Journal of a Black Teacher

It is not a call for censorship or moral policing. It is a hypocritical argument. By Don Allen, (Journal Of A Black Teacher) 2025 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs have been in the crosshairs over the past two years, excised from corporate boardrooms, government agencies, and academia with surgical precision. What was once a drive toward greater representation and fairness in hiring has been recharacterized as an overreach, a misguided attempt at social engineering. Executives and politicians have publicly bragged that hiring must be done on the basis of "merit," as though the existence of DEI was a handout and not a response to two centuries of exclusion. These programs were too radical, too risky, and too threatening to the natural order of work. Yet in this newest crusade against equity, fairness, and human capital workgroup cultures, one industry has been conspicuously untouched: pornography. It’s fascinating, really. The very voices that shouted that DEI wa...

For context, read -  NFL to remove ‘End Racism’ messaging in end zone ahead of Super Bowl By Don Allen, Journal of A Black Teacher (2025) Ah, the Super Bowl: America's most hallowed secular holiday, when corporate titans, celebrities, and the common fan all coalesce in blue-lit awe of multi-million-dollar ad spectacles, halftime spectaculars, and yeah-football. This year, though, the league pulled its own trick play-off, with very little fanfare, taking its once-prominent "End Racism" messaging from the end zones. Why? Well, because in what feels like 2025, it would appear acknowledging racism is too "divisive." That is like replacing signs saying "Stop Smoking" with "Breathe Freely." Yeah, it may sound nice, but the thing is, it does absolutely nothing to change your addiction. For those keeping score at home, this is the same league that has spent the last few years wrapping itself in the language of diversity, equity, and inclusion like a ...

When “...being judged by the content of character” (Dr. King’s Dream) manifests itself in real-time due to the elimination of policy-forced culture in human capital workgroups, some seek to protest self-actualization, a trained response from the manifestation and evolution from the residual leftovers of the Jim Crow Era. By Don Allen, Journal of A Black Teacher (2025)      In an era where diversity, equity, and inclusion are frequently challenged, the backlash against Target Corporation's recent retreat from its DEI initiatives reveals a deeper issue: the superficiality of corporate diversity efforts and how Black America continues to be misled by the optics of DEI instead of genuine equity. In 2025, Martin Luther King, Jr., and his dream were fulfilled. As social media sparks a boycott against Target for scaling back these initiatives, it's crucial to pause and confront a more significant question: what does authentic DEI look like, and who bears the responsibility for i...

If you’re convinced by CNN that President Donald Trump is the bogeyman, think again: DEI has always been our bogeyman. By Don Allen, Journal of A Black Teacher (2025) Nuance leaders, not afraid of looking in the blind spots from the beginning, knew that DEI efforts were nothing but folly. Today, in light of President Donald Trump’s executive order against diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, major companies and organizations have killed their DEI rollouts. In recent years, the buzzwords “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)” have been plastered across mission statements, websites, and glossy brochures throughout Minnesota. In the wake of Black men and women being murdered by law enforcement, institutions scrambled to position themselves on the “right side of history,” pledging their unwavering commitment to dismantling systemic racism and fostering inclusion. Yet, as the dust settles, and you look only at the data, it’s becoming increasingly evident that for many organizations...

By Don Allen, Ed. S., M.A. Ed., MAT (Editorial Opinion via AllenEd) Minnesota's persistent efforts to increase the number of Black male teachers have commendable intentions. However, the limited success of these initiatives suggests a fundamental flaw: the overemphasis on creating new Black male teachers without addressing the broader systemic barriers that hinder their success and retention. To effect meaningful change, we need a comprehensive, research-driven approach that reimagines the entire educational ecosystem. The Problem with Singular Focus The strategy of simply recruiting more Black male teachers overlooks the complex challenges they face within the educational system. These teachers often find themselves in environments that are not conducive to their professional growth or personal well-being. This can include: - Cultural Isolation: Black male teachers frequently work in schools where they are one of the few, if not the only, Black staff members. This isolation can l...