Things are not aways what they appear to be.  This is a precautionary idiom to prevent us from over thinking ambiguous matters and assuming the worst.

But sometimes things are just what they appear to be. We are conditioned to take it in stride, brush it off, accept the narratives.   

There has been a quiet, but evolving, assault on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) since 2016. It metastasized to state legislatures. Bills were submitted and policies were crafted to limit DEI initiatives.

DEI programs are now prohibited by Executive Order from the President. It is bad for the country, it divides us. 

We have allowed the narrative on DEI policies, programs, and initiatives to be framed as racial preference. It was never about that. It was always about equity and inclusion; it is about the starting line, the level playing field for all qualified applicants.

The assaults have targeted colleges, universities, and the labor force. With executive order prohibiting any nod to DEI, the full throttle push has moved into the media, and network programming, for on camera personalities and support staff.

CNN and MSNBC cable news networks, recently shuffled program schedules and axed some primetime shows.  The programs canceled were primarily hosted by people of color (POC). 

Joy Reid, the voice behind ReidOut, and perhaps the most notable and outspoken, was canceled. Ayman Mohyeldin, Jonathan Capehart, Katie Phang, and Alex Wagner all were felled by the purging axe.

Leadership changes and declining ratings justify the changes. It’s plausible.

Changes at the top often signal a shift in network priorities. Rebecca Kutler is the new president of MSNBC. Some of the canceled programs had ratings challenges, however, some lower-performing shows with White hosts were retained.

The decline in viewership, i.e., ratings, is typical post-election disengagement. The progressive social and political left-leaning programs experienced a 46% decline in viewers compared to the first 10 months of 2024.

Ratings began to rebound after the inauguration. There was an 86% increase in primetime viewership.

Things are not always what they appear to be. Although the shakeup walks like a duck, let’s try to interpret what appears to be from multiple perspectives.

MSNBC leadership may have overreacted to temporary ratings declines. Their impulsive decision to cancel POC hosted programs failed to understand the cyclical nature of political news audiences.

Perhaps the network prioritized the refresh. It introduced a fresh lineup for the renewed audience engagement. Network leadership assessed that the underperforming shows were misaligned with their evolving brand. Restructuring was a calculated move to strengthen primetime programming.

But we cannot ignore that all the canceled programs were POC hosted. Is the network deliberately reducing its diversity footprint? News media is protected by the First Amendment.

We have entered a regressive milieu wherein the duck arrogantly walks. It’s acceptable to boast of being racist with peremptory disregard.

There is another social idiom that comes to mind and may be applicable to the audacity of our times. It was in the lyrics of a popular R&B song of the late 1960s. It was affirming as we mused about our times, and space, and the circumstances of our lives experienced within the social construct of America.

And we mused about it, whether on the dance floors of our favorite escapes, or in the pews of our places of worship. We wanted to believe that the rejection, the oppression, the devaluation of our contributions to the greatness of America, were waning.

Things are never as bad as they seem, it’s just thinking about it that makes it so mean, the song rhythmically chimed.

But we need to think about this!

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By Taalib Saber, attorney and owner of The Saber Firm

As Black History Month reminds us of our legacy of resilience and economic power, recent federal rollbacks of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs have sent shockwaves through corporate America. While these policy changes may feel like a setback, they present a unique opportunity for Black entrepreneurs to double down on self-sufficiency and community-driven business growth.

A Wake-Up Call for Black Business Owners

DEI initiatives have helped Black professionals access corporate contracts and funding opportunities, but many provided symbolic representation without tangible economic transformation. With these policies being dismantled, it’s time for Black business owners to rely less on institutional diversity programs and more on collaborative, community-driven economic strategies.

This isn’t a time for despair. It’s a time to reimagine economic power. When systems exclude us, we innovate. When doors close, we build new ones. From the Freedmen’s Bureau to Black Wall Street, our ancestors created success despite systemic opposition.

Turning Setbacks into Power Plays

Rather than seeing DEI rollbacks as obstacles, Black entrepreneurs should view them as catalysts for collective wealth-building. Today’s success stories prove this approach works.

Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty revolutionized the cosmetics industry by creating products for all skin tones when mainstream brands wouldn’t. By focusing first on underserved Black and brown consumers, Fenty Beauty generated $100 million in sales in its first 40 days and has grown into a billion-dollar enterprise that forced the entire beauty industry to become more inclusive.

Calendly, founded by Nigerian-American Tope Awotona, became a billion-dollar scheduling platform by solving a universal problem. Despite initial struggles to secure venture funding, Awotona bootstrapped his company until its value was undeniable, ultimately raising $350 million and reaching a $3 billion valuation.

The Fifteen Percent Pledge, founded by Aurora James, demonstrates the power of intentional economic redirection. By persuading major retailers like Sephora and Macy’s to dedicate 15% of shelf space to Black-owned brands, the initiative has shifted over $10 billion to Black businesses since 2020.

How Black Businesses Can Thrive

Leverage Group Economics: Focus on Business-to-Business (B2B) relationships within the community through strategic partnerships and shared marketing efforts. Black entrepreneurs can drive revenue by prioritizing Black-owned vendors and service providers.

Explore Alternative Capital: While government-backed DEI funding may disappear, access capital through angel investors, venture capitalists focused on minority-owned businesses, and crowdfunding. Organizations like the Black Angel Tech Fund and 1863 Ventures are specifically supporting Black entrepreneurs.

• Master Digital Marketing: Without DEI mandates, securing contracts will be more competitive. A strong digital presence, SEO-optimized websites, social media dominance, and powerful branding are non-negotiable.
• Own Your Intellectual Property: In entertainment, sports, and entrepreneurship, prioritize ownership through trademarks, copyrights, and business structures that prevent exploitation while ensuring generational wealth.
• Build Industry-Specific Networks: Creating Black-led professional networks in industries like law, entertainment, and finance will ensure access to opportunities that corporate America may no longer prioritize.

Contemporary Success Through Community Power

Blavity Inc., founded by Morgan DeBaun, has built a digital media empire reaching over 30 million millennials monthly. By focusing on serving Black audiences and creators first, Blavity has expanded to include multiple brands and hosts AfroTech, the largest Black tech conference in America.

Greenwood Bank, co-founded by Ryan Glover, rapper Killer Mike, and former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young, raised $40 million in funding before even opening its doors. Named after the prosperous “Black Wall Street” district, this digital banking platform specifically serves Black and Latino communities by reinvesting in minority businesses.

Pattern Beauty by Tracee Ellis Ross demonstrates the power of serving community needs first. By creating hair products specifically designed for Black women, the brand became profitable within days of launching and secured distribution at major retailers nationwide.

The Black Wealth Renaissance

Black history has always been marked by resilience. When access is denied, we create our own tables. By focusing on economic empowerment, ownership, and strategic partnerships within our community, we can build an ecosystem that thrives beyond political shifts.

This isn’t about segregation. It’s about elevation. It’s about ensuring Black businesses aren’t dependent on temporary policies but rooted in sustainable strategies that allow prosperity regardless of who’s in office.

We have always been our best investment. When we bet on ourselves, we win. When we invest in each other, we grow. When we circulate our dollars within our communities, we build lasting wealth.

Action Steps for Black Entrepreneurs

Identify and partner with Black-owned suppliers and vendors. Ensure your business is properly structured to protect assets. Develop a strong online brand presence. Explore funding options that prioritize Black entrepreneurs. Join or form industry-specific Black business networks. Support Black-owned financial institutions. Advocate for policies that benefit Black entrepreneurs.

The future is ours. Our history proves that we thrive when we work together. The attack on DEI is not the end of opportunity. It’s the beginning of a new Black economic renaissance. If we seize this moment, we won’t just survive. We will thrive!

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Dear Editor:

I am writing to you because recently, the University of Cincinnati has decided to spend money and effort to replace residence hall bathroom signs to specify for “biological” men and women as a result of an Ohio bill being passed. This has caused a lot of uproar in students, especially because UC is home to so many LGBT+ students. I myself have friends in my major who are transgender and nonbinary, and this will be directly affecting them.

After emailing the president of the University, he sent out a mass email to the student body saying that the University will be getting rid of all traces of DEI in classes, social media, scholarships and more. This new statement is terrifying for the diverse student body who attend this institution. Although it is because of the current Trump Administration’s new regulations, but the University of Cincinnati was the FIRST in this region to begin this as soon as possible, marking themselves (sic) as the precedent in showing their students do not matter.

I think speaking on this issue would be important to help get the word out about how everything that is happening in our government right now is directly affecting places like our colleges, making our homes here feel unsafe and making the students that pay thousands of dollars every year feel like they do not matter to this institution at all. 

Hailey Smith
Interior Design
College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning
University of Cincinnati

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Target Corporation’s stock plummeted by approximately $27.27 per share by the end of February, erasing about $12.4 billion in market value. The drop came on February 28, the designated economic blackout day, and coincided with mounting backlash over the retailer’s decision to abandon its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitments.

The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) has taken action through its Public Education and Selective Buying Campaign. NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. said, “Black consumers helped build Target into a retail giant, and now they are making their voices heard. If corporations believe they can roll back diversity commitments without consequence, they are mistaken.”

Reverend Jamal Bryant, pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Georgia, has led calls for a “40-Day Target Fast,” urging Black consumers to withhold their spending at the retailer. “Black people spend $12 million a day at Target,” Bryant said. “If we withhold our dollars, we can make a statement that cannot be ignored.”

The NAACP also issued a Black Consumer Advisory in response to Target’s DEI rollback, warning Black consumers about corporate retreat from diversity initiatives. The advisory urges them to support businesses that remain committed to investing in Black communities.

Target is also facing legal battles. Shareholders have filed lawsuits challenging the company’s DEI policies, arguing that the commitments hurt financial performance. Meanwhile, conservative groups have sued over Target’s diversity efforts, claiming they discriminated against white employees and other groups.

“Consumers have the power to demand change, and Target is learning that lesson the hard way,” Chavis said.

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Contributed

University of Cincinnati President Neville G. Pinto released the following letter to media, staff and students, following the future of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs that also apply to universities and other educational institutions that accept federal funding:

Dear UC Community,

I write to you today to share some challenging truths about the future of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at the University of Cincinnati. As you are no doubt aware, the federal government has effectively outlawed DEI programs and practices within government entities, including public universities nationwide.

If you haven’t already, please take the time to read President Trump’s Executive Order 14173 from January 21 as well as the February 14 “Dear Colleague” letter from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights (OCR), which calls for the elimination of DEI in higher education.

Taken together, these federal actions are sweeping in their scope, categorical in their conclusions and pressing in their timing. The OCR letter specifically states that we must comply with these new rules by February 28, after which OCR will begin holding noncompliant universities accountable.

In response to these mandates, Provost Kristi Nelson and I spent this week informing our deans and vice presidents of the initial steps we must take to ensure compliance. We also met with Faculty Senate Cabinet to inform them of the implications of these developments. Our message to them — and to you — is this: Given the extent to which our university, like most educational institutions, relies on federal funding to deliver and sustain our core mission, it is untenable to operate as if noncompliance with these directives is an effective option. In addition, Ohio’s 136th General Assembly is in the process of fast-tracking Senate Bill 1, which, in its current form, reinforces federal DEI prohibitions.

Given this new landscape, Ohio public and federally supported institutions like ours have little choice but to follow the laws that govern us. Meanwhile, we will continue to work through our state and federal Government Relations channels to encourage legislators to support policies that honor the mission of public higher education, which is so essential for the development of citizens for our democracy.

What does all of this mean for UC as of today?

Our leaders have begun evaluating jobs and duties related to DEI and examining our DEI programming, initiatives and projects to bring all areas into compliance. In addition, we have begun removing references to DEI principles across university websites, social media and collateral materials. This will be a heavy lift, and I am thankful for our university leaders and their teams who grasp what is at stake in this moment. We must approach this process with the thoughtfulness and thoroughness that such complex comprehensive endeavors entail, while always keeping the well-being of the people most affected at the heart of our efforts.

I recognize that these decisions are weighty, and these actions are a departure from decades of established practice within academic communities. I also continue to ask for your patience and understanding as we do the hard work that will be required to unwind many years of DEI efforts under an extremely compressed timeline.

We are committed to meet both our compliance obligations and our mission to provide a supportive learning and working environment where all are welcome, safe and free to be successful. Indeed, there remain many unanswered questions, and we are working diligently to arrive at answers. As we move forward, we will share updates as information becomes available.

Sincerely,
Neville G Pinto

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Corporate America’s retreat from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitments is already having significant repercussions, with consumer boycotts, stock fluctuations, and mounting legal battles reshaping the financial landscape for major firms. Companies that once championed DEI efforts in the wake of George Floyd’s murder have begun to abandon these initiatives under mounting conservative pressure, only to face economic and public relations consequences of their own.

Target is at the center of a lawsuit alleging it misled investors about its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and DEI policies. The lawsuit argues that Target’s messaging led to widespread boycotts following its 2023 LGBTQ+ Pride campaign, which extended into a 2024 backlash. The impact on the retailer’s bottom line has been undeniable, with Target’s stock price experiencing a sharp decline. On a recent trading day, shares dipped another 28 cents. Further, Blue Chip Partners LLC reduced its holdings in Target by 6.8% in the fourth quarter, selling more than 10,000 shares.

Despite dropping its own DEI initiative, Walmart has fared better than Target, even as Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund recently divested from the retailer. On Feb. 14, Walmart’s stock slipped from $105.30 per share opening to $103.60, a minor dip compared to the larger financial instability seen elsewhere.

Other corporations abandoning DEI commitments are feeling the strain in different ways. Ford, which eliminated its DEI program, is now facing what many argue is the karma of a staggering $2.5 billion in punitive damages from a recent jury verdict in Columbus. McDonald’s has seen its stock continue steadily declining, falling to $308.55 per share, with Blue Chip Partners LLC also selling off its holdings in the fast-food giant. Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, preparing to comply with executive orders to dismantle DEI programs, have also taken hits. Coca-Cola’s stock dropped by more than 63 cents, while PepsiCo saw a more than $1.19 per share decline.

Some companies that have retreated from DEI, such as Meta and JPMorgan Chase, have managed to hold their ground. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has cozied up to MAGA figures, shielding the company from harsher backlash. Meanwhile, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, who has long advocated for diversity, recently downplayed DEI training programs, insisting the bank’s approach to minority communities remains unchanged. The company’s stock has remained steady at $276.59.

Citigroup and Morgan Stanley have also largely avoided financial fallout, maintaining relatively stable stock prices despite walking back their diversity commitments. However, Citigroup’s decision to remove or alter its public-facing DEI language has drawn criticism. Goldman Sachs took a similar step, scrapping a requirement that companies it takes public must have at least two diverse board members, citing legal developments.

The entertainment and media industries are not immune. Disney has overhauled its DEI initiatives, dropping its “Reimagine Tomorrow” website and adjusting diversity-related content warnings. While Disney’s stock has fluctuated, it recently slightly increased by 79 cents. Meanwhile, PBS has shuttered its DEI office, citing the need to comply with anti-DEI executive orders.

Corporate compliance with Trump-aligned policies is also apparent in the beverage and consulting industries. Bloomberg reported that Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are adjusting their policies to align with federal contract regulations. Deloitte has told U.S. employees working with government clients to remove pronouns from their email signatures, rolling back its DEI goals. Accenture, another major consulting firm, has eliminated diversity targets in hiring and promotion, citing the Trump administration’s stance.

Retailers and financial institutions are also responding. Lowe’s has merged its employee resource groups under one umbrella and cut its participation in external diversity events. Truist Financial Corp. recently trimmed its stake in Lowe’s, selling off over 39,000 shares. Meanwhile, Amazon omitted DEI language from its latest SEC filing, signaling a broader shift in corporate strategies. Boeing has dismantled its DEI department, folding those responsibilities into human resources.

Consumer and activist backlash has been swift. The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), representing the Black Press of America, has launched a national public education and selective buying campaign in response to corporate America’s retreat from DEI. The NAACP has also issued a spending guide identifying businesses that have abandoned or upheld diversity commitments. Pastor Jamal Bryant of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta has called for a 40-day economic fast against Target, urging 100,000 people to halt spending at the retailer. Bryant noted that Target had pledged $2 billion toward Black-owned businesses but rescinded that commitment in January.

“Black people spend $12 million a day at Target,” Bryant said on the Black Press’ Let It Be Known news program. “Because of how many dollars are spent there and the absence of commitment to our community, we are focusing on Target first.”

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Contributed

According to news reports, an order from Donald Trump‘s administration has ordered the Pentagon to stop Black History Month activities and many more celebrations. In a memo to the Pentagon’s intelligence agency, the White House revealed that all activities related to Black History Month are now banned.    According to MSNBC, the Defense Intelligence Agency followed up with a statement, saying the department is pausing all activities related to 11 “special observances” in compliance with Trump’s ban on diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

The agency has also made plans to eliminate several other celebrations dedicated to minority groups. That includes banning Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, National American Indian Heritage Month, LGBTQ Pride Month, Women’s History Month, Juneteenth, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Martin Luther King III responded to the Trump administration in a statement he made on X, saying he will fight to protect his father’s legacy now more than ever.

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By Dr. Benjamin Chavis, President, National Newspaper Publishers Association

The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), representing the Black Press of America, has announced the planning and implementation of a national public education and selective buying campaign across the nation in direct response to those corporate entities that have dismantled their respective Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) commitments, programs and staffing. “We are the trusted voice of Black America, and we will not be silent or nonresponsive to the rapid rise of renewed Jim Crow racist policies in corporate America,” stated NNPA Chairman Bobby R. Henry Sr.

“The Black Press of America continues to remain on the frontline keeping our families and communities informed and engaged on all the issues that impact our quality of life.” At a recent convening of NNPA member publishers and editors, a united resolve was reached that each member publication of the NNPA will begin a national public education campaign coupled with the release of research data on those America companies that are engaging in efforts to sanction racial injustice, inequitable polices, divisive leadership, and economic apartheid in America.

“We note forthrightly that Black Americans spend $2 trillion dollars annually as consumers of products and services throughout the United States,” NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. emphasized. “We now must evaluate and realign to question why we continue to spend our money with companies that do not respect us,” Chavis continued. “This now must come to an end.

These contradictions will not go unchallenged by 50 million Black Americans who have struggled for centuries to ensure equality, fairness and inclusion in our nation’s democracy.” A selective buying campaign involves exercising the right to select what we spend our money on and who we spend our money with. The following are some of the major American companies that have publicly retreated from Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Target, Lowe’s, John Deere, Walmart, Meta, and Tractor Supply.

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Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chairman Steven Horsford (NV-04) and CBC members have released a first-of-its-kind report titled “What Good Looks Like: A Corporate Accountability Report on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.” The report aims to hold Fortune 500 companies accountable for their commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the wake of George Floyd’s murder and the racial justice movement that followed. This initiative comes as corporate America faces renewed scrutiny following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn affirmative action in the Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard case.

The CBC’s report highlights which corporations are making tangible progress in advancing DEI and offers a roadmap for other companies to follow. Despite efforts from right-wing groups to dismantle diversity initiatives, the report finds that many Fortune 500 companies are standing firm in their commitments. The report also examines DEI practices in manufacturing, finance, insurance, and technology sectors, providing industry-specific insights.

Most Fortune 500 companies participating in the CBC’s survey demonstrated their commitment to DEI even after the Supreme Court’s ruling. CBC members said this is crucial because conservative organizations, such as Stephen Miller-led America First Legal, are increasingly waging legal and political attacks against corporations’ diversity initiatives. These groups argue that DEI initiatives violate federal law, threatening legal action against companies that continue to promote workplace diversity.

The Findings

The CBC’s report offers a detailed analysis of diversity efforts across various industries, using data from the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) and the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Key findings include:

• Sector Representation: The bulk of the responses came from companies in manufacturing (31%), finance and insurance (25%), and information (16%).
• Best Practices: The report identifies 12 best practices, including leadership accountability, data disaggregation, talent retention, and pay equity. These examples provide a model for other companies to implement DEI strategies effectively.
• Progress and Challenges: While many companies have made significant strides, persistent gaps remain, particularly in leadership diversity and retention rates. The report encourages corporations to move beyond public statements and implement measurable DEI outcomes.

The CBC hopes the report will serve as a tool for corporations to benchmark their progress and adopt more robust DEI measures. “What Good Looks Like” outlines not only where companies are succeeding but also where opportunities for improvement lie, urging corporate leaders to align their actions with their stated DEI values.

Conservative Backlash and the Fight for DEI

Officials said the CBC’s efforts to hold corporations accountable come amid heightened political tensions. Since the Supreme Court’s ruling, Donald Trump and his supporters have escalated their attacks on DEI programs. Right-wing legal campaigns have targeted not only corporate diversity efforts, but also federal programs aimed at leveling the playing field for Black and minority-owned businesses.

Conservative attorneys general from over a dozen states have warned Fortune 500 companies, threatening legal action over their diversity programs. Additionally, anti-DEI bills have been introduced in more than 30 states, aiming to restrict diversity efforts in college admissions and the workplace.

Despite the attacks, the CBC said it remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing racial and economic equity. In December 2023, the CBC sent Fortune 500 companies an accountability letter urging them to uphold their DEI commitments in the face of political pressure, which catalyzed the report.

Corporate America’s response has been overwhelmingly positive. Since the CBC’s letter, companies have held over 50 meetings with CBC representatives, affirming their dedication to diversity. The CBC has also convened discussions with industry trade associations and hosted a briefing with more than 300 Fortune 500 company representatives to strengthen collaboration on DEI efforts.

Moving Forward

The CBC’s report is not just a reflection on past efforts but a call to action for the future. It highlights the importance of cross-industry learning, encouraging companies to share best practices and build upon one another’s successes. The CBC also recommends that corporations adopt consistent performance metrics to track progress and foster accountability.

Looking ahead, the CBC plans to push for more economic opportunities for Black Americans, focusing on closing the racial wealth gap. Horsford emphasized that DEI is not only a moral imperative but also an economic one. Research from McKinsey & Company shows that racially diverse companies outperform their peers by 39% in profitability, further underscoring the business case for diversity.

The CBC’s report offers a roadmap for companies committed to fostering a more inclusive and equitable future, despite political and legal challenges.

“Following the murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, we witnessed a nationwide response calling for long-overdue justice and accountability,” Horsford wrote in the report. “Millions of Americans flooded the streets in protest to advocate for an end to the cycles of violence against Black Americans that are perpetuated by systemic racism ingrained deeply in the United States.

“Now, in order to move forward and achieve the goals of these commitments, we must evaluate where we are and stay the course. We cannot allow a handful of right-wing agitators to bully corporations away from their promises.”

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Alabama Republicans have stirred controversy with the passage of a divisive bill targeting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D.E.I.) efforts in public colleges. The legislation slashes funding for diversity programs and imposes restrictions on discussing “divisive concepts” related to race and gender within educational settings.

Met with widespread support in the State Legislature, the bill faced vehement opposition from various quarters. Democrats, student groups, and civil rights advocates condemned it as an assault on free speech and diversity initiatives, particularly poignant given Alabama’s history of segregation and racism.

“The advancements that we have made… in this country, they’re slowly rolling it back,” remarked State Representative Juandalynn Givan, a Democrat, expressing concerns over the bill’s implications.

Furthermore, the legislation prohibits transgender individuals from using bathrooms aligned with their gender identity on public university campuses, aligning Alabama with a broader right-wing campaign targeting D.E.I. programs nationwide.

With the bill’s passage, dissent persists. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin urged student-athletes to consider institutions prioritizing diversity and inclusion, suggesting potential repercussions for Alabama’s educational institutions.

“Would you be cool with your child playing at schools where diversity among staff is actively being discouraged?” Mayor Randall Woodfin asked, emphasizing the importance of diversity in educational settings.

Meanwhile, students rallied against similar anti-D.E.I. measures at the University of Louisville, fearing academic restrictions and scholarship implications.

“Unfortunately, I’m not surprised by the empty words we’ve been given,” remarked protester Elizabeth Hinsdale. “If I am not able to study what I want to at this university or any in Kentucky, I’m left with no choice but to transfer out of state,” added Savannah Dowell, expressing concerns about potential academic limitations.

Several states across the country have passed or proposed anti-DE&I bills that target diversity training, curriculum content, and initiatives aimed at promoting inclusivity in various sectors. States such as Texas, Florida, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Tennessee have advanced or enacted legislation restricting discussions on topics related to race and gender in educational institutions, public workplaces, and government-funded programs.

“We cannot, without equivocation, support any legislation that limits the university’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts,” declared President Kim Schatzel, echoing concerns raised by students.

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