Rep. Jasmine Crockett passionately defended diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs during a contentious House committee meeting on the proposed "Dismantle DEI" bill. The legislation, introduced by Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX), seeks to eliminate federal DEI offices and programs, claiming these initiatives foster "division" and waste taxpayer dollars. The bill passed its first hurdle, clearing the House Oversight Committee along party lines (23-17), but has yet to advance further.
During the meeting, Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) referred to DEI as "oppression," prompting Crockett's fiery response. "There has been no oppression for the white man in this country," Crockett said. "You tell me which white men were dragged out of their homes... all the way across an ocean and told that you are going to go and work." She added, "It is white men on this side of the aisle telling us, people of color... that y'all are the ones being oppressed. That is not the definition of oppression."
Crockett further defended her stance on social media, asserting, "I didn't bring race into anything… THEY DID & always do & then they twist history & dilute the definition of words."
Cloud defended the bill, arguing DEI programs undermine merit-based principles and "masquerade as fairness while fostering division, inefficiency, and discrimination." He emphasized the need to focus on efficient governance.
This isn't the first time Crockett has sparred with Republicans over DEI. In September, she criticized Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr's comments linking the Biden administration's Broadband Equity Access and Deployment program to DEI policies. She declared, "This election is the best example of why y'all are so afraid of diversity, equity and inclusion."
Crockett has also spoken about racial inequities in Texas higher education. During a BET interview, she highlighted how predominantly white institutions (PWIs) rely on Black athletes for sports programs but resist diversifying their student bodies and administrations. "They want everything else to be lily-white except for those fields, and I'm tired of it," she said.
Crockett's remarks spotlight ongoing debates about the role and impact of DEI initiatives in government and institutions.
Link: USA Today
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