Another view: Diversity, Equality and Inclusiveness: Banned in Texas

The leadership of the State of Texas has banned diversity, equality and inclusion in higher education! They are banning the concept, the DEI offices and programs on their campuses, and they are even banning the very words!

Last week the author of the bill banning DEI, sent letters to all Texas colleges and universities, and said if they didn’t get rid of these words, offices and programs on their campuses immediately, they would lose state funds. All over the state, colleges and universities are doing word searches on their websites for those three words.

What is the opposite of diversity? Uniformity, i.e. all white students!

What is the opposite of equality? Inequality, i.e. disparity in basic rights and needs.

What is the opposite of inclusion? Exclusion i.e. separate but not equal.

Does banning diversity, equality, and inclusiveness equal racism? Think about it.

Shame on our state leadership!

So long to “the land of the free and home of the brave!” So long to Christian values and principles!

Because of our state leadership, many state employees are living in fear of their jobs, many will never be allowed to attend college, and many will not receive the support they need to stay in college. The civilized, humane and progressive gains of the past 60 years are being wiped out. Our state is going backwards and returning to inequality and sowing hopelessness as fast as it can.

Since President Lyndon Johnson had the courage pass the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts of 1964 and 1965, our nation has struggled to achieve diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) to replace a hundred years of Jim Crow America. Johnson even predicted that conservatives would leave the Democratic party and rush to the Republican Party when these Acts passed, and that’s exactly what happened.

American businesses and both private and non-profit organizations, are moving forward with DEI programs because they know it will result in broader input into decision making, a better educated and employable citizenry, and a happy society. Remember those words “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?”

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Another view: Diversity, Equality and Inclusiveness: Banned in Texas