Governor Greg Abbott of Texas recently amplified a concerning decision from the University of North Carolina, which eliminated its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) department, reallocating those funds to campus police. By endorsing this shift on social media with a post from “End Wokeness,” Governor Abbott not only lauded the exclusion of DEI initiatives but symbolically aligned himself with a dismissive stance toward equality and inclusivity. His approval—“This is the way”—resonates a big invitation for other governors to follow suit.
The funds previously allocated to the DEI department have been transferred to campus police, a move that feels particularly provocative given the existing and historical tensions between minority communities and law enforcement—tensions that DEI initiatives aim to mitigate. It is a slap in the face. Such moves by a state leader not only marginalize vulnerable groups but also perpetuate a culture that undervalues the importance of addressing and understanding systemic inequalities. Abbott’s visible alignment with this regressive stance sends a clear, disheartening message to all Texans about the values our leadership chooses to promote. Go Vote.
