Rep. Jasmine Crockett Challenges GOP Claims of 'White Oppression' During Heated DEI Act Debate

The Texas Democrat criticized Republican lawmakers for misusing the term 'oppression' while defending diversity and inclusion programs targeted by the proposed legislation.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) sharply criticized GOP lawmakers during a House Oversight Committee hearing on the Dismantle DEI Act, which seeks to eliminate federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Crockett argued that white men in the United States have not experienced systemic oppression, contrasting their historical experiences with the forced enslavement of African Americans.
She highlighted disparities in representation, noting that while white men make up 30% of the U.S. population, they hold over 60% of elected offices, compared to her status as only the 55th Black woman elected to Congress.
Crockett accused Republicans of wanting to erase Black history from schools, claiming this would allow them to manipulate the narrative around racial oppression and equity initiatives.
The proposed Dismantle DEI Act would terminate federal DEI offices and prohibit funding for related programs, a move Crockett argued undermines efforts to address systemic racism and foster workplace diversity.