Ron DeSantis bans universities from spending money on diversity education

On Monday, Ron DeSantis signed into law legislation banning public funding for diversity, equality, and inclusion programs at Florida's public universities. Photo: Ron DeSantis/Tampa Bay Times

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation to prevent public colleges from spending money on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

Mr. DeSantis, who is expected to announce his run for the White House, fired the final shot in his «War on the Awakeners» on Monday.

A new law prohibits public colleges from spending federal or state money on schemes known as DEI.

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«If you look at how it's actually implemented across the country, DEI is better seen as a symbol of discrimination, exclusion and indoctrination,» said Mr. DeSantis in Sarasota.

«And it's not places in our public institutions. This bill states that the entire DEI experiment is coming to an end in the state of Florida.”

The move would remove funding for programs that improve access to education for racially and sexually-oriented minorities. It will also impose restrictions on teaching in schools and colleges.

General education courses, which are compulsory for all students, will not be allowed to use materials that “distort significant historical events.”

Identity Politics

A course that teaches “identity politics” or is based on “theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression or privilege is inherent in the institutions of the United States and was created to maintain social, political or economic inequality.

What is taught in schools is becoming one of the key political issues in US politics. Supporters of the changes, backed by Mr. DeSantis and other conservative governors, say they are necessary to advance American values.

Joe Kohn, director of legislative and policy affairs at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, denounced the move.

«The law signed by the Governor unconstitutionally duplicates the Stop the Awakening Act, against which a federal court has already issued a preliminary injunction,» he told The Telegraph.

«Those who voted for this act are mistaken if they think it has a better chance of going to court.»

Republican strategists believe the move is popular with voters, as Glenn Youngkin's successful campaign on last year in Virginia.

However, the move took hundreds of books off the shelves of school libraries.

Free Speech PEN of America said that there were 1,477 book bans. in the first half of the current academic year, up 28.5% from the previous semester.

The restrictions have also faced fierce opposition from groups such as the American Association of University Professors.

“Our students deserve a quality education that includes the freedom to explore, hard truths, and multiple perspectives,” it says.

“But politicians in some states are trying to replace the freedom of education with their ideological beliefs, acceptance legislation affecting colleges and universities.”