A conservative backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts is rapidly gaining traction across the United States, with officials in about one-third of states now taking action to restrict such initiatives.
The latest move came in Tennessee, where the Republican governor signed legislation prohibiting financial institutions from considering a customer’s participation in DEI training or social justice programming. Similarly, Kansas recently barred using DEI statements in student admissions, financial aid or employment decisions at public colleges.
In Iowa, lawmakers approved a budget bill banning all DEI offices and initiatives at higher education institutions unless required for accreditation or federal compliance, expanding on a prior directive to eliminate DEI staff positions.
Republican legislators in around two dozen states have proposed bills this year aiming to curb DEI initiatives. Democrats in about 20 states have countered with measures supportive of such efforts. In total, around 150 bills addressing DEI programs have been introduced nationwide in 2023.
The pushback is driven by conservative claims that DEI initiatives promote an agenda prioritizing racial or gender identity over individual merit. Groups like the Manhattan Institute have provided model legislation to assist Republican state lawmakers in eliminating DEI offices or prohibiting their criteria in employment, admissions and financial decisions.
However, advocates argue these efforts are “weaponizing” DEI and reversing progress on addressing persistent inequities stemming from discriminatory practices.
Beyond higher education, Republican governors in states like Florida, Texas, Alabama and Utah have enacted broad restrictions on DEI programs across state agencies and public schools over the past year.
In response, some major university systems have revised policies, eliminating DEI positions, scrapping diversity statements for hiring, and shifting remaining programs toward vague “student success” goals to appease lawmakers controlling funding.
As the DEI debate intensifies, both sides are digging in – conservatives aiming to “abolish” such initiatives completely, while supporters scramble to defend practices they view as essential for promoting equity and inclusion.
This report has information from The Associated Press
