Senate Bill 17
Some big things have been happening in the DEI world lately, so we’re backtracking to January news with the demise of DEI positions in Texas and consequences of Senate Bill 17.
In recent years, DEI positions have gained prominence across various sectors throughout the country, but on January 1, 2024 Texas passed a controversial law that directly targets DEI positions within public institutions (particularly in schools and universities) (Texas Public Radio).
Senator Brandon Creighton, who penned the bill, is quoted as saying that DEI efforts are “an effort to inject politics and promote cancel-culture into our colleges and universities” (Associated Press). To be frank, he is a white, able bodied, heterosexual male who will never experience discrimination at all, or if he does, in the way that BIPOC and disabled people do. His racism isn’t just showing, he’s got floating neon arrows pointing down at him.
The passed law effectively undermines efforts to foster diversity and inclusion within educational institutions across the state. It reverses the pursuit of diversity and inclusion that is so important to creating equitable environments in places of learning and work.
Marginalized communities, including people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities, will bear the brunt of this regressive legislation. Without dedicated support from DEI positions, these marginalized communities are at greater risk of experiencing discrimination, harassment, and exclusion within educational and professional settings.
While Senator Creighton doesn’t see the value in DEI programs- others do. University of Texas student Christian Mira is in the Queer Trans Black Indigenous People Of Color Agency and acknowledges how groups on campus like theirs give students a community to be safe on campus and succeed (Associated Press). While these student-run organizations are still allowed to exist, they cannot be funded by the school and students may be stretched thin taking on roles that the university previously provided with leading DEI initiatives, in addition to their regular studies.
The implications of this legislation extend beyond the confines of Texas, reverberating across the nation and setting a dangerous precedent for other states grappling with similar debates. The erosion of DEI initiatives in Texas serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for social justice.
DEI work is important in both educational settings and business settings. If you’d like to learn more about how DEI initiatives could benefit your business, drop us a line at this form, here.
