(Columbia, SC) – The South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus (SCLBC) stands firmly against H.4289, proposed legislation aimed at stripping Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) language within public institutions of higher learning.
If enacted, the proposed legislation would have far-reaching and detrimental consequences for South Carolina’s public universities and colleges, such as threatening the principles of academic freedom, free speech, and equal opportunity within our state’s educational institutions.
This bill undermines the effort to address systemic disparities, the promotion of social justice, and the creation of an inclusive learning environment for students, faculty, and staff of all races, religions, and ethnic backgrounds.
“This is a direct attack on the fundamental values of diversity, equity, and inclusion that are essential for the advancement of higher education in our state,” SCLBC Chairman Rep. Ivory Thigpen said. “By censoring DEI language, we risk stifling critical dialogue. This will perpetuate existing disparities, inequalities within our educational system.”
The SCLBC calls on lawmakers to reject this harmful legislation and prioritize policies that support academic freedom, free speech, and equal opportunity in higher education.
Rep. Jermaine Johnson said, “Diversity in our institutions of higher learning is a necessity and any attacks against it are detrimental to the progress of South Carolina.”
We urge all stakeholders, including students, faculty, administrators, and community leaders, to join us in opposing this legislation and advocating for policies that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in our state’s educational institutions.
