Alabama Fails Again
Photo by Clay Banks
So here we are talking about Alabama again. Is it just me or are we just going around in circles between Florida, Texas and Alabama? Like a game of who can move the bar farther to the right. Although we did take a step in the right direction when Alabama replaced an outgoing state Republican legislature member with a Democrat. So, there is hope.
But today, Alabama is another state to pass a measure targeting diversity, equity and inclusion programs. This is the new trend among conservative states. At least 6 other states have already signed Anti-DEI bills and over a dozen more are considering them.
The Bill was authored by Republican Senator Will Barfoot and disallows all of the things you would think a bill like this should include. No more DEI offices, no more state funded DEI programs and of course the requirement that public institutions of higher education “designate restrooms on the basis of biological sex” Now the argument can be made that Transgender people are choosing to live their “biological sex”. Have they thought that all the way through?
But there is one line I would like expound on. The bill states that Alabama will no longer support DEI programs that promote, endorse and affirm certain “divisive concepts” in certain public settings. Divisive? Where is it divisive? I will tell you where. Only in the minds of politically conservative people in Alabama and other states that feel the need to ostracize and criminalize what the rest of the free world views as normal behavior. How dare you feel you have the right to pick out a group of human beings and treat them as if they are worth less than anyone else. Humans, trying to be themselves is now divisive. Are there laws against teenagers pushing their boundaries? That’s certainly divisive. How about the White Supremacist groups all over the country? That is by definition, divisive, but it is considered free speech and is protected by the Constitution. Members of the LGBTQ+ community are simply “divisive” and we pass laws to make them go away. But the truth is they will not. How can they? They are a part of the human race as much as anyone else.
I have a quote here from Alabama Governor Nancy Ivey. Now I am assuming the Governor Ivey has a college education. After reading this last quote, I am thinking she did her college in Alabama because it reeks of the same ignorance we see in so much of this rhetoric. Which unfortunately is not limited to more states than just Alabama.
“My administration has and will continue to value Alabama’s rich diversity, however I refuse to allow a few bad actors on college campuses – or wherever else for that matter – to go under the acronym of DEI, using taxpayer funds, to push their liberal political movement counter to what the majority of Alabamian’s believe.”
Well maybe if they still had DEI programs in the state then people might learn the errors of their ways. But instead of taking the time to educate the ignorant, the politicians of this state would rather play the safe route and just keep their votes rolling in. It is no longer about the truth or what it right. It is whatever will keep them in office and bring in campaign funds.
The NAACP recently urged Black athletes to reconsider attending colleges in Florida after they were forced to slash DEI programs in that state. Can we do the same for Alabama? Maybe neighboring states can offer discounts or waive out of state fees for students wanting to escape their own oppressive areas.
Dr. Melvin Brown, Superintendent of Montgomery Public Schools, spoke out against this law. He said, “Diversity and inclusion provides an educational experience that allow students to explore a range of perspectives and cultures worldwide. We must create a culture of belonging for every student, no matter their background, preferences or socioeconomic status. As educators, it is our job to ensure that we cultivate environments that allow students to feel safe and prepare them for an evolving world. Introducing a bill that limits this interaction is detrimental to the success of our student’s futures.”
This is so well said. I want to point out a couple of parts such as “evolving world”. Change is hard for many people. Unwanted for the most part, but it is the natural course of the world. Many things that we see today did not exist, openly, when I was a younger. But that did not mean they were not there. Do not fool yourselves. They were just kept hidden because society was so much harsher then. Just a few were brave enough to stand so that others might have it easier today.
Parts of this article are from Victor Hagan’s piece in USA Today
