NC House to take up DEI education bills

RALEIGH, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – North Carolina State Representatives are scheduled to discuss two bills aimed at phasing out diversity, equity and inclusion measures in K-12 education, public community colleges and universities Wednesday.

House Rules Committee members passed Senate Bill 227, “Eliminating DEI in Public Education,” and Senate Bill 558, “Eliminating DEI in Public Higher Ed.”

The bills ban school officials from endorsing “discriminatory practices” and teaching “divisive concepts” in the classroom.

The legislation defines “divisive concepts” as claiming individuals are inherently racist or oppressive because of their race or sex, or that people of a certain race or sex bear responsibility for past actions of their race or sex.

State Rep. Amos Quick III (D-Guilford) spoke against the bill, saying it falsely claims “DEI programs promote a worldview” which encourages students to judge others by their race or sex.

“Nothing could be further from the truth. Diversity is in the DNA of the United States of America. Inclusion is in the DNA of the United States of America.”

He said laws protecting civil rights, labor standards, access to voting, women’s rights, and disability rights all once stemmed from the concepts of DEI.

State Rep. David Willis (R-Union) said the bill would ensure the state’s education facilities continue receiving federal funding by aligning with the current administration’s policies.

The legislation passed the Senate in the Spring along party lines.