Did you know that more than 30 states have introduced bills that would either ban or limit DEI initiatives?
Probably not.
This tidbit of information was written about at length in an article from NBC News. As I read the article, here are the key points that inspired this post,
- In Florida, the Board of Education recently announced a new rule banning public colleges from using state and federal funds on DEI initiatives
- Last summer, Texas governor Greg Abbott signed a law that required all state-funded colleges and universities to close their DEI offices
- A bill has been introduced and passed by the Utah House of Representatives and Senate that would ban all government and universities from having offices dedicated to promoting diversity
The article also noted that, “Advocated for the anti-DEI movement have called such policies and programs unconstitutional, holding the focusing on diversity and inclusion only divides Americans and fosters, ‘white guilt'”
Before I get into my opinion on these efforts, I want to ensure this post remains educational and start with a definition of each word – diversity, equity and inclusion.
What is Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)?
- Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) refers to practices and policies intended to support people who come from varying backgrounds and give them the resources they need to thrive in the workplace.
- A DEI framework takes into account factors like race, gender and sexual orientation, so teams can find ways to help employees of marginalized groups succeed.
The other thing that needs to be noted when looking at the term, ‘diversity’, we have to understand that the term INCLUDES “race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation AND socioeconomic class”.
Legislation banning DEI efforts in addition to lawmakers doing everything they can to kill the teaching of critical race theory – many people are wondering how, when and why there is a fight to isolate certain parts of our country’s history.
In my opinion, erasing pieces of history is about as American as apple pie.
We have to remember that there are people in this country that are still profiting off the labor of 400 years of slavery building this country. The reason why legislators are doing everything they can to discourage the real history of our country it because of how future generations will view the indiscretions of their ancestors. That’s fair because those who do not know history’s mistakes are doomed to repeat it. These bills that are being introduced echo the hateful sentiments of those that came before them.
What people do not understand is that DEI initiatives aren’t only representative of people of color. The word ‘inclusion’ means to ‘include’ anyone that would be at a disadvantage. The initiatives are also meant for those with a socioeconomic class that is below the status quo.
What do I mean by that statement?
There are plenty of white people that benefit from DEI initiatives and by not understanding the point of these programs, legislators and lawmakers are creating more problems that solutions for their constituents. At some point – our government officials have to want more for us as we are the ones electing them into office and paying their salaries with our taxes.
Also – it’ll be interesting to see how these laws play out as we get ready for another presidential campaign leading up to November.
Black. Girl. Iowa. 