The U.S. Air Force will resume teaching a video about the Tuskegee Airmen, the first Black airmen in the U.S. military, after ensuring it complies with President Trump’s ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has prioritized eliminating DEI programs from the military. The video about the Tuskegee Airmen and Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASPs) was previously not being taught at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland but will now be included in training. The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of 450 pilots who fought in segregated units during World War Two, paving the way for desegregation of the armed forces in 1948. DEI programs aim to promote opportunities for women, ethnic minorities, and other underrepresented groups, addressing structural racism and inequities. Advocates argue these programs are necessary, but conservatives oppose them, claiming they are discriminatory and do not prioritize merit. The inclusion of these videos in training represents a shift in the Air Force’s approach to DEI initiatives in compliance with Trump’s ban.
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