In Defense of D.E.I. Written by Anthony Nguyen
On December 13, 2023, Governor Kevin Stitt signed an Executive Order that will prohibit the funding or support for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. Although Stitt claims that this will shift the focus of Oklahoma’s higher education institutions toward becoming merit-based, this Executive Order will do the opposite. The purpose of DEI programs is to nurture an environment where all students have equal opportunities for success and inclusion, no matter their background. These efforts actively foster unity within our minority and marginalized communities on campus, beyond what we (and they) see on a day-to-day basis. To silence such initiatives is to go against the very tenets that we of TAPIOKA Magazine stand for. Alongside House Bill 1775, this Executive Order disproportionally harms gender-diverse students and students of color, without properly understanding what DEI hopes to accomplish. Our education system is in dire need of systemic and structural reform, but this Executive Order is a step in the opposite direction. We urge you all to vote in your local elections, as civil engagement is needed for us to make a meaningful impact within our community. In the meantime, Oklahoma, for our sake, do better.
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