Image: Adobe Stock
Of all the recent crazy developments in the world of law and policymaking, the ongoing scheme to convince millions of people that commonsense ideas like diversity, equity and inclusion should be feared and eradicated is among the most troubling.
The result has been a parade of new policies that will not just halt our painfully slow progress in overcoming centuries of systemic discrimination, but take us backward.
A North Carolina Senate bill attacking DEI in our public schools is typical.
Not only does the bill adopt the opinions of some far-right commentators as quote “legislative findings,” it would enact several vague new prohibitions that will undoubtedly stifle learning and discussion.
For instance, the bill bans instruction in a dozen quote “divisive concepts” — many of which are defined in incredibly ambiguous terms.
The bottom line: Vague prohibitions of this kind will incentivize teachers to steer clear altogether of lessons and discussions that challenge and enlighten students and move our society forward. We will suffer as a result.
For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield.