This year, over 30 Republican legislators from several states have submitted bills aimed at diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) programs in higher education. Prominent Republicans who feel DEI projects are ideologically motivated and foster division, such as former president Donald Trump and Florida governor Ron DeSantis, have increased their outrage. Due to his conviction that DEI offices are “fomenting radical and toxic divisions,” Texas Representative Carl Tepper has introduced a bill that would outlaw them in higher institutions. He re-introduced the measure this year, revising it to conform to a new model bill produced by the conservative think tanks Manhattan Institute and Goldwater Institute.
The proposals are a result of previous Republican efforts to restrict critical race theory, which holds that racism is institutionalized and has a long history in the United States, making it difficult for people of color to succeed in society. Many libertarian and conservative groups have proposed restrictions on how DEI is taken into account when making decisions about employment, training, and school admissions. A couple of these proposals practically verbatim copy the model laws, while others modify the concepts by defining important terms or including language unique to their respective states.
One of the most notable laws is the Florida “Stop WOKE” statute, a bill that prohibits companies, institutions, and K–12 schools from offering training on racist ideas intended to polarize kids was signed by Governor DeSantis last year. The district courts have nevertheless now barred the clause from being used in colleges, universities, and enterprises. DeSantis has persisted in introducing legislation to disenfranchise DEI offices and programs, unfazed.
Higher education and business have made inclusivity a primary priority, devoting significant resources and time to the cause. Campus DEI offices are crucial in leading the charge for services catered to students of varied racial backgrounds, gender identities, sexual orientations, cultural backgrounds, and abilities. When awarding scholarships, employing new faculty members, and enrolling students, college authorities take DEI into account. In addition to asking for resumes and references, applicants might also be asked to provide statements outlining how they will improve DEI activities.
There is a great deal of desire on the right to address this issue, according to Joe Cohn, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression’s legislative and policy director.
The American Association of University Professors, which has over 45,000 members nationally, said that the legislation misrepresent DEI objectives. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, the majority of efforts center on diversity and critical race theory, however others follow a model bill restricting diversity, equality, and inclusion policies in Oklahoma.
