The Trump White House has issued a proclamation recognizing February as Black History Month around the same time the Defense Department issued guidance declaring “identity months dead.”

Feb. 1 marks the first day of Black History Month, and suddenly the study of the Black experience may feel like an act of defiance.

President Donald Trump will sign a proclamation on Saturday recognizing February as Black History Month, despite his efforts to whittle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives out of the federal government.