Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has issued an executive order to
severely restrict inclusion, equity, and diversity (IE&D)
programs across the state. The order requires all state agencies
and public colleges to report how much money they spend on IE&D
programs and review the necessity and efficiency of all such
programs to eliminate them and dismiss non-critical personnel. The
governor's stated goal is to save Oklahoman tax dollars,
encourage "equal opportunity" rather than promise
"equal outcomes," and "take politics out of
education."
Furthermore, the new law prohibits using state funds, property,
or resources to grant or support IE&D positions, programs, or
activities to the extent that they give preferential treatment
based on one race, color, ethnicity, or national origin. The order
also bans any mandated education, training, or programs to the
extent that they grant preferences based on race, color, sex,
ethnicity, or national origin.
