In the wake of the President Donald Trump’s second term, many people — specifically minority groups — have expressed concerns about their safety and rights after the President promised to end initiatives that protect vulnerable groups from discrimination. Hours after being sworn in, Trump signed numerous executive orders effectively dismantling programs that seek to provide protection for historically disenfranchised communities.
The Trump Administration slashed the Department of Education in half, cut funding to several institutions and research projects nationwide, and decreased federal funding allocated to Medicare and other social services. Already-vulnerable communities wait in limbo for what services and resources will be taken next. While several orders were struck down by federal judges nationwide, many remain fearful as Trump and his allies continue to attack vulnerable populations across the country.
‘Colleges in the MAGA Crosshairs’ attempts to highlight the stories of those most affected by the Trump administration and its policies. While many features often share the effects of these changes on the national and state level, these pieces detail the stories, lives and experiences of those who attend Las Positas College and live locally.
While there are so many stories that will go unheard, these pieces highlight the complexity of the college experience during a time like this by showing that these students and professors are more than just statistics and political talking points. Acknowledging the complexity of the experience of marginalized people is of the utmost importance in a time like this where many are dehumanized.
This project and its features serve as a reminder that there are real people, real lives and real stories at the forefront of this historical time in our country.
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TOP PHOTO: The policies enacted by the Trump Administration have far-reaching consequences. The marginalized communities at LPC are bracing for the impact. (Photo illustration by The Express Staff)
Raina Dent is a Staff Writer for The Express. Follow her on X, formally Twitter, @_rainasafiya
