Defining "American:" Race, Immigration, and Identity Over Time   

Efforts to restrict or eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs are often framed as responses to discrimination against white Americans. Today, 39% of white adults believe DEI programs increase discrimination against white people, reflecting a debate with deep historical roots. This presentation traces the evolution of white grievance from colonial concerns about racial identity to contemporary discussions of demographic and cultural change.

Through historical evidence, participants will explore how fears about preserving whiteness have influenced immigration policy, political rhetoric, and American identity. By connecting centuries of often overlooked history, this session offers a broader perspective on how concepts of race and power have shaped the nation's past and continue to influence its present.