West Virginia senators passed a bill characterized as banning diversity, equity and inclusion practices in state government, saying society has reached the point that programs to alleviate racism and sexism are not necessary any more.
The bill passed 32-2 and now goes to the House of Delegates.
“This bill puts to bed racism and many other evils,” said Senator Tom Willis, R-Berkeley.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey has called for ending DEI initiatives across state government. The acronym stands for diversity, equity and inclusion. It’s a set of policies in business, government and academia aimed at creating a more inclusive and equitable environment.
Social conservatives have taken aim at the policies as a kind of reverse discrimination.
Ninety-three percent of West Virginia’s population is White and almost 4% of residents are Black, according to the U.S. Census. About 2% of state residents are Hispanic.
Senator Joey Garcia, D-Marion, contended on the Senate floor that the societal problems that diversity, equity and inclusion programs are meant to address still exist.
“I do not think that racism is over. I do not think that sexism is a thing of the past,” said Garcia, one of the two Democrats who voted against the bill.
“I think these are things that we constantly need to remind ourselves. and there is still work to do. And I think this puts us a step back.”
Senate Bill 474, introduced at the request of the governor, includes the executive branch, primary and secondary schools, and higher education institutions.
At its core, the bill forbids hiring preferences based on race, ethnicity or sex. It also forbids compelled thought.
“This bill announces freedom from tyranny in the classroom,” Willis said.
Willis, a lawyer, invited people who feel like DEI policies are being imposed on them to call him or reach out via an email at a website he created, TomWillis@reportwoketeachers.com. “I just purchased this website this morning,” he said.
“This bill is about ending discrimination. This bill is about not being influenced by someone’s race, power, sex, ethnicity or national origin” in several aspects of public life, said Senator Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson.
More specifically, the bill restricts the imposition of certain concepts related to race and gender on students and employees, and prevents employees from being compelled to use preferred pronouns that do not align with a student’s biological sex at birth.
It forbids establishing or maintaining an office or division meant to promote diversity, equity and inclusion. And it prohibits directing an employee or contracted third party to promote diversity, equity and inclusion.
It would not allow requiring any person to provide a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement or give preferential consideration to any person based on the provision of a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement.
It would prohibit giving employment preference on the basis of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and it would disallow requiring as a condition of employment that an employee participate in diversity, equity, and inclusion training.
“We can actually do this. We can end diversity, equity and inclusion. We don’t need it anymore,” said Senator Scott Fuller, R-Wayne.
“I don’t know where this came from, this area that we are in a racist country, that we don’t give equality to women or to different religions or whatever case may be.”
Fuller continued, “DEI has caused more problems with racism and equity and inclusion than anything we could possibly come up with.”