Edward, a recent University of Georgia graduate, says his voice would have been stifled among his college peers if it weren’t for a diversity, equity, and inclusion program.
“Without the DEI programs, I feel like I never would have had a voice, or be in position to speak with you here today, because they helped me grow and exposed me to different viewpoints. I came from a predominantly Black high school. Transitioning to a (predominantly white institution), I was kind of afraid. I didn’t know if I would be able to express myself,” the 22-year-old advertising major told the Georgia Senate Higher Education Committee.
Edward enrolled in TRIO, a federally-funded program that helps students from disadvantaged backgrounds succeed in college. He said it provided resources and a sense of belonging. For a young Atlantan who attended Frederick Douglass High School, the program helped him earn his college degree.
“It helped get some leverage in a competitive environment. I’m first generation (college student), so I was taught how to navigate a number of things that were entirely new to me,” he said.
We joined Edward and a coalition of advocates on Thursday, Feb. 27, to oppose Senate Bill 120 — a huge threat to all Georgians’ First Amendment rights.
The bill would ban public schools and postsecondary institutions from supporting or maintaining anything that has to do with diversity, equity, and inclusion, aka DEI. Lawmakers are blatantly ignoring the fact that Georgia is one of the most diverse states and all communities contribute to our cultural wealth.
A judge has already blocked parts of President Trump’s recently-signed executive order ending DEI policies within the federal government, but the ruling hasn’t stopped lawmakers in numerous states from introducing similar laws.
The president’s orders also attack education policies by threatening funds that benefit racial minorities, which is forcing some schools and colleges to end their diversity programs or lose money. This hateful agenda would end decades of anti-discrimination policies that encourage diverse workplaces and schools.
We strongly oppose Senate Bill 120 because:
- It violates the U.S. and state constitutions and reverses educational opportunities for people long excluded from higher education.
- The bill unfairly targets places of learning and will harm diverse students and staff.
- Institutions that do not comply with the law will face legal action, chilling free speech.
“SB 120 is not just an attack on DEI — it is an attack on the constitutional rights of students, educators, and institutions of higher learning in Georgia,” said Christopher Bruce, ACLU of Georgia’s policy director.
The Senate committee did not vote on the bill following many testimonies against its passage. It will be debated again Monday.
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