In recent years, the Republican Party has increasingly been at the center of debates regarding civil rights, voting rights, and racial equality in the United States. While the party historically played a crucial role in the abolition of slavery and the passage of civil rights legislation, its modern trajectory has seen policies and legislative actions that many argue have significantly hindered progress in equal rights.

In various Republican-led states, legislation has been introduced or passed that limits discussions on systemic racism, diversity, and inclusion in schools and workplaces. Laws banning critical race theory (CRT)—a graduate-level academic framework analyzing the impact of racism in legal and social structures—have been misrepresented and used as a pretext to stifle discussions about historical and contemporary racial issues. This has led to the censorship of educational materials and curricula that acknowledge the realities of slavery, segregation, and racial discrimination, thereby undermining efforts to promote racial justice and equality.

The celebration of Black History Month has also faced challenges under the influence of Republican-led policies. Some Republican politicians and media figures have dismissed the need for Black History Month, arguing that it promotes division rather than unity. In several states, new educational policies have led to the removal or dilution of Black history topics from school curriculums. Florida, under Governor Ron DeSantis, has been a prime example, with the state’s Board of Education implementing controversial changes to how slavery and Black history are taught. These actions undermine the recognition of Black contributions to American history and create an environment where historical truths are ignored or distorted.