Mississippi’s House Republican lawmakers have proposed a significant piece of legislation that aims to dismantle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs throughout all public educational institutions in the state. This legislation seeks to ban certain educational concepts from being taught and establish strict definitions of gender in public schools, from K-12 institutions to community colleges and universities. The bill has provisions to withhold state funding based on complaints made by anyone, which raises concerns about accountability and possible legal actions against school systems accused of non-compliance.
The proposed bill has sparked intense opposition from House Democrats, predominantly composed of Black lawmakers, in a state known for having the highest percentage of Black residents in the nation. Representative Jeffery Harness expressed that House Bill 1193 represents more than just another legislative proposal; it is perceived as an assault on the efforts made by African Americans, minorities, women, and marginalized groups throughout history. He criticized the bill as a cowardly attempt to alter historical narratives, dismiss the existence of racism, and perpetuate existing privileges for those historically in power.
Sponsored by Representative Joey Hood, the bill received a vote of 74-41 in the House. It aims to eliminate diversity training initiatives designed to enhance understanding of social issues such as race, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Furthermore, the legislation prohibits school officials from requiring job applicants to disclose their beliefs related to DEI during the hiring process. Hood argued that this proposal is necessary to ensure that employability and student participation are assessed strictly on merit, void of personal beliefs regarding DEI.
Beyond hiring practices, the legislation also restricts classroom teachings. It would prevent universities from offering courses that encompass “divisive concepts,” including topics like gender theory and transgender ideology. Although schools wouldn’t be allowed to “promote” these ideas, the law mandates them to endorse a binary definition of gender.
The bill was revised in committee to mandate that all public schools must convey and support the notion that there are only two genders, mirroring a prior executive order from a former president that defined sex strictly as male or female. Should the bill be enacted, any public or state-recognized nonpublic school receiving more than two complaints related to violations of this law could risk losing state funding.
Critics of DEI programs, mainly from conservative circles, argue these initiatives create unnecessary divisions and foster ideologies contrary to their beliefs. They assert that DEI initiatives can exacerbate issues such as antisemitism while pushing a leftist agenda in educational environments. Conversely, proponents assert that DEI programs are essential in preventing discrimination against women and minorities, advocating that such initiatives are vital for addressing the needs of a diverse student body.
Hood maintains that there are sufficient federal protections against discrimination for minorities already in place. However, Democrats assert that the proposed legislation could deter student-athletes from choosing Mississippi’s universities and could infringe upon free speech. They contend that this bill wouldn’t eliminate bias in college admission processes or hiring practices.
Representative Omeria Scott attempted to introduce an amendment to prohibit “legacy admissions,” which prioritize applicants with familial connections to alumni, but this amendment was rejected. Representative Willie Bailey voiced strong opposition to the bill by highlighting that it would even impede the teaching of the Bible, which addresses themes of diversity and inclusion.
The bill is now set to move to the Senate, where lawmakers are anticipated to consider their own restrictive DEI proposals.
