Among the executive orders signed by the second Trump Administration are those targeting the implementation of DEI programs, research and activities at universities across the country. Diversity, equity and inclusion programs are initiatives aimed at promoting fair treatment of everyone and increasing participation.
An open letter announcing solidarity against anti-DEI initiatives has gained over 100 signatures across the WSU System. The letter was authored collaboratively by the Department of Comparative Ethnic Studies in WSU’s School of Languages, Cultures, and Race. The Evergreen’s contact at CES declined an interview, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the letter.
Anti-DEI initiatives are rooted in a decade-long trend of bigotry in the United States, according to the open letter. Such initiatives are attacks on everyone’s civil rights and are means of decreasing civic engagement.
“These actions represent a continuation of a decade-long series of racist, xenophobic, homophobic, transphobic, and ableist attacks that impact every person, regardless of their background,” the letter said. “There is a coordinated effort to weaken civil rights and shock the public into inaction and preemptive compliance.”
Initiatives targeting DEI over the past decade have broader implications for universities throughout the country.
President Kirk Schulz announced last September WSU would remain silent in social discussions, according to an earlier Daily Evergreen article. Schulz justified the neutrality policy by arguing it would encourage fair, open, civil and respectful debates among students without fear of university bias.
WSU is a land-grant institution, a status the administration takes pride in. The mission of any land-grant institution is to provide education to as many students as possible in a safe and welcoming environment, said Phil Weiler, vice president of Marketing and Communications, in an earlier Daily Evergreen article.
The university also recognizes the injustice accompanying the history of WSU’s land-grant status. The land granted to the university is stolen Native American land, according to the WSU Land Acknowledgement.
DEI initiatives are not intended to shame anyone. Rather, these initiatives are intended to benefit everyone by raising awareness, educating people and correcting the narrative, the letter said.
“We also recognize that the language of ‘DEI’ and ‘DEIA’ has been manipulated by this administration to include anything involving historically marginalized groups,” the letter said. “In reality, DEIA is meant to benefit everyone in society, but this administration is using it to justify book bans, state violence, and the criminalization of some of the most vulnerable members of society.”
Students and faculty interested in signing the open letter can do so through the Google Form.
