News

On Monday, May 15, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law a bill targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts and restricting how race and gender can be taught in the state’s public colleges and universities, banning them from using state or federal funds for diversity initiatives, including “niche” subjects like critical race theory and “DEI-infused” coursework. In a news conference that day, DeSantis characterized DEI programs as “experiments” that “stand for discrimination, exclusion and indoctrination.” Similar legislation is currently being explored in Texas. 

DeSantis’s latest attack builds on the Stop-WOKE Act he is pushing, which aims to restrict how lessons on race and gender can be taught. These policies are coming out of a growing effort on the part of lawmakers all over the country to uphold the systems that have harmed people of color and people with marginalized gender identities for centuries, rolling back the clock on efforts to build more inclusive institutions and policies where everyone has the resources and support they need to succeed. This is harmful to everyone. 

Characterizing DEI work as “woke” rhetoric spreads a damaging message that compromises DEI work all over the country. The results can be disastrous in many industries, undoing the work being done to protect marginalized identities and promote diversity and inclusion in every workplace, school, and institution. Here in Boston, we are seeing some organizations deprioritize or strip down their DEI efforts and budgets, signaling a chilling trend that will only get worse as calls to eliminate DEI initiatives grow louder. 

To effectively combat dangerous rhetoric and false narratives, it is imperative that businesses, organizations, and institutions continue to prioritize DEI programs and do the work needed to counter efforts to uphold the systems that allow racism and oppression to continue unchecked. As an organization devoted to eliminating racism and empowering women, our unwavering commitment is to work with individuals and organizations invested in changing policies, practices, attitudes, and behaviors that harm women and people of color, and especially women of color. We refuse to be silenced or deterred, and we stand in solidarity with the students and educators of Florida who are courageously fighting for their right to learn in safe and inclusive environments.  

Want to take action against the harmful and dangerous rhetoric emerging about DEI work across the country? Consider inviting colleagues, family, and friends who haven’t previously engaged in DEI work to join you at local DEI-focused events, including our Elevating Lives event this October. And, if you don’t know what your organization is doing to advance DEI internally, be sure to ask, raise your hand to help, and introduce YW Boston as an organization that can help create unique solutions to a variety of DEI challenges.