How (and Why) Florida and Texas Governors are Erasing Black History from Schools
By Rose Carlson and Dr. Benjamin M. Drury
Last week Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill into law that prohibits diversity, equity, and inclusion offices at public colleges in the state. This move follows in the footsteps of Florida, making Texas the second state to enact such a ban. Legislation such as those now limiting the access of racialized and minoritized students to resources that have been empirically shown to demonstrably improve the educational experience for them in Florida now restrict the ability of colleges to create and maintain offices dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion on their campuses. Legislation such as this is a significant setback for fostering a more inclusive and equitable educational environment.
Laws like those now in Texas and Florida prohibit the establishment of diversity, equity, and inclusion offices but also restricts the hiring or contracting of individuals to perform the duties of such offices. It goes further by prohibiting the requirement or solicitation of diversity, equity, and inclusion statements, as well as any preferential treatment based on providing such statements. In Texas specifically, the law prohibits public universities from giving preference in employment or college functions based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or…
