Alabama Senate approves bill targeting college diversity efforts

The Alabama Senate has approved a bill to prohibit universities, schools and public entities from maintaining diversity and inclusion offices or funding initiatives that teach what some call “divisive concepts.”

The multi-pronged proposal is one of dozens of bills introduced across the country that would restrict initiatives on diversity, equity and inclusion, also known as DEI.

Opponents say DEI programs are discriminatory and promote left-wing ideology. Supporters say the programs are necessary for ensuring institutions meet the needs of increasingly diverse student populations.

Alabama state senators approved the bill Thursday on a 26-7 vote that broke down along party lines, with Republicans supporting it and Democrats opposed. The approval came after six hours of debate and attempts — some successful, and some not — to amend the proposal. It now moves to the Alabama House of Representatives.

Sen. Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road), the sponsor of the bill, said the bill is aimed at “removing wedges.”

It gives a list of divisive concepts, including that “any individual should accept, acknowledge, affirm, or assent to a sense of guilt, complicity, or a need to apologize on the basis of his or her race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin.”

The proposed legislation said schools could not fund initiatives that teach those concepts or require students and employees to attend “any training, orientation, or course work that advocates for or requires assent to a divisive concept, require students as part of any required curriculum or mandatory professional training.”

“This bill is an attempt to pull the divisive languages out of schools, out of the classrooms to teach history accurately, fairly so that everybody can be recognized regardless of color of skin, sex (or) national origin,” Barfoot said.

Senate Democrats and others said the bill would hurt the state’s effort to recruit businesses.

Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro), said Republicans are pushing the bill as an “agenda piece” and would send the message that Alabama doesn’t welcome diversity.

“I could see a doctor who is being recruited to UAB … you don’t want diversity and inclusion so therefore I don’t want to come to your state,” Singleton said.

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