Title: Five Policy Shifts during Trump's Presidency Impacting Black Women
Black women have long been at the forefront of societal changes in the United States. During Donald Trump's presidency, various policies were implemented that had significant impacts on this demographic, especially if he were to be re-elected. Here are five ways these policies might affect Black women:
Alterations in Reproductive Health and Rights
One of the most contentious policy areas under Trump was reproductive health. The reinstatement of the "global gag rule" halted funding for organizations involved in providing or even discussing abortion services. This significantly impacted Black women, who already face higher rates of maternal mortality, further limiting their access to lifesaving care. The fallout from state-level abortion bans was stark.
Shifts in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
On his first day back in office, Trump proposed to undo progress made in creating diverse workplaces by terminating federal DEI programs and reversing protections for transgender individuals. The immediate aftermath saw an executive order rescinding years of affirmative action practices in the federal government and placement of DEI workers on leave. Black women, who often experience multiple systemic barriers in the workplace, might encounter challenges in achieving equity at work due to these rollbacks, leaving them vulnerable to discrimination with few institutional mechanisms for redress.
Revisions in Tariff Policies
Entrepreneurship has presented a viable path to financial independence for Black women. In a 2024 survey by Goldman Sachs, 61% of Black women perceived entrepreneurship as a necessary means to wealth creation, a perspective shared by only 42% of the general U.S. adult population. Tariff policies, particularly those impacting imported goods, could negatively affect industries with prominent Black women representation, such as beauty, retail, and healthcare. Limited access to capital, a long-standing challenge for Black women entrepreneurs, might destabilize their businesses.
Changes in Healthcare Access and Chronic Health Disparities
Trump's administration's attempts to curtail the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicaid funding had severe ramifications for Black women, who disproportionately suffer from chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and fibroids. Without ACA protections, including coverage for pre-existing conditions and expanded Medicaid eligibility, many Black women faced the possibility of losing critical healthcare access. In underserved communities, these policies served as additional hurdles on the path to health equity.
Civil Rights Constraints
The weakening of the Department of Justice's civil rights oversight under Trump raised concerns among advocacy groups. This led to concerns about anti-discrimination law enforcement in housing, education, and employment, with disproportionate impacts on Black women, who frequently encounter intersecting forms of bias. This regression of protections could worsen systemic challenges for Black women, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and discrimination, an issue that may be exacerbated by the fact that Black women are less likely to be believed when reporting discrimination.
It is essential to note that while Trump's policies had negative impacts on Black women, these issues persisted long before his presidency and will likely continue to be present even after his tenure. However, these policies did highlight the need for more inclusive and equitable solutions that consider the unique challenges faced by Black women.
Black women in the realm of entrepreneurship could potentially face challenges due to revised tariff policies, as they heavily rely on industries like beauty, retail, and healthcare, which might be negatively impacted by changes in import taxes. Furthermore, the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives during Trump's presidency might make it more difficult for black women to achieve equity at work, leaving them vulnerable to discrimination without sufficient institutional support.
