DEI has emerged as a major culture war issue less than four years after the tragic murder of George Floyd prompted a national conversation regarding racial and structural inequities in American society. The DEI pushback is strong and widespread, especially in public higher education.
According to The Chronicle of Higher Education DEI Legislation Tracker, 28 states have enacted legislation that prohibits public universities from:
· considering race, sex, ethnicity, and national origin in admissions or employment,Dr. James H. Johnson, Jr.
· establishing offices and spending money on DEI programs,
· using DEI statements in hiring and promotion, and/or
· requiring employees to participate in DEI programs.