Last year, Alabama’s ban on "divisive concepts" and DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) went into effect. One purpose of the bill is to protect students from coursework that advocates for or requires assent to a divisive concept.
Magic City Acceptance Academy, a state-funded Charter School for LGBTQ+ youth and their "allies" located in Homewood, is putting the state’s DEI ban and Alabama lawmakers' commitments to ending it to the test.
President Donald Trump issued an executive order banning DEI offices and federal agencies on the first day of his second term. Two days later the Federal Department of Education issued a statement detailing the initial steps it had taken to implement Trump's order saying, "They are the first step in reorienting the agency toward prioritizing meaningful learning ahead of divisive ideology in our schools."
The statement continued, saying that the agency has suspended DEI employees and was reviewing all guidance as it "works to end discrimination based on race and the use of harmful race stereotypes, both within the agency and throughout America’s education system." The same discrimination that is being promoted to students in grades 6-12 in Central Alabama.
Magic City Acceptance Academy's " Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement " commitment is included on page four of their 2024-2025 “Student and Parent Handbook,” which was dated after the law was passed and just months before it went into effect. The school website notes that the online version was “Updated October 2024,” but the school confirmed via phone this week that the online manual is the most current.
The DEI statement reads, “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement The Magic City Acceptance Academy (MCAA) works to foster a community of respect, dignity, and inclusion, for students, staff, and faculty of all backgrounds. We define a diverse population to include a wide range of racial, ethnic, sexual, and gender identities; economic and geographic backgrounds; physical abilities; life, school, and career experiences; and political, religious, and personal beliefs. Our goal for our students is to gain an understanding and appreciation of differences and similarities. We challenge students to reflect, through social and educational experiences, how their behaviors impact others in our community, including those with different perspectives, identities, and backgrounds. MCAA welcomes allyship as a lifelong journey.”
According to the schools 2024 planned budget the school gets over $4,300,000 from the state and just under $271,000 federal government.
As reported by 1819 News, last month the school hosted author Ariel Aberg-Riger for a 2-day workshop for their students. In "American Redux," Aberg-Riger states that “Today, the struggle to control the historical narrative continues,” going on to say, “Some lawmakers are even seeking legislation to remove entire words and concepts from classrooms, such as ‘equity,’ ‘anti-racism,’ and ‘oppressor vs. oppressed.”
The book’s publisher notes: "At a time when books that challenge whitewashed history are coming under fire from censors, this is a vitally important work that dares to tell the truth."
Apryl Marie Fogel is a Birmingham resident who frequently appears on and guest hosts radio programs around the state. She can be reached at aprylmarie.fogel@1819news.com or on X and Facebook at @aprylmarie.
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