Opinion: Fighting for Diversity in the Face of New Challenges

In a deeply unsettling move, President Trump issued on his first day back in office an executive order to dismantle all offices and initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within 60 days. This order – which will likely be challenged in court – affects Chief Diversity Officer positions, equity-related plans, grants, and contracts within the Department of Health and Human Services, including the National Institutes of Health. As a doctoral student and NIH-funded scholar, this directive threatens the core of my academic journey and the values underpinning it.

Last year, I penned an op-ed highlighting the potential threat anti-DEI initiatives pose. This order makes those threats a stark reality. If this executive order is ultimately implemented, I may lose the funding supporting my Ph.D. education, jeopardizing my research and the culmination of years of dedication and sacrifice. The excitement I felt when awarded a fully funded NIH fellowship has now turned into anger, uncertainty, and deep disappointment as I watch my hard-earned place at the table being taken away from me. Yet, what disturbs me the most is that I seem to have no say or control over what will happen to me.

As an immigrant with Nigerian Igbo roots, Italian nationality, and extensive British life experiences, I take pride in my diverse background. This multifaceted identity has profoundly shaped my perspective as a researcher, enabling me to approach my work with unique insights that challenge simplistic and herding narratives. Through my NIH fellowship, I have been fortunate to conduct research aimed at culturally strengthening traditional mental health and addiction therapy models to enhance their effectiveness in underserved and underrepresented populations. This research has the power to transform lives and gives me a sense of purpose to continue my efforts. The latest orders, however, seek to delegitimize such efforts by labeling them as “wasteful.” The question lingers in my mind: Does this mean my work, identity, and contributions are wasteful? To this, I respond with a resounding “No!”

The dismantling of DEI programs is not just an affront to scientists like me – it’s an unconstitutional affront to the broader mission of academia and the pursuit of socially equitable learning. In response to top-down efforts to create a “color-blind” society, Maurice Asare, a social impact strategist, eloquently noted that racial colorblindness “constructs a society that denies negative racial experiences, undermines cultural heritage, and invalidates unique perspectives.” This order seeks to impose that very colorblindness, outlawing diversity and arresting researchers deemed guilty of promoting it.

In the face of such adversity, resilience is our most potent weapon. I will continue to champion the principles of equity and inclusion undauntedly, not just for myself but for the scholars who are affected now and will continue to be impacted. This is not a selfish preservation of funding or academic opportunities, nor is it rhetoric – it’s about ensuring that the voices of those who fall under the category of “other” are never silenced again.

This is a call to action. We must be encouraged, resist, and advocate for the reinstatement of DEI programs. Congress, as the governing body of the NIH, must intervene and turn away this unconstitutional order, which will only deepen already widening divisions in our society. Simple pushback to delay what feels like an inevitable reality will not be enough – active steps must be taken to stop this order in its tracks.

As I look ahead, I remain steadfast in my belief that diversity is not a liability but an asset. My seat at the table is not wasteful; it is essential, and I refuse to relinquish it. It represents progress, hope, and the unyielding belief that every voice deserves to be heard. And as long as I live, I will fight to ensure it is.

Obi Onyegesi is a UT Austin Ph.D. student, clinical therapist, NIH scholar, and advocate for equitable research, exploring health disparities among marginalized communities.