Republican majority, seems intent on reversing many advances made in American society. Initiatives, such as the mass deportation of unauthorized immigrants, echo practices from decades past.
The government is also moving to roll back environmental protections that have been in place since the 1970s, aiming to bolster fossil fuel production and dismantle support for renewable energy initiatives established during the previous administration. Trump has even labeled global warming a ruse that undermines American manufacturing.
Moreover, the White House is eliminating previously allocated funding for public broadcasting, which has been crucial for institutions like PBS and NPR since the late 1960s.
Nostalgia undoubtedly plays a significant role in Trump’s outlook, perhaps rooted in his affluent upbringing in a predominantly white male society. Still, it’s vital that such sentimentality doesn’t dictate public policy.
Moving forward, the focus should remain on a future that embraces inclusivity rather than attempting to recreate a bygone era.
Christopher Reeve’s depiction of Superman traveling back in time was pure fantasy, an escape designed for entertainment. What is truly needed now is a leader who acknowledges reality and actively works toward an inclusive and equitable future for all.
