CNN has just quietly disbanded its “Race and Equality” team, which has people questioning CNN’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as similar programs are being slashed across the United States.
The End of CNN’s Race and Equality Team
CNN quietly dissolved its “Race and Equality” team, originally formed in the wake of George Floyd’s killing in 2020, as part of a broader restructuring.
Disbanding the Team
As a result of the team being disbanded, one journalist was fired, and two other journalists were reassigned to different departments within the network.
Official Statement
A CNN spokesperson tried telling black journalist Phil Lewis the program would still be in place before finally admitting that the team and program were being disbanded.
Assigned to Different Areas
The spokesperson said, “For all intents and purposes, the team is not a team anymore. They’re assigned to different areas so that [their] perspective and work is brought into all of our types of programming.”
CNN’s Restructuring Strategy
Mark Thompson, CNN’s new CEO, announced that the restructuring would affect about 3% of the workforce and that the concept of a “one newsroom” aims to integrate linear and digital newsgathering.
Spokesperson’s Clarification
The spokesperson continued to say that although the team structure has changed, the focus on race and equality remains integrated across all programming at CNN.
Still There
The spokesperson said, “The investment is still 100 percent there.”
Formation of the Team
Former CNN president Jeff Zucker established the Race and Equality team in response to national outcry over police brutality after the death of George Floyd in 2020.
America’s Racial Reckoning
CNN’s establishment of the “Race and Equality” team was part of a broader DEI initiative within CNN to cover the racial reckoning in America led by the Black Lives Matter movement.
Jeff Zucker’s Memo
Jeff Zucker emphasized the importance of DEI initiatives within the network and announced the formation of the team through a company memo.
Better Coverage
In response to the Black Lives Matter protests and movement, Zucker’s memo said, “There are structural changes and investments we can and will make to better cover what is happening in our society.”
Broader Trends in DEI Programs
While CNN seemed proud of the “Race and Eqaulity” team when it was first established, this new restructuring reflects a broader trend of companies scaling back DEI efforts.
Scaling Back DEI
Companies like Wayfair, Meta, Tesla, and others have made significant cuts to their DEI teams in recent years. An effect that seems to be ramping up in the business world over the last 6 months.
Political Backlash
The backlash against DEI has been fueled by political figures such as Ron DeSantis, who have criticized DEI as discriminatory programs set against white Americans and signed bills to eliminate such initiatives in universities.
The Role and Purpose of DEI
DEI stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and is meant to focus on supporting historically marginalized communities in the workplace in order to provide fair opportunities and create an inclusive culture.
Expert Insight
Daniel Oppong, founder of The Courage Collective, explained that the DEI initiative is “an attempt to try to create workplaces where more or all people can thrive.”
Historical Roots and Development of DEI
DEI efforts can be traced back to the Civil Rights Movement and the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed employment discrimination and created the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to enforce these rights.
Evolution Over Decades
Over the decades, DEI initiatives have evolved, with the largest growth significant seen after the murder of George Floyd in 2020, which supposedly reignited corporate commitment to these principles.
Critics’ Viewpoints
Christopher Rufo from the Manhattan Institute wrote, “These are not neutral programs to increase demographic diversity; they are political programs that use taxpayer resources to advance a specific partisan orthodoxy.”
Future of DEI
Despite the backlash, many organizations and leaders continue to support DEI initiatives because they believe the programs foster inclusive environments and help address historical inequalities.
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