#TalkRadio – February 4: #WeWillToo: Practicing Black History; Advancing DEI; and, 100% Justice for Ahmaud Arbery Update

SPEAKERS:

Dr. Karsonya (Kaye) Wise Whitehead: 12:00 PM – 12:57 PM ET
New Head of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH); immediate past president of the National Women’s Studies Association (NWSA); Executive Director, Karson Institute for Race, Peace, and Social Justice; Professor, Communication for “African and African American Studies”, Loyola University Maryland; Host, Today With Dr. Kaye on WEAA 88.9 FM; twitter: @kayewhitehead @karsoninstitute

Caitlyn Arnwine: 12:00 PM – 12:57 PM ET
Author and Creator of theTransformative Justice Coalition’s #VRABlackHistory Series; Professional poker player, Team 100k Pro, and organizer for women in poker; Current Consultant and former Social Media Director and Executive Assistant for the Transformative Justice Coalition; Current Speaker and former Coordinator of Public Education for the National Coalition for the Homeless; Twitter/X: @TheCaitlynBot; BlueSky: @queenfive.bsky.social

INTRODUCTION:

Hi Igniters For Change! The Igniting Change Radio Show on Tuesday, February 4th, 2025, from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Eastern Time, entitled “#WeWillToo: Practicing Black History; Advancing DEI; and, 100% Justice for Ahmaud Arbery Update”,  will be live from Brunswick with Radio Show Co-Hosts and Transformative Justice Coalition (TJC) Co-Leaders Attorneys Barbara Arnwine, Esq. and Daryl Jones, Esq. and feature Dr. Karsonya (Kaye) Wise Whitehead, Caitlyn Arnwine, and other special guests. This show will discuss the Trump Administration’s attack on DEI and why it is so important for people to practice Black History Month, as well as updates on the Jackie Johnson trial.

Sadly, the Transformative Justice Coalition has been tracking the airplane and helicopter collision disaster at DCA airport. Circumstances permitting we may have a last minute special guest briefly join the show to discuss critical steps needed to ensure our national air safety.

TJC has been on the ground in Brunswick, Georgia for the majority of the past two weeks, continuing to ensure 100% justice for the murder of Ahmaud Arbery. Jackie Johnson, the former Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney, is standing trial for allegedly obstructing the investigation into Ahmaud Arbery’s killing. Johnson faces charges of violating her oath of office and hindering law enforcement officers. The trial comes more than four years after Arbery’s death, which sparked nationwide protests over racial injustice. Johnson is accused of interfering with the investigation to protect Gregory McMichael, a former investigator in her office, and his son, Travis McMichael, who were involved in Arbery’s death.

As of February 3rd, 2025, Former Georgia prosecutor Jackie Johnson was acquitted of one misconduct charge related to the Ahmaud Arbery case due to lack of evidence presented by prosecutors. Johnson still faces a felony charge of violating her oath of office in connection to the handling of the Arbery case. Prosecutors have accused Johnson of working behind the scenes to protect Travis McMichael and his father, despite her office being recused from the case, but a directed verdict was granted on the misdemeanor obstruction charge. Read more: https://www.yahoo.com/news/judge-orders-acquittal-ex-prosecutor-214636163.html

The Transformative Justice Coalition and the Voting Rights Alliance, in honor of Black History Month, are continuing the annual tradition of our daily special series devoted to sharing the legacies and stories of the sheroes, heroes, and events in the fight for Black suffrage. This series was created in 2017 and will introduce many new articles this year. In addition to these daily newsletters all February long, this series also incorporates daily social media posts; an interactive calendar; and, website blog posts to spread the word broadly. This year, the Transformative Justice Coalition and Voting Rights Alliance’s #VRABlackHistory Series will take readers through the most difficult fights for our African-American voting rights- and how we won.

The 2025 #VRABlackHistory Series #WeWillToo Edition will connect our history to modern times to show just how our ancestors beat the odds. Every day, this series will detail in chronological order the fights for Black suffrage, and will feature articles on the Fugitive Slave Laws and the parallels to the present day mass deportation raids conducted by ICE; the fight for same day voter registration; how our ancestors worked with hostile presidencies and courts to achieve rights; how Juneteenth has been used to mobilize voters; the amazing achievements of the Reconstruction Era; why birthright citizenship began and how the 14th Amendment has been interpreted throughout history; how DEI initiatives started in the 1860’s; the 15th Amendment; how we achieved the first anti-lynching laws in Georgia and how lynching was used to suppress the vote; how we moved past the Jim Crow Era; how Black youth mobilized to lower the voting age to 18; how the Tuskegee Airmen went on to fight for voting rights after their service; how boycotts were used to fight for voting rights; the “Souls To The Polls” voting initiatives of the Black churches in the 1950’s- 1990’s; how Black people fought for voting rights for disabled people; how Black people fought for equal access to the ballot for the LGBTQIA community; how the Brunswick, Georgia community banded together after the murder of Ahmaud Arbery in 2020 to vote out their District Attorney; the history of voting rights for Black women and how Black women continue to vote and lead voter efforts at amazing rates; how we have historically used the Black press to fight for our right to vote; and, more.

As author Caitlyn Arnwine writes, “Our ancestors faced much greater opposition than we do today, even as we face a new hostile federal Administration- and they persevered. The sentiment felt by some African-Americans post-election is to sit back, sit out, and a general feeling of frustration and hopelessness. This Series targets those feelings: we can win! This Edition of the Series is also a tribute to all of those fighting back, especially against efforts to ban DEI and our history. “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it” – so let us learn from our history, our beautiful, strong, resilient, Black History.”

The show will also cover Trump’s ongoing attacks on DEI. As anticipated, President Trump in the first weeks of his Administration has launched a vicious and hateful attack on our civil rights and voting rights, reproductive freedom and other constitutional rights through blatantly unconstitutional and abusive Executive Orders and agency actions. His numerous wrongful anti-DEIA measures, hiring freezes, bans on teaching Black History, Ethnic Studies, Women Studies and attempted purges are undermining our federal government’s necessary ability to teach truth and represent the totality of America.

All of these actions and so many more parallel the agenda of Project 2025. TJC is launching a #NoDEI-NoBuy Campaign to address the cowardly companies engaging in “anticipatory obedience ” who have dropped, suspended or curtailed their private DEI programs.

WE refuse to be silent nor acquiescent! Already, we have stopped the unconstitutional Executive Order seeking to ban birthright citizenship and the widely unpopular and dangerous freeze on federal funding and grants. Our thanks to the State Attorney Generals, organizations, lawyers and plaintiffs who have stepped up in this moment to Fight Forward for Justice. We are prepared to fight and win more victories in the Courts. Governors, mayors, school leaders, religious leaders and more have organized to protect the innocent who are undocumented in our nation. When the Trump Administration’s overreach resulted in the Air Force banning the showing of the Tuskegee Airman Black History video, WE all raised our voices in strong protest and they reversed course!!  https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/national-outcry-leads-to-restoration-of-tuskegee-airmen-legacy-in-military-training-which-was-cut-over-trump-s-dei-policy-video/ar-AA1xXSbw?ocid=BingNewsSerp

President Donald Trump’s administration issued a proclamation on Friday, Jan. 31, recognizing Black History Month and simultaneously announced the end of cultural observances at the Defense Department.” (Trump Issues Black History Month Proclamation While Administration Goes after DEI | Kgw.Com, 2025) “The conflicting messages came as President Donald Trump has been targeting diversity, equity and inclusion programs for removal in the first weeks of his administration. He has referred to DEI initiatives as ‘discrimination’ and insisted that the country must instead move toward a merit-based society. A news release from the Defense Department titled ‘Identity Months Dead at DOD’ says official resources, including working hours, will no longer be used to mark cultural awareness months. Black History Month, Women’s History Month and National Disability Employment Awareness Month were among the events listed as now barred.”

“In his first two weeks in office, Trump has moved to end affirmative action in federal contracting and directed that all federal DEI workers be put on paid leave before eventually being laid off. On Thursday, hours after a midair collision between a military helicopter and an American Airlines plane killed 67 people just miles from the White House, Trump baselessly blamed diversity initiatives for undermining air safety, despite no evidence of that.

“Gerald Ford in 1976 became the first president to issue a message recognizing February as Black History Month. Since then, presidents have made annual proclamations marking the month as a celebration of Black history, culture and education.

“Trump’s proclamation Friday specifically noted the contributions of abolitionists Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman, conservative economist Thomas Sowell and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. It said their achievements ‘have monumentally advanced the tradition of equality under the law in our great country’ and are a continued inspiration.

“The declaration also listed golfer Tiger Woods as an American great, saying he was among those who have ‘pushed the boundaries of excellence in their respective fields, paving the way for others to follow.'” (Trump White House Marks Black History Month While Defense Department Declares “Identity Months Dead,” 2025, AP)

“The presidential proclamations from Trump and his predecessor, Joe Biden, reveal stark differences in approach. Biden’s 2024 proclamation extensively discussed systemic racism, policy initiatives targeting racial inequities, and specific achievements like record-low Black unemployment. He emphasized that ‘Black history is American history’ while acknowledging the country’s ongoing struggle with ‘the moral stain and vestiges of slavery.’

In contrast, Trump’s shorter 2025 proclamation focused on individual achievements, highlighting figures like Clarence Thomas and Tiger Woods. While following the traditional format established when President Gerald Ford first recognized Black History Month in 1976, Trump’s proclamation avoided discussing systemic issues or specific policies, instead speaking broadly about entering ‘a historic Golden Age.’ Trump also did not capitalize Black Americans, instead choosing to only capitalize Americans.

Both proclamations concluded with similar formal language calling for Americans to ‘observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.’ However, the Defense Department’s new guidance effectively bars such observances within the military, marking a significant departure from previous practices.” (Trump Issues Black History Month Proclamation While Administration Goes after DEI | Kgw.Com, 2025)

To see a more exhaustive, but still incomplete list of President Trump’s Day One actions, see here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-DtS8tbIdRH_zKZZ24mSiNoVwukd7UkD/view?usp=sharing

For more news concerning DEI and immigration, see the links below: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/drjacquelineking_i-will-always-stand-up-for-justice-and-equality-ugcPost-7289335047470428161-ym6Y

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jenniferswayne_mondays-inauguration-makes-it-clear-we-activity-7288556194992979969-B3tG

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nancy-levine-stearns-a753782_dei-activity-7285290582636204033-qMqv

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/vu-le-b395a69_nonprofit-and-philanthropy-and-our-white-activity-7284856575037526016-_r4V

https://www.newsbreak.com/share/3779639849776-what-about-white-undocumented-immigrants-critics-claim-ice-raids-are-racist

This show will be one of many in which we will highlight TJC’s affirmative agenda for 2025 and 2026.

QUESTIONS:

[The show will begin by encouraging people to: go to VotingRightsAlliance.org/2025Pledge to sign onto our 2025 Voting Rights Pledge]

• Caitlyn, quickly tell people about TJC’s 2025 daily #VRABlackHistory Series.
• Dr. Whitehead, as one of the leading experts of the nation on African American History, Women’s Studies, and DEI, thank you for joining us today. This year, Black History is in the national spotlight because of the bizarre, contradictory, and absolutely wrong-headed position of the new Trump Administration.
• First of all, tell us about the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH).
• How is ASALH responding to the mass confusion and diminution of Black History Month resulting from the Trump Administration’s attacks on DEI and contradictory policy announcements?
• Caitlyn, you notice that I’m not talking about celebrating Black History Month; but, about Practicing Black History Month. What does that mean to each of you?
• By the way everyone, we are in the midst of practicing and making Black History right here in Brunswick, Georgia. We have, of course, been very disappointed in the ruling yesterday dismissing one count 2 of the charges against Jackie Johnson, the former Glynn County DA. Daryl, please tell everyone what happened.
• Marcus, our fight for 100% justice for your youngest son isn’t over! What do you want everybody to know and what can everyone do?
• Dr. Whitehead, can you explain what DEI is and why it’s so necessary?
• Dr. Whitehead, what are the major actions people should be taking right now to respond to the Trump Administration’s attacks on DEI?
• Dr. Whitehead, you are the former head of the National Women’s Studies Association (NWSA).  How has the Trump Administration’s Executive Orders attacking DEI affected Women’s Studies?
• Has these attacks on DEI and Women’s Studies awakened White Women, one of the major hidden beneficiaries of DEI? [Interestingly, they have been attacked by the Administration and are being fired and likewise frozen out of the workplace. Generally, this is not seen by the public.]
• Evilly, there have been a number of leading American corporations that have taken their lead from the federal government and have rushed to dismantle their DEI programs. Dianne, how should we respond to their abandonment of DEI policies?
• What do you think about TJC’s “No DEI, No Buy!” proposed campaign?
• Dr. Whitehead, What else can we do and what are some of your favorite actions that ASALH are taking?
• Evilly and wrongly, DEI has been blamed as the culprit for the American Airlines crash in DC, claiming that there’s a shortage of air traffic controllers because “no one will hire men”. People have also glossed over the fact that the third person in the helicopter was a woman, because her family didn’t want it mentioned for fear of attacks. At a time when division is the instrument of choice by this Administration, how do we create greater unity, promote greater truth, and best fight back while advancing the changes needed in our society?
• Prof. Crunk was recently saying that people need to point out that anti-DEI is actually re-segregation. What’s your response to her recommendation that people really call anti-DEI attacks “resegregation” to put them on the offensive to have to explain why they want division?
• What are your one-minute final thoughts to our listeners?
• Thank you for all of your hard work. How do our listeners get in contact with you?

[TJC will continue to vigorously defend the rights of all Americans and will fight the implementation of Project 2025 and our future shows will continue to cover any hate crimes and how we effectively protect ourselves while advancing our agenda for justice.]

[Daryl and Barbara may share their favorite books and encourage people to donate towards TJC’s giveaways of banned and affirming books.]