All articles tagged with #diversity training
A St. Louis news anchor apologized for using the term "colored" instead of "homeowners of color" while teasing a story about Black homeowners, prompting criticism from the National Association of Black Journalists. The TV station explained that the script was inadvertently changed, but the incident raised concerns about racial sensitivity and the need for diversity training in the newsroom.
Utah's governor, Spencer Cox, signed a bill into law prohibiting diversity training, hiring, and inclusion programs at universities and in state government, marking the state as the latest to do so. The law also requires people to use bathrooms and locker rooms in public schools and government-owned buildings that match the sex they were assigned at birth. This move aligns with a trend seen in at least 17 states where Republican lawmakers have proposed bills to restrict or require public disclosure of DEI initiatives, while Democrats in nine states have filed bills to require or promote DEI initiatives.
NASCAR driver Noah Gragson, who was suspended for liking a racially insensitive tweet, has expressed remorse for his past mistake and emphasized his personal growth during his time away from racing. Gragson completed diversity training and visited civil rights museums to educate himself about racial issues. He has reflected on his privilege as a white male and aims to be more aware of others. Gragson has also made changes in his personal life, such as reading books and focusing on self-improvement. He is excited to return to NASCAR and hopes to show that he has learned from his past actions.
A hospital employee at Kaiser Permanente leaked a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training video that promoted the idea that 3-year-olds can identify as transgender. The video featured children explaining their transgender identities at a young age, but Kaiser Permanente clarified that they do not provide medical treatments to children in this age group. The training video has sparked controversy as medical professionals have been promoting fringe ideas about gender ideology, including claims that children can identify as "Tootsie Roll Pops" and "Gender Minotaurs." Critics argue that the medical literature does not support giving hormones and puberty blockers to minors as a standard practice.
The Pentagon has enforced its longstanding policy of not allowing drag shows to be hosted at military facilities, following pressure from Republican lawmakers who argue that diversity training and racial-justice education distract from warfighting and harm recruiting efforts. The Defense Department's most senior leaders canceled a drag show in celebration of Pride Month at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, which was scheduled to take place on Thursday. Military commanders had previously permitted DoD facilities to be used to host drag events, but the Pentagon spokesperson said hosting these types of events in federally funded facilities is not a suitable use of DOD resources.
The Ohio Senate has passed a controversial higher education bill, SB 83, which restricts mandatory diversity training, bans faculty strikes, and penalizes professors who fail to create classrooms free from bias. The bill has been criticized for trampling on academic freedom and could cause professors to skirt controversial subjects out of fear of reprisal from their administrations. The legislation is part of a national wave of conservative legislation seeking to change how students and staff experience life on America's college campuses.