A group of professors from Florida universities, along with the ACLU, have taken a stand against a new law from 2023. This law restricts funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and limits what can be taught about critical race theory in schools.
Their lawsuit claims that this law, known as S.B. 266, goes against the First Amendment. It argues that the law discourages open discussions and hinders academic freedom in public universities.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court, points out that S.B. 266 has led to the cutting down of essential courses, reduced funding for DEI efforts, and stifled student voices. This action comes about a year and a half after Governor Ron DeSantis stated that Florida would end its focus on DEI initiatives.
One major issue is that although classes aren’t being canceled, they are losing their general education designation. As a result, students are less likely to enroll. Professor Sharon Austin, one of the lawsuit’s lead plaintiffs and a former director of the African American Studies Program at the University of Florida, expressed concern that the law’s unclear language forces teachers to censor themselves. This ultimately harms the students’ learning experience.
Austin highlights that she was denied funding to attend a conference even after receiving support the previous year. Additionally, two of her courses, titled “Politics of Race” and “Black Horror and Social Justice,” were flagged as potentially violating the law, affecting their general education status.
Another professor involved, Jean Rahier from Florida International University, faced similar challenges. Two of his courses were removed from the general education curriculum due to their potential conflict with S.B. 266. Despite altering the course titles and descriptions as suggested, the university informed him that the changes were not enough to reinstate the courses.
These popular courses are vital for both students and the programs they belong to, raising concerns about future funding.
The lawsuit also raises questions about fairness in the law’s application. It notes that while the law restricts certain topics, publicly funded centers focusing on traditional Western civilization themes continue to operate without scrutiny. This has led critics to argue that there’s a double standard in what can be discussed.
Under S.B. 266, public institutions are barred from using state or federal funds to support programs that advocate for DEI or engage in specific social or political ideologies. The law insists that courses must center around the idea of equality and refrain from teaching about systemic racism or privilege.
Interestingly, another similar lawsuit has been filed in Alabama, challenging its state law against DEI efforts as unconstitutional.
