A Senate committee on Wednesday approved passage of a bill that would ban diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives from certain public entities in Alabama.

The bill, SB129, is sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road. The law states that public higher education institutions, state agencies, and local boards of education are prohibited from promoting or being involved in his DEI programs. The bill also includes provisions prohibiting what are defined as “divisive concepts” from being promoted in these public bodies.

Public sector employees or contractors who violate these prohibitions may be subject to disciplinary action or termination.

“This bill would require certain public entities, including state agencies, local boards of education, and public institutions of higher education, to maintain diversity, equity, and inclusion offices and departments, , prohibits programs or sponsorship of inclusive programs that support divisive concepts,” the bill reads.

The bill represents another attempt to enact measures against DEI and “divisive concepts” that have failed in the past few years in the Alabama Legislature. Criticism of the bill continues, saying it seeks to stop a history of “divisive concepts” and limit conversations about diversity and inclusion needed to promote better understanding of people from different backgrounds. Many people claim that.

A public hearing was held during the committee meeting, and several people spoke in favor of or against the bill.

Becky Gerritson, director of the Eagle Forum, supported the bill, saying the concept is dehumanizing because it seeks to define people based on immutable characteristics like race.

Jerome Dees, policy director at the Southern Poverty Law Center, said the bill could be interpreted as “divisive” on certain topics, including race, and would undermine teachers' ability to discuss them appropriately. He said it could be a hindrance.

The “concept of division” is defined by law as follows:

• A. That race, color, religion, gender, ethnicity, and nationality are inherently superior or inferior.
• B. Individuals should not be discriminated against or treated less favorably because of their race, color, religion, ethnicity, or national origin.
• C. that an individual's moral character is determined by his or her race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin. Because of a person's race, color, religion, gender, ethnicity, or national origin, that person is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or subconsciously. That is.
• D. Individuals, by virtue of their race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin, may be subject to acts committed in the past by other members of the same race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin. be essentially responsible for
• E. That fault, disparagement, or prejudice is based on race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin; should be assigned to.
• F. No individual is required to accept, acknowledge, affirm, or consent to guilt, complicity, or the need for an apology on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, ethnicity, or national origin. That there is.
• G. Characteristics such as meritocracy and hard work ethics are racist or sexist.
• H. That slavery and racism are consistent with the founding principles of the United States.

All Democratic committee members opposed the bill and said they were confused and saddened by the bill.

Sen. Kirk Hatcher, D-Montgomery, made emotional comments about the bill and his mother's apology for “not getting the job done.” Hatcher also pointed out that all of the people who spoke out against the idea were white or “non-melanin people.”

“I'm focused on the people who came together to support this bill,” he said. “You are all people without melanin.”

Sen. Merica Coleman (D-Montgomery) cited several instances of offensive language and behavior by her Republican colleagues. Coleman said Gov. Bob Riley is “speaking out loud” but understands that it could be interpreted as offensive due to the racist idea that black people can't speak proper English. I talked about what I said I didn't do.

Coleman said this example shows the importance of DEI training.

The bill goes to the Senate floor and could be passed by the House.