April 4th 2024.
In a recent development, the South Carolina House has passed a bill that could have a significant impact on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at public colleges and universities. This legislation has caused quite a stir, especially among Black lawmakers who feel that they were left out of the proposal draft.
The bill, which was met with much celebration from the Palmetto State GOPs, passed with a vote of 84-30 on Mar. 27. Interestingly, the vote was taken after restricting debate and preventing lawmakers from suggesting any changes. This has raised concerns among Black Democratic lawmakers, who see this move as a way to push forward anti-DEI efforts under the guise of fighting against a so-called "woke bogeyman." They believe that DEI is crucial in ensuring that schools cater to the needs of a diverse student population.
Republican Rep. Tim McGinnis, who sponsored the bill, stated that the goal was to treat everyone equally, regardless of their background or beliefs. However, this statement has been met with skepticism by Rep. Leon Howard, a lawmaker since 1995. He argues that this bill does not promote equality, but rather limits representation from the very people it claims to protect. "We had no Black people involved in crafting this legislation, so y'all don't know how we feel today," Howard expressed, adding, "We feel some kind of way about that. We feel offended about that."
The bill, in its current form, prohibits colleges from considering DEI factors when making decisions on student admissions or hiring. However, it fails to provide a solid definition of what constitutes DEI. While colleges can still have DEI programs, they are required to report to the General Assembly on the cost of each program and how any complaints against them were resolved.
Fortunately, the bill will not interfere with grant applications or accreditation, which often requires compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws. Despite this, Rep. Kambrell Garvin believes that the bill adds to the ongoing discussion about discrimination. "This bill stifles conversation," Garvin shared with ABC News 4. "To me, there's value in diversity, there's value in equity, there's value in inclusion. What this bill says is that the progress and strides we have made clearly upset many people who supported it."
Garvin, who is a lawyer and former educator, also highlighted how this law could create confusion for teachers and administrators. "What this bill does is it makes college professors and school boards all over our state uncertain about what is and what isn't acceptable," he explained. "If we have teachers who are teaching in fear that anything they say can be misconstrued, they will be less likely to teach subjects that need to be fully discussed. This doesn't benefit anyone; it's a disadvantage to our learning environments."
While Garvin believes that the legislation will do more harm than good, it still needs to go through the General Assembly's session. With only six weeks left, the bill is not a top priority, as two sessions will be focused on the state's $13.2 billion budget.
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