Up First from NPR: May 27, 2025

NPR's "Up First" delivers the top three stories to start your day. In this episode, the focus is on the controversial new Gaza aid group, Harvard University's stand against the Trump administration, and the significant rollback of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in corporate America.

1. New Gaza Aid Group Faces Criticism

Humanitarian Efforts Amidst Controversy

Humanitarian aid is making its way back into Gaza after Israel lifted a nearly three-month-long aid ban last week. The central figure in this renewed effort is the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a U.S.-backed organization aimed at alleviating widespread hunger and malnutrition in the region. Despite the urgent need, the foundation is under intense scrutiny and facing growing criticism from the United Nations, which is managing its own separate aid operations in Gaza.

Key Developments:

• Resignation Over Ethical Concerns: The foundation's director resigned, stating, “The plan cannot follow principles of humanity and neutrality and there really is not a lot of transparency about this group” (03:17).
• Restricted Distribution Zones: Unlike the UN's extensive distribution network, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is limiting aid distribution to four specific zones, monitored by Israeli soldiers and private contractors. This approach has led major aid organizations and the UN to refuse cooperation.
• Allegations of Hidden Agendas: Israel's opposition leader has alleged that the Israeli government is secretly funding the aid group, raising further doubts about its intentions and transparency.

Strategic Implications: The foundation's strategy is perceived as a tactic to separate civilians from Hamas, aiming to starve the militant group while controlling the movement and aid distribution to the Palestinian population. This dual approach has put Palestinians in a difficult position—some are hesitant to accept aid from the new group, while others are desperate enough to take it despite Hamas's warnings against doing so.

Ceasefire Negotiations: Amidst these developments, there are tentative movements towards a temporary ceasefire and a hostage exchange deal. Daniel Estrin from NPR reports that negotiations are expected to take place in Cairo, but optimism remains cautious at this stage (05:14).

Notable Quotes:

• “There are people who would like to see these universities brought down.” – Alan Garber, President of Harvard University (00:31)
• “It’s really an idea that was devised by Israeli military veterans since the early days of the Gaza war to separate civilians into guarded zones, to feed those civilians and to starve Hamas.” – Daniel Estrin (04:29)

2. Harvard President Defends Legal Battles Against Trump Administration

Standing Firm Against Policy Attacks

Harvard University is actively resisting two significant actions by the Trump administration: the cutting off of billions in research grants and the attempted ban on hosting international students. In response, Harvard has filed lawsuits to challenge these measures, with a judge temporarily blocking the international student ban, allowing foreign students to remain for now.

President Alan Garber’s Stance: In a video interview with Steve Inskeep, Harvard President Alan Garber emphasized the university’s commitment to education and truth, asserting that failing in these areas invites attacks:

• Commitment to Core Values: “We need to be firm in our commitments to what we stand for. And what we stand for, I believe, is education, pursuit of the truth. When we fail in that, then we can expect to be attacked.” (06:06)
• Defense Against Conservative Critique: Garber acknowledges that some conservatives aim to reshape elite higher education, particularly targeting DEI initiatives. He maintains that such attacks are misdirected and counterproductive to national and global betterment.

Legal and Political Challenges: The Department of Homeland Security alleges that Harvard refused to share information about its international students, which is vehemently denied by the university. Garber criticizes the administration’s actions as efforts to exert control over a private institution, linking the funding cuts to political motivations rather than legitimate security concerns.

Addressing Campus Anti-Semitism: Garber also addressed issues of anti-Semitism on campus, noting that some students felt marginalized for not aligning with predominant views on Israel. He is actively working to foster an environment that encourages diverse opinions and international perspectives.

Implications for Higher Education: The ongoing legal battles highlight the tension between federal policies and the autonomy of private educational institutions. The outcome of these lawsuits could set significant precedents for the future of international education and research funding in the United States.

Notable Quotes:

• “We shouldn’t be in an echo chamber. Everyone in our community needs to hear other views.” – Alan Garber (08:38)
• “Shutting off that work does not help the country, even as it punishes Harvard.” – Alan Garber (07:29)

3. DEI Rollbacks Lead to Thousands of Corporate Layoffs

Corporate Retreat from Diversity Initiatives

In a stark reversal from the heightened focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs following the murder of George Floyd, corporate America is now abandoning these initiatives. This shift has resulted in the elimination of over 2,600 DEI-related jobs in the past few years, amounts to more than 10% of these positions at the beginning of 2023.

Factors Driving DEI Rollbacks:

• Legal and Political Pressures: The Supreme Court's decision to overturn affirmative action in 2023 and subsequent conservative backlash have heightened the perceived legal and financial risks associated with DEI initiatives.
• Executive Orders and Policy Changes: President Trump’s reelection brought executive orders targeting what he labels "illegal DEI," further discouraging companies from maintaining these programs.
• Corporate Risk Management: Companies like Verizon have ceased DEI efforts to secure large federal deals, demonstrating the tangible business impacts of maintaining such initiatives.

Impact on DEI Professionals: The retreat from DEI has significantly affected professionals in this field. Maria Aspen of NPR highlights the plight of individuals like Candace Birdsong Williams, a DEI executive with nearly two decades of experience, who has struggled to find new employment after being laid off.

Personal Stories: Candace Birdsong Williams shared her frustrations: “I've been in interviews, and they're like, okay, we're no longer going to rehire for we're no longer going to staff this role. And so that's when I knew this isn't the same environment that it was years ago.” (11:48)

Economic and Social Repercussions: The dismantling of DEI programs not only affects those employed in these roles but also undermines efforts to create more inclusive and equitable workplaces. The loss of specialized DEI professionals hampers organizations' abilities to address systemic inequalities and foster diverse environments.

Future Outlook: The significant reduction in DEI roles signals a potential setback for corporate inclusivity efforts. As companies navigate the changing political landscape, the sustainability and importance of DEI initiatives remain uncertain, raising concerns about long-term impacts on workplace diversity and employee equity.

Notable Quotes:

• “This is a really steep loss of a lot of jobs, and it's affecting thousands of people who are trained and experienced in this area.” – Maria Aspen (10:55)
• “It's just been it's been pretty tough. We tell a lot more of her story in a new digital feature that published today@npr.org” – Maria Aspen (12:54)

Conclusion

Today's episode of "Up First" delved into pressing global and national issues, highlighting the complexities of humanitarian aid in conflict zones, the ongoing struggles of elite educational institutions against political pressures, and the significant shifts in corporate America's approach to diversity and inclusion. These stories underscore the interconnectedness of politics, social justice, and economic policies in shaping our world.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• “The plan cannot follow principles of humanity and neutrality and there really is not a lot of transparency about this group.” – Jake Wood, former director of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation 03:17
• “We need to be firm in our commitments to what we stand for. And what we stand for, I believe, is education, pursuit of the truth. When we fail in that, then we can expect to be attacked.” – Alan Garber, President of Harvard University 06:06
• “We shouldn’t be in an echo chamber. Everyone in our community needs to hear other views.” – Alan Garber 08:38
• “This is a really steep loss of a lot of jobs, and it's affecting thousands of people who are trained and experienced in this area.” – Maria Aspen 10:55
• “I've been in interviews, and they're like, okay, we're no longer going to rehire for we're no longer going to staff this role. And so that's when I knew this isn't the same environment that it was years ago.” – Candace Birdsong Williams 11:48

Listen to "Up First" for more insights and stay informed with NPR’s comprehensive coverage.