We saw DEI positions eliminated at The University of Florida a few weeks ago and now DEI is poised to make an exit in Alabama.

According to this from CNN, Alabama lawmakers passed a bill yesterday that, if signed into law, would prohibit public schools and universities from maintaining or funding diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

The bill, SB129, would also require public universities to ‘designate restrooms on the basis of biological sex’ — which Alabama law defines as ‘the physical condition of being male or female, as stated on the individual’s original birth certificate’ — and not the gender that aligns with how a person identifies.”-Shirin Faqiri, CNN

Yes, please.

Stuff like this is why Alabama continues to be one of the poorest states, and why they're ranked near the bottom in everything 🙄

— RidinWithSkittles (@RidinSkittles) March 19, 2024

A “poor” state because a law might require a delusional biological MAN who only thinks he’s a woman to use the men’s restroom and a men’s locker room because HE still has the ol’ man plumbing? Yes, this law would certainly force the state of Alabama into the abyss of poverty!

C’mon, MAN!

But CNN’s gonna CNN, stating SB129 “comes amid a nationwide push from conservative lawmakers to limit the rights of transgender and LGBTQ individuals.”

While limiting the rights of biological women who don’t want MEN in their restrooms or their locker rooms because it is uncomfortable and awkward as hell?! I know, I am sounding like quite the TERF right now. JK Rowling and I can be drinking buddies.

Great news for all the slavery deniers out there.

— bob (@bob38305676) March 19, 2024

Again, we’re talking about publicly funded entities like public schools and universities. We’re talking about racially-divisive curriculum and initiatives that call attention to race, gender identity and nationality in a manner to stir up conflict when conflict was not there in the first place. We’re talking about bathrooms. We’re not talking about segregated water fountains, although Black “affinity” (AKA segregated) housing happens to be a thing in the world of DEI. A pity true racists don’t even see how damn racist that is.

The legislation would prohibit local public school boards and universities from maintaining an office or department that promotes DEI. It would also bar students, employees, and contractors from being required to attend any DEI “training, orientation, or course work that advocates or requires assent to a divisive concept.”-Shirin Faqiri, CNN

What is really so bad about this? Public schools have been running into lower enrollment numbers because of these programs. Sure, they’ll blame it all on COVID (which is partially true) but what they won’t tell you about is the money spent on DEI initiatives during COVID while these kids were locked up in their homes and glued to ZOOM meetings. They won’t tell you about how book studies on “White Fragility” were actual offerings in teacher “professional development” catalogs. Now, because of these lower enrollment numbers, schools are facing budget shortfalls, with very intact and active DEI offices and departments. Curious, I think…

Why are Republicans intent on taking the Country backwards.

— Fernando de la Riva (@FdelaRiva89) March 19, 2024

Meh. Our country went backwards when our kids forgot how to read and woke up one morning bound and determined that they were the opposite sex of the one they were when they were born. Our country went backwards when we shut everything down. Our country went backwards when Joe Biden got elected and it’s continuing on the backwards trend.

This bill is intended to have a chilling effect on discourse regarding race, class, sexuality, and national origin, and seeks to characterize these discussions and accurate teachings, assignments, and trainings that also supplement them as ‘divisive’”-The ACLU of Alabama

No, ACLU. Some of these teachings, assignments and trainings are divisive.

(The Bill) It would also bar students, employees, and contractors from being required to attend any DEI training, orientation, or course work that advocates or requires assent to a divisive concept.”-Shirin Faqiri, CNN

The ACLU says it’s chilling. Chilling that a woman should feel comfortable in a restroom designated for her and other biological women? Chilling that a child may actually learn to math in a classroom. Chilling that a teacher needs to actually teach something instead of sitting at their desk browsing woke ideas on how to be an “ally” on Pinterest on a LGBTQ+ “Day of Silence“. Actually, the bill is not calling for a stop to all discourse. Discourse is still encouraged. The bill is just proposing the state not shell out any more money and stick to the basics of education and simple, human anatomy. We’re still free to think as we please, say what we please. This is still America, thank God for that.

SB129 now heads to Alabama Governor Kay Ivey’s desk, where it is expected to be signed into law which would go into effect on October 1, 2024.

There may be hope yet.

Photo Credit: Carol M. Highsmith, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons