Conservatives won a three-year battle when Gov. Kay Ivey signed a ban on teaching of divisive concepts in K-12 education, state colleges and universities, and state agencies.
Ivey signed the socially conservative legislation into law on Wednesday.
The Senate version of the legislation was sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road) and carried in the House by Rep. Ed Oliver (R-Dadeville), who brought the original version of the bill in 2022.
The bill effectively bans diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in Alabama’s public schools and universities. It also bans divisive concepts such as the idea that America was founded to serve a critical race.
The bill originally was brought as a ban on teaching the controversial critical race theory. It did not pass out of the Senate in 2022 even though it did pass the House. That bill morphed into an anti-divisive concepts bill and was later expanded to ban DEI programs in colleges and universities as well as other state agencies.
“Government is charged with ensuring responsible use of taxpayer dollars,” Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Chairman Wahl said. “SB129 does exactly that, while pushing back on the woke agenda. Gov. Kay Ivey, bill sponsor Sen. Will Barfoot, and members of the Alabama Legislature stand united in upholding the principles that matter most to the people of Alabama.”
The legislation bans instructors requiring a student, employee, or government contractor agree with a divisive concept. The bill will still allow students and staff to host DEI programs “provided that no state funds are used,” while instructors would be permitted to teach topics in a “historically accurate context.”
Florida passed similar legislation recently and the University of Florida laid off its entire DEI office. The NAACP is asking African-American athletes to refuse to take scholarships to Florida schools as a result.
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin made a similar threat on his X social media account.
“Although I’m the biggest Bama fan, I have no problem organizing Black parents and athletes to attend other institutions outside of the state where diversity and inclusion are prioritized,” Woodfin posted.
Some LGBTQ+ students told legislators during the debate that they would not stay in Alabama if this legislation became law.
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