DEI culture war is blazing in the Statehouse
The DEI culture war is blazing in the Statehouse. The supermajority in the Indiana Senate approved a bill to ban diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in state government and public schools*. As Indiana Public Media reports, "Proponents said SB 289 will ensure government treats everyone equally. Critics said it’s designed to instill fear and will undo generations of progress."
Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith, presiding over the Senate, infuriated Democrats by declaring victory before the vote.
*A committee vote was delayed on Senate Bill 257, authored by GOP Sen. Spencer Deery. He said he is "concerned about statistics showing that young people have adopted a grim view of U.S. history. 'Teachers shouldn’t be encouraging those pessimistic views.'"
Indiana Senate approves bill to ban diversity, equity and inclusion in state government, schools
Sen. Gary Byrne (R-Byrneville), the author of the anti-DEI bill, said repeatedly his legislation was about "transparency and ending discrimination" during floor debate in the Senate on Feb. 6, 2025. (Brandon Smith)
By Brandon Smith
Posted Feb. 7, 2025