On Wednesday, the Alabama Senate Committee on County and City Governments voted to give the bill a favorable report. it would be prohibited Prohibits state agencies, public schools, and universities from introducing or promoting “divisive concepts” such as critical race theory. It would also prohibit public agencies from maintaining a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) office or department.

SB129 is sponsored by State Sen. Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road) and signed by a total of 25 Alabama senators.

Section 1 of the bill “defines nine different and divisive concepts,” Barfoot explained.

“Section 2 contains prohibitions. These prohibitions are that the sponsor may not maintain an administrative office for the DEI program as stated in the DEI program definition. Directing or coercing a business to affirm, adopt, or adhere to any clearly defined divisive concept; divisive to any state agency, local school board, or public agency; Requiring participation in DEI programs, trainings, events, and exercises that defend or seek agreement on concepts; Requiring students, employees, and contractors to share their personal opinions on divisive concepts; Requiring a student, employer, or contractor to participate in lobbying for legislation related to divisive concepts. Requiring a student, employer, or contractor to lobby for legislation related to divisive concepts. penalize or discriminate against any person, employer, or contractor; support one of these opposing concepts, penalize or discriminate against them; authorizing the expenditure of federal funds or applying for federal or private funds.”

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“Section 4 states that nothing in this law prohibits or prevents students, faculty, organizations, or associations from hosting DEI programs or discussions that may include divisive concepts, unless state funds are used. “It's not a thing,” Barfoot continued. “Also, nothing in this law shall prevent an employee or contractor of a state agency, local board of education, or public institution of higher education from answering questions as part of his or her duties, orientation course work, or training. Issues related to conflicting concepts have been raised.Therefore, there is no need to preclude discussion of these conflicting concepts if it is part of the job or requirements. “For that matter, there is nothing in this law that prevents us from teaching the subject of historical events in a historically accurate context. I have said this many times before,” said Senate President Barfoot. the lawmaker said.

“My mother was a history teacher. This does not prohibit us from teaching history in any form or manner, and I don't think we do a very good job.” he added.

A lengthy public hearing followed. Jerome Dees, policy director for the Southern Poverty Law Center, spoke out against the bill.

“When we teach about the history of what happened in America and Alabama in the 1700s and 1800s, we also have to teach how the history of what happened influences policy,” Dees said. .

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“History is a very messy subject,” said Dr. Tilford Earle, a former history professor and author. “I think this bill is necessary to move universities away from ideologically motivated history.” he said. There are no ideologies in history. But we can learn a lot by pointing out ideologies in history. ”

“I think this bill is as fair as it can be,” Earle said. “I support this bill because it tries to move us away from an ideological perspective on history.”

Camille Bennett is the founder and executive director of Project Say Something.

“We are seeing bills that could wipe out state-funded DEI and censor Black history,” Bennett said. “How do predominantly white male groups define divisive concepts? Does this definition include marginalized communities? SB129 explains why DEI is divisive. Would you choose not to? We still don't know why. You shared with us some concepts that you came up with yourself.”

Retired Air Force Colonel John Ismoe is senior legal counsel at the Moral Law Foundation.

“This bill fully protects academic freedom,” Eismoh said. “What we are concerned about is the indoctrination of certain ideologies, dividing people into identity groups rather than measuring them by their individual worth, teaching them to be ashamed of their race and ancestry, teaching them hatred for their ancestors. Ideology. That's what we're trying to prevent here.”

After much discussion, the Committee resolved to give SB129 a favorable report. It could be voted on in the Senate as soon as Thursday. In response to consideration of the bill, Senate Democrats stalled consideration of all bills in Congress for the past two legislative days.

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