For the past two sessions, state Rep. Ed Oliver (R-Dadeville) has proposed legislation that would prohibit state groups from promoting certain “divisive concepts.”
This year, that bill, SB129, was introduced in the Senate with Sen. Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road) and would shift focus to prohibiting public funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
The law would prohibit teachers and other employees from “affirming and subjecting” others to a list of divisive concepts. “Divisive concepts” include “an individual’s race, color, religion, gender, ethnicity, or national origin that makes him or her inherently racist, whether consciously or subconsciously.” , sexist, or oppressive.”
The bill also prohibits government agencies from requiring employees to participate in DEI programs.
After swiftly passing the Senate last week, Oliver gave the bill a third scalpel in a House committee Tuesday, saying he hopes it will be unified.
“Do you really believe this bill will unite us?” asked state Rep. Kelvin Lawrence, D-Lounds.
“Of course,” Oliver said. “It's in contrast to the programs you see in institutions that teach children in early childhood about differences.”
“Tell me why you don't think so,” Lawrence replied. “We just had a public hearing here today, and not a single minority spoke in favor of this bill. But do you think this bill will unite us?”
Five speakers from both sides attended the hearing. Speakers who spoke in favor of the bill included two former university history professors, leaders of Eagle Forum and Moms for Liberty, and leaders of the University of Alabama Republican Federation.
Several students spoke out against the bill, including two Black students and one LGBTQ student.
Patrick Harmon, a former University of Alabama professor, said UA is asking retired professors to speak out against DEI on their behalf because they fear repercussions, saying “faculty are scared.” .
“They're scared of this Marxist approach,” Harmon said. “Another faculty member told me that DEI is having a devastating impact on academic freedom and debate at the University of Alabama.”
Harmon is accused of telling students not to bring “Christian junk” into the classroom, and that a STEM professor had Harmon lose his tenure after he left a pro-life pencil on his desk. He also mentioned allegations such as that he had told the police that he would be arrested.
“She said that if this was seen on my desk at the University of Alabama, I would be considered anti-women and therefore anti-diversity,” Harmon said.
Retired professor Earl Tilford said DEI programs are “politicizing tenure.”
“Tenure typically depends on pedagogy, research in the appropriate field, and service to the university,” Tilford said. “This politicizes the tenure process. You need to comply and be evaluated on your contributions to DEI.”
Everwood, an out-of-state UA student and gay woman, told lawmakers that if the bill passes, she and likely many other out-of-state students will leave the university.
She said the DEI program saved her from a relationship she didn't think would have survived.
“They taught me that I have self-worth as a human being, no matter how I identify, no matter who I love,” Everwood said. Ta. “And because they taught me how to set healthy boundaries, I was able to get out of that relationship.”
UAB Professor Dr. Morissa Radinsky said DEI programs are not created by universities, but rather are based on corporate expectations.
“This intentional, institutionalized DEI drives excellence,” Ladinsky said. “Companies that focus on DEI initiatives outperform their competitors by 36% on high profitability metrics.”
