1) These erasures have nothing to do with concerns over DEI. Are they suggesting that Freddy Gonzalez took a rocket shell to the chest because he was a "diversity hire?" Or that the skill and valor of the Tuskegee Airmen was less than that of their Anglo fellow warriors?
No, this is simply a racist re-telling of history to meet the Orwellian command of an authoritarian dictator who wishes to re-invent American history to gain and hold power.
2) The greatest irony, if you can call it that, is that the decision to retcon Freddy Gonzalez et al. was made by a man whose personal cowardice and lack of honor is legendary.
Just in case, let's review DEI (thanks to Alex Mann):
DEl is nothing more than an organizational framework that says
organizations (from business to politics) should try to be:
* Diverse: Include women, people of color, disabled persons, disabled persons,LGBTQ persons, and other minority groups.
* Equitable: People, regardless of race (including white men) should be treated with complete fairness regardless of their race, gender, and so on.
* Inclusive: People should feel welcome or at the very least, not feel excluded on the basis of their gender, race, disability, and so on.
* Accessible: Workplaces should be accessible for disabled people so that no unfair burden is placed on them
That's it- that is ALL OF IT. It is a concept that businesses or government agencies should seek out a diverse workforce, treat people fairly, make sure everyone feels welcome, and make sure that said place is accessible for disabled people.
DEI is not a law, a mandate, there are no hiring quotas nor change in hiring standards. There are no tax benefits assigned to DEI.
I personally believe that DEI is a distraction that allows those in power to transfer government wealth to their pockets, as well as increase and sustain their control in doing so.
As to U.S. Marine Sergeant Freddy Gonzales, please don't allow my deep and irrevocable shame of our current overseers to stain your legacy. You are the true inspiration of sacrifice and leadership that makes this country great.
Yeah, it's quite sad that a country they fought and died for, and didn't even give them their equal rights, is now accepting their erasure from history.
Two thoughts:
1) These erasures have nothing to do with concerns over DEI. Are they suggesting that Freddy Gonzalez took a rocket shell to the chest because he was a "diversity hire?" Or that the skill and valor of the Tuskegee Airmen was less than that of their Anglo fellow warriors?
No, this is simply a racist re-telling of history to meet the Orwellian command of an authoritarian dictator who wishes to re-invent American history to gain and hold power.
2) The greatest irony, if you can call it that, is that the decision to retcon Freddy Gonzalez et al. was made by a man whose personal cowardice and lack of honor is legendary.
Yeah, two important points that need to be hammered on until people get it, if they ever will.
Looks like Trump is trying to erase slavery from our nation's history:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2025/04/06/national-park-service-underground-railroad-history-slavery/?utm_campaign=wp_post_most&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F41f8040%2F67f2a2f28670807363c8476b%2F648f1639103dd83be8786804%2F14%2F51%2F67f2a2f28670807363c8476b
Hadn't seen this. Thanks for the heads up, Mick.
Just in case, let's review DEI (thanks to Alex Mann):
DEl is nothing more than an organizational framework that says
organizations (from business to politics) should try to be:
* Diverse: Include women, people of color, disabled persons, disabled persons,LGBTQ persons, and other minority groups.
* Equitable: People, regardless of race (including white men) should be treated with complete fairness regardless of their race, gender, and so on.
* Inclusive: People should feel welcome or at the very least, not feel excluded on the basis of their gender, race, disability, and so on.
* Accessible: Workplaces should be accessible for disabled people so that no unfair burden is placed on them
That's it- that is ALL OF IT. It is a concept that businesses or government agencies should seek out a diverse workforce, treat people fairly, make sure everyone feels welcome, and make sure that said place is accessible for disabled people.
DEI is not a law, a mandate, there are no hiring quotas nor change in hiring standards. There are no tax benefits assigned to DEI.
I personally believe that DEI is a distraction that allows those in power to transfer government wealth to their pockets, as well as increase and sustain their control in doing so.
As to U.S. Marine Sergeant Freddy Gonzales, please don't allow my deep and irrevocable shame of our current overseers to stain your legacy. You are the true inspiration of sacrifice and leadership that makes this country great.
We may just have to make our own monuments for these American heroes.
Yeah, it's quite sad that a country they fought and died for, and didn't even give them their equal rights, is now accepting their erasure from history.
Great essay, Jim. Thanks
Thanks, Deece.
Fascinating! Thanks
Very insightful and amazing story. Great work on this article!
They've done some backtracking but many people are still missing from DOD "history" pages:
https://www.npr.org/2025/03/20/nx-s1-5334461/pentagon-black-veterans-navajo-code-talkers-website-diversity
This is some straight up Orwellian BS.
Orwell would be shamed by most of it, John.
Rah! Semper Fi, Marine.