February 6th 2024.
Utah's Republican governor, Spencer Cox, has recently faced criticism for making contradictory decisions within the same week. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, he received backlash for both banning diversity, equity, and inclusion incentives and celebrating Black History Month.
His decision to sign HB261 into law on January 30th has sparked controversy. This law requires public schools to remove all references to diversity from their offices and open programming to all students, regardless of race. For example, Black cultural centers, which were previously found in many K-12 schools and colleges, will now be forced to serve white students. This move is seen as a major setback, especially since Cox had previously signed the Utah Compact on Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, which aimed to foster inclusive cultures and address social injustice and inequality.
Just two days after signing the law, Cox took to Twitter to celebrate Black History Month. He wrote, "February is #BlackHistoryMonth, and we honor the resilience, courage, and contributions African Americans have made to our state and nation. We celebrate Black communities and remain committed to improving access to opportunity." However, his tweet did not sit well with many people on social media. One user, @1Eyed_ShihTzu, questioned how Cox had the "nerve" to post this after his recent decision.
Another user, @pnwkww, called out the governor for his contradictory actions. They wrote, "Crazy how you're saying this days after signing a bill that will actively hurt Black students in Utah. All we can count on you for is saying nice things while doing nothing to support the little statements you make, if not do the opposite." Even state officials, like Senator Nate Blouin, joined in solidarity with the opposing tweeters, emphasizing that actions speak louder than words.
Cox has been vocal about his opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, calling them "awful" and "bordering on evil." He has also expressed concerns about DEI policies and practices, particularly in regards to hiring. According to NPR, Cox stated, "We've been concerned about some DEI programs and policies, particularly with hiring practices, and this bill offers a balanced solution." However, his views seem to fluctuate, as seen in his support for transgender athletes in 2022 when he vetoed a ban on transgender students participating in girls' sports. Yet, he later supported a bill that placed restrictions on discussions of race and religion in public school classrooms, banning the teaching that anyone can be racist solely based on their race.
Despite Cox's attempts to explain and justify his decisions, social media users continue to criticize his actions, particularly in light of his statement about Black History Month. This controversy has sparked a larger conversation about the importance of not just making statements, but also taking meaningful actions to support diversity, equity, and inclusion. As the post on Black Enterprise states, "Actions speak louder than words."
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