Diversity efforts are designed to bring more minorities into positions of authority and better paying jobs. Ask your self why anyone would be against that? Ask why those people would go to the point of using the power of the entire state to deny such programs? It is about white cis straight power! It is flat out racism! I don’t know how else to explain it. These people are threatened by programs that reach out to minorities instead of just giving all the good jobs to white people or include black / brown people in higher education. Hugs. Scottie Some quotes below
However, DEI programs typically provide support not only for students from marginalized communities, but also for veterans, low-income students, first-generation students, single parents and students with disabilities.
“Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) departments, programs, and entities play a pivotal role in providing a safe and inclusive space for minority and marginalized communities on higher education campuses,” the statement reads. “These initiatives offer students a platform to voice their concerns, establish a home away from home, and foster unity within the student life community. Any attempt to remove personnel, funding, and programming jeopardizes the very existence of these essential spaces.
Oklahoma’s ban is the latest in a wave of efforts across the country to walk back DEI initiatives that were largely popularized during and after 2020. Earlier this year Ron DeSantis, Florida’s governor, signed bills banning institutions from spending federal or state dollars on DEI initiatives, while, last month, the Iowa Board of Regents voted to direct the state’s public universities to cut DEI programs that are not necessary for research contracts or accreditation. The same day Stitt signed his executive order, according to WPR, Wisconsin Republicans successfully pushed the University of Wisconsin to freeze DEI staffing through 2026 and eliminate or refocus about 40 positions focused on diversity.
Order prohibits agencies and public colleges and universities from using state funds, property or resources towards DEI initiatives
University of Oklahoma Sooners’ college campus. The university’s president has stressed its commitment to ‘access and opportunity’ for all students. Photograph: Forge Productions/Alamy
On Wednesday Kevin Stitt, Oklahoma’s governor, signed an executive order in effect banning diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs at agencies and public colleges and universities across the state.
The order prohibits them from using state funds, property or resources towards DEI initiatives and orders them to dismiss “non-critical personnel”. It is effective immediately, but institutions are expected to comply no later than 31 May 2024.
The 25 public colleges and universities in the state also have to provide reports that detail the expenditure of their former DEI initiatives and job positions. Stitt said he is “implementing greater protections for Oklahomans and their tax dollars”. But according to local news outlet KFOR, only “around $10.2m was spent on DEI programs in the past decade. It accounted for three-tenths of one percent of all higher education spending.”
Kevin Stitt, the governor of Oklahoma. Photograph: Sue Ogrocki/AP
The governor also said that Oklahoma should focus on supporting low-income and first-generation students instead of supporting students based on their race. However, DEI programs typically provide support not only for students from marginalized communities, but also for veterans, low-income students, first-generation students, single parents and students with disabilities.
In response to the executive order Joseph Harrosz Jr, the president of the University of Oklahoma, sent a letter to the OU community acknowledging how alarming the elimination of these programs may be for some people. But he doubled down on the university’s commitment to accessible education, writing, “Please be assured that key to our ongoing successes as the state’s flagship university – now and forever – are the foundational values that have served as our constant north star: access and opportunity for all of those with the talent and tenacity to succeed; being a place of belonging for all who attend; dedication to free speech and inquiry; and civility in our treatment of each other. These values transcend political ideology, and in them, we are unwavering.”
“Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) departments, programs, and entities play a pivotal role in providing a safe and inclusive space for minority and marginalized communities on higher education campuses,” the statement reads. “These initiatives offer students a platform to voice their concerns, establish a home away from home, and foster unity within the student life community. Any attempt to remove personnel, funding, and programming jeopardizes the very existence of these essential spaces.
Oklahoma’s ban is the latest in a wave of efforts across the country to walk back DEI initiatives that were largely popularized during and after 2020. Earlier this year Ron DeSantis, Florida’s governor, signed bills banning institutions from spending federal or state dollars on DEI initiatives, while, last month, the Iowa Board of Regents voted to direct the state’s public universities to cut DEI programs that are not necessary for research contracts or accreditation. The same day Stitt signed his executive order, according to WPR, Wisconsin Republicans successfully pushed the University of Wisconsin to freeze DEI staffing through 2026 and eliminate or refocus about 40 positions focused on diversity.
Read the full article. Stitt, who appeared here last month when he publicly praised illegal cockfighting, is a self-avowed Christian nationalist. He recently declared November to be “family month as ordained by God.” In June 2023, he authorized the nation’s first state-funded religious charter school. Last year he claimed “every square inch of Oklahoma in the name of Jesus.” Upon his inauguration, Stitt’s wife declared that his administration’s main priority would be “bringing people to Jesus.”
When he states that he wants to”protect Oklahomans” he really means the lily white males. Of course. The universe protect us from these Christian fanatics!
“Last year he claimed “every square inch of Oklahoma in the name of Jesus.” Upon his inauguration, Stitt’s wife declared that his administration’s main priority would be “bringing people to Jesus.””
I am an older gay guy in a long-term wonderful relationship. My spouse and I are in our 36th year together. I love politics and news. I enjoy civil discussions and have no taboo subjects. My pronouns are he / him / his and my email is Scottiestoybox@gmail.com
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2 thoughts on “Oklahoma governor signs order effectively banning diversity programs at public colleges”
Hi Scottie;
I’ve been thinking a lot about the quest for “authority”. There are a great many variations of this word, but I find it interesting that rarely does right or wrong, moral or immoral, ethical or unethical ever really invade into the definitions.
For instance, a man could cry out on the street corner the most righteous, moral and ethical course of action our country should take, but without the authority to make those changes little will occur. Of course, the inverse is also true, thankfully.
Now, if we were to compare the beginning of tRump’s career as a politician, it was with an impotent declaration of corrupt immigrants, corrupt media, corrupt government workers, courts and judges, FBI, and other politicians. And, of course, there were many that ate this up for their own racism, ignorance, need for power to do their own crap, etc. The media looked upon this poorly educated con-artist and charlatan as the joke he was not realizing the commonality of stupid.
Now we see another riding the shit-stained coattails of the most popular village idiot and while this man gained the top administration level in a place of higher education, his evident greatest goal is not to bring enlightenment to his students, but to curtail free expression and fairness. He will go to his creator with the bitter achievement of managing to stand in the way of those seeking freedom from poverty and ignorance. (I’ve just now realized why no one asks me to do their eulogy.)
I have unwillingly come to hate trump in his quest for authoritarianism not only because he is incompetent, but because like all authoritarianists he is a coward. It takes bravery and compassion to allow people to grow, explore, go different directions and have different passions all while holding a moral and ethical base that guides and hopes and loves. Trump and the submissive cult that follows him care only for the power that makes them immune to rebuttal and challenge of their – what should be – unconscionable goals.
What bothers me the most about this: that guy is supposed to be well educated.
Hugs;
randy
Hi Randy. The governor of Oklahoma is a Fundamentalist Christian who believes fervently that god should and once did rule the US. He seems like he also is a racist who believes in furthering the idea of white people being in charge, with white people only in management. Black people and the other non-whites should be labor and lower income earners. He once proclaimed all of Oklahoma to be under the control of the Christian god in the name of his son Jesus, including the lands owned by the Native People. So screw anyone with other faiths. He installed his highly aggressive fundamentalist education chief with the goal of forcing Christianity and the preaching / indoctrination of Jesus into public schools. His education chief turned down school lunch assistance from the federal government because it came with nondiscrimination clauses. Fuck starving kids if it means we can not bully gay, trans, and black kids. Yes if they had their way church Sunday school would be all day every day at public schools and adults would be required to attend a Christian church every Sunday. He feels his job is to be the state preacher, and all the state department heads are his deacons, and their jobs is to spread the Christian religion to every one in the state. He wants the public schools run by his church doctrines. Hugs. Scottie
University of Oklahoma Sooners’ college campus. The university’s president has stressed its commitment to ‘access and opportunity’ for all students. Photograph: Forge Productions/Alamy
Scottie's Playtime 
Hi Scottie;
I’ve been thinking a lot about the quest for “authority”. There are a great many variations of this word, but I find it interesting that rarely does right or wrong, moral or immoral, ethical or unethical ever really invade into the definitions.
For instance, a man could cry out on the street corner the most righteous, moral and ethical course of action our country should take, but without the authority to make those changes little will occur. Of course, the inverse is also true, thankfully.
Now, if we were to compare the beginning of tRump’s career as a politician, it was with an impotent declaration of corrupt immigrants, corrupt media, corrupt government workers, courts and judges, FBI, and other politicians. And, of course, there were many that ate this up for their own racism, ignorance, need for power to do their own crap, etc. The media looked upon this poorly educated con-artist and charlatan as the joke he was not realizing the commonality of stupid.
Now we see another riding the shit-stained coattails of the most popular village idiot and while this man gained the top administration level in a place of higher education, his evident greatest goal is not to bring enlightenment to his students, but to curtail free expression and fairness. He will go to his creator with the bitter achievement of managing to stand in the way of those seeking freedom from poverty and ignorance. (I’ve just now realized why no one asks me to do their eulogy.)
I have unwillingly come to hate trump in his quest for authoritarianism not only because he is incompetent, but because like all authoritarianists he is a coward. It takes bravery and compassion to allow people to grow, explore, go different directions and have different passions all while holding a moral and ethical base that guides and hopes and loves. Trump and the submissive cult that follows him care only for the power that makes them immune to rebuttal and challenge of their – what should be – unconscionable goals.
What bothers me the most about this: that guy is supposed to be well educated.
Hugs;
randy
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Hi Randy. The governor of Oklahoma is a Fundamentalist Christian who believes fervently that god should and once did rule the US. He seems like he also is a racist who believes in furthering the idea of white people being in charge, with white people only in management. Black people and the other non-whites should be labor and lower income earners. He once proclaimed all of Oklahoma to be under the control of the Christian god in the name of his son Jesus, including the lands owned by the Native People. So screw anyone with other faiths. He installed his highly aggressive fundamentalist education chief with the goal of forcing Christianity and the preaching / indoctrination of Jesus into public schools. His education chief turned down school lunch assistance from the federal government because it came with nondiscrimination clauses. Fuck starving kids if it means we can not bully gay, trans, and black kids. Yes if they had their way church Sunday school would be all day every day at public schools and adults would be required to attend a Christian church every Sunday. He feels his job is to be the state preacher, and all the state department heads are his deacons, and their jobs is to spread the Christian religion to every one in the state. He wants the public schools run by his church doctrines. Hugs. Scottie
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