Our Spotlight Series honors heroes who defended the voiceless and stood against authoritarianism. Today, their stories face the threat of being erased under the U.S. government's growing efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion. Each person featured below had their story erased from the U.S. Department of Defense's website in March, 2025.
Governments can ban books, erase names, and whitewash history, but they cannot erase truth. The deeds and courage of those who stood for justice are indelible. The more they try to silence us, the louder we will speak. The more they erase, the more fiercely we will remember. Take a moment to read about Ira Hayes, hero of Iwo Jima, Kitty Saks, who told the story of the Holocaust lest we forget, Sgt Carney, one of the first Black soldiers to receive the Medal of Honor.
Governments can ban books, erase names, and whitewash history, but they cannot erase truth. The deeds and courage of those who stood for justice are indelible. The more they try to silence us, the louder we will speak. The more they erase, the more fiercely we will remember. Take a moment to read about Ira Hayes, hero of Iwo Jima, Kitty Saks, who told the story of the Holocaust lest we forget, Sgt Carney, one of the first Black soldiers to receive the Medal of Honor.
By shining a light on these heroes legacies, we resist this erasure. Whether you're discovering these remarkable individuals for the first time or reconnecting with their stories, we hope to inspire you to remember, honor—and to stand up and fight back.
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