The question of whether diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives prevent or constitute discrimination was argued by Indiana lawmakers and numerous people for four hours on Wednesday, with tempers running high throughout.
Senate Bill 235 defines DEI as any attempt by state agencies to influence staff composition, advocate differential treatment, create associated policies or training, or take official positions that incorporate terminology from a list of 15 prohibited phrases. DEI is defined as dealing with race, ethnicity, or sex.
In addition to allowing Indiana’s attorney general to file a lawsuit for infractions, it would prohibit agencies from providing financing to DEI offices or staff and from awarding contracts or grants to organizations that need DEI training.
In her testimony, Heather Akou, a professor of fashion design at Indiana University who represents the University Alliance for Racial Justice, said the list restricts free expression and called on lawmakers to remove it.
Certain phrases, such as “allyship,” which she defined as “looking out for the rights and needs of a group you do not personally belong to,” have harmless interpretations, she added.
Intersectionality, disparate effect, and social justice are other terms.
The law also targets higher education by outlawing the use of consultants, DEI offices, staff, and internal audits. For each infraction, the attorney general may file a lawsuit for up to $250,000.
Although author Sen. Tyler Johnson, R-Leo, acknowledged that the text needed improvement, the proposal includes provisions for health education, requiring letter grades, prohibiting pass-fail marking in compulsory courses, and adding state oversight to academic standards.
Additionally, DEI may not be used in license requirements or judgments by boards that oversee health profession licensing.
The director of the dialysis unit and professor at the IU Medicine School, Dr. Allon Friedman, said DEI has caused “enormous” harm to the medical community and ought to be “expunged.”
According to him, the principles undercut greatness in favor of mediocrity, promote a “hostile mindset and grievance-based mentality,” and dehumanize patients by treating them as “belonging either to an oppressor or oppressed class.”
The Senate Judiciary Committee eliminated wording permitting citizens to suit prior to testifying.
Along party lines, the panel voted 8–2 to move the proposal. After that, it will be brought to the Senate floor for additional amendments.
Senate Bill 289, which cracks down on DEI in K–12 schools, also attracted a lot of witnesses.
It would prohibit schools, local governments, and state agencies from propagating “stereotypes” and mandate that they display relevant curriculum and training materials.
Additionally, it would prohibit them from using public monies to hire DEI trainers or consultants or requiring staff and students to follow DEI principles.
A number of opponents recalled the time a century ago when the Statehouse in Indiana was dominated by the white nationalist Ku Klux Klan.
According to Jerell Blakeley, who spoke on behalf of the Indiana State Teachers Association, DEI was implemented following civil rights legislation. “Hallmark principles to ensure that our country did not revert into policies that led to terrible things,” he exclaimed.
The conservative Pacific Legal Foundation’s legal policy manager, Kileen Lindgren, retorted that the law promotes openness and prohibits discrimination.
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Sen. Sue Glick, a Republican from LaGrange, joined Democrats in opposing the bill, which was passed by a vote of 7-3.
After more than an hour of discussion, the committee also advanced legislation that would make it simpler for property owners to get squatters off their lands.
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Advocates claimed that it is too difficult for property owners to restore control of their properties and that the court system applies landlord-tenant law to detrimental effect.
Opponents proposed alternate legal procedures because they were concerned that abusive landlords may utilize Senate Bill 157’s provisions to evict tenants who had unwritten or informal living agreements.
By a vote of 8 to 2, it moved.
