‘Needlessly divisive': Louisiana advances anti-DEI policy despite Black Caucus pushback
The Louisiana House of Representatives approved a bill Monday that would ban diversity, equity and inclusion practices across state government and prohibit state universities and colleges from requiring certain race and gender-based curriculum for undergraduate students.
House Bill 685 by Rep. Emily Chenevert, R-Baton Rouge, advanced from the House on a 57-32 vote, narrowly clearing the 53-vote threshold for passage. Sixteen members, including several moderate Democrats and Republicans, were absent for the vote.
In an unusual move, every Democratic lawmaker present stood together in solidarity behind the House floor lectern, while nearly every Black lawmaker took turns making speeches against the bill.
'To me, this is an anti-Black bill,' Rep. Edmond Jordan of Baton Rouge said. 'It's not just divisive. It's offensive.'
'This is the most racially oppressive piece of legislation that I think I've seen,' Rep. Candace Newell of New Orleans said.
Republican Reps. Beth Billings of Deshrehan, Vincent Cox of Gretna and Jeff Wiley of Maurepas joined Democrats in opposing the bill.
'It was needlessly divisive,' Billings said in an interview when asked why she opposed the bill.
In tearful comments after the speeches, Chenevert said her bill is not racist.
'This is not divisive,' Chenevert said. 'This is protecting every Louisianian. This is about equality for all.'
Chenevert's bill has been dramatically rewritten from her original legislation, which only banned DEI practices in state government.
As is, the bill would prohibit required classes that cover any of the following subjects:
Critical race theory
White fragility or white guilt
Systemic racism, institutional racism or anti-racism
Systemic bias or implicit bias
Intersectionality
Gender identity
Allyship
Race-based reparations
Race-based privilege
Amendments added to the bill on the House floor would allow any of the subjects to be taught if it is 'included at the discretion of the faculty member, is not prescribed by the institution as a program requirement, and is part of a broader pedagogical objective.'
Opponents of the bill said even with the amendments, the legislation could have a chilling effect on faculty's academic freedom and freedom of speech.
The bill also makes an exception for majors, minors and certificates that are specifically related to race or gender studies.
The Louisiana chapter of the American Association of University Professors sent a letter to lawmakers Monday asking them to oppose the bill.
'This legislation would stifle the 'marketplace of ideas' and infantilize our students, forcing faculty to avoid concepts the legislature dislikes and presenting only those that have gained their favor,' the letter reads. 'This is antithetical to freedom in a democratic society and hurts our students as they transition into fully enfranchised citizens.'
The Southern University Foundation, which is affiliated with Louisiana's largest historically Black university, also opposes the bill.
Chenevert's bill will next be discussed in a Senate committee.
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