In the third legislative session since passing Alabama's divisive concepts bill in 2023, lawmakers and universities alike are still working toward the goal of ending radical ideology and discriminatory practices, including those masked under programs to promote "diversity, equity, and inclusion" that have been commonplace on campuses nationwide.
In the days following the latest story in 1819 News' continued reporting on so-called woke ideology hiding in plain sight in higher education, at least two influential lawmakers have publicly spoken out to address ongoing violations and challenges and to praise university leadership working to address them.
During a discussion on Friday morning's episode of WVNN's "The Dale Jackson Show," State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) was asked about some of the training sessions being offered during a University of Alabama School of Social Work-sponsored event.
"Well, I know that President Mohler has said that he will comply with the law," Orr started. Mohler has publicly worked to follow not only Alabama's divisive concept law but also federal guidance to ensure that students on campus have a truly diverse environment that complies with the law.
"If this is something that now has bubbled up to the surface, that still hasn't been dealt with and needs to be dealt with, and I don't know enough about it to say whether it does or doesn't, but we certainly will engage, and the timing is good to do that since we'll be going into session, and I would assume that program will be getting a lot of scrutiny, and if it doesn't pass the mustered and doesn't comply with the law, then there'll be consequences."
During a legislative panel discussion hosted by the Mid Alabama Republican Club (MARC) in Vestavia Hills on Saturday, Orr's counterpart in the House, State Rep. Danny Garrett (R-Trussville), fielded a similar question by former State Rep. Paul DeMarco, the event's moderator.
DeMarco, a graduate of Auburn and the University of Alabama, asked, "Are they following the law that was passed regarding what is what legal in the State of Alabama?"
"I think we're on the right path, the right trajectory. Things don't always come through as quickly as we'd like sometimes, but we're very serious about how we run, we have language in the budget now, that basically gives us a hook if people are not complying with DEI laws, and we're serious about it," Garrett said. "But I'm confident that the University Presidents, the ones I talk to, understand where the legislature is. I would say 95% of those presidents actually agree with what we're doing, and they've welcomed the support."
Garrett referenced the ongoing threat of lawsuits stemming from the law and from universities taking swift action against those who violate it, but says he's optimistic.
"So we're making progress. I think we'll see better progress. I think we'll see better partners. Certainly, the change in Washington in administration has been very helpful. So I think we're moving in the right direction."
The last legislative session of the quadrenium begins January 13.
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