The movement to abolish diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) programs in American universities has gained significant momentum in recent years. Spearheaded by conservative activists, academics, and politicians, this movement has successfully pushed for legislation in multiple states to eliminate these programs from public institutions of higher learning. The most notable example of this campaign can be seen in Texas, where a former aide to Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick played a key role in banning D.E.I. initiatives at the state’s public universities.
The push to eradicate D.E.I. programs is rooted in the belief that efforts to increase racial diversity in universities have led to the corruption of higher education. Critics argue that these programs promote left-wing ideologies and hinder intellectual freedom on college campuses. The backlash against initiatives like Black Lives Matter and critical race theory has fueled the anti-D.E.I. movement, with more than 20 states considering or approving new laws targeting these programs.
The Claremont Institute, a California-based think tank with ties to the Trump movement and Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida, has been at the forefront of the anti-D.E.I. efforts. Through a network of think tanks, political groups, and Republican operatives in multiple states, the institute has sought funding and support to eliminate what they see as “social justice education” from American schools. While publicly advocating for academic freedom and diversity of thought, some involved in the movement have privately expressed views that are more extreme, including opposition to anti-discrimination laws and beliefs in patriarchal ideals.
Critics of D.E.I. programs argue that these initiatives have made universities intolerant and narrow-minded, rather than promoting inclusivity and diversity. Some have even expressed controversial views on race, sexuality, and gender roles in private conversations and correspondence. Despite their success in passing legislation in several Republican-dominated states, the activists behind the anti-D.E.I. movement continue to face challenges in gaining broader support from voters and officials.
In response to criticisms and allegations, the Claremont Institute has defended its stance against D.E.I., stating that the ideology behind these programs conflicts with America’s founding principles and constitutional government. The institute maintains that it is fighting to preserve justice, competence, and the progress of science by opposing D.E.I. initiatives.
As the debate over diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this movement will shape the future of American universities and the broader landscape of academic discourse. The clash between those advocating for the elimination of D.E.I. programs and those promoting diversity and inclusion highlights deep divisions within society on issues of race, identity, and social justice. In recent years, there has been a growing backlash against diversity statements and initiatives in various states and schools across the country. This pushback has been fueled by conservative organizations such as the Claremont Institute, which have been actively working to undermine these efforts.
The Claremont Institute, led by chairman and Republican donor Thomas D. Klingenstein, has been at the forefront of this movement. In early 2021, following the George Floyd protests and President Trump’s re-election defeat, the organization found itself on the defensive. The documents from Claremont show internal debates about how to frame their attacks on diversity and inclusion initiatives.
One key strategy that emerged was to rebrand terms like “diversity” and “inclusion” in order to stigmatize them. Instead of using these terms, activists like Scott Yenor suggested using more negative terms like “social justice” to garner public suspicion and opposition. This tactic was part of a broader effort to combat what they saw as leftist ideologies infiltrating American society.
One of the main targets of this campaign was critical race theory (CRT), which examines how racism can be embedded in laws and institutions. Republican officials and activists around the country began to push for bans on CRT in schools, but Claremont believed these bans were not far-reaching enough. They argued for a broader attack on what they called “critical social justice” or “critical social justice education.”
As the Claremont Institute and its allies began to roll out their research and reports, they focused on exposing and dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in universities. They argued that these programs were promoting a hateful ideology and transforming universities into centers of political activism.
In addition to their advocacy work, Claremont officials also saw an opportunity for fundraising. They reached out to conservative foundations, painting a dire picture of America under attack by leftist revolutionaries disguised as social justice advocates. The proposals aimed to secure funding for projects targeting public university systems in conservative-leaning states.
These projects would involve partnering with state think tanks, former fellows in conservative institutions, and lobbying sympathetic public officials to dismantle DEI programs in public universities. Claremont set its sights on states like Florida, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas, pledging to arm legislators with the knowledge and tools needed to combat what they viewed as the suicide of American civilization.
Overall, the Claremont Institute’s efforts represent a concerted and strategic campaign to undermine diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in higher education and beyond. By rebranding and reframing terms, targeting specific programs, and seeking funding for their cause, they are actively working to reshape the cultural and political landscape of the country. Ross were not available for comment.
The Claremont Institute’s efforts to push back against what they see as left-wing ideologies infiltrating academia and education have sparked controversy and raised questions about academic freedom and the role of state legislatures in shaping educational curriculums.
The organization’s proposals to various foundations, including the Taube Family Foundation and the Rupe Foundation, aimed to defund and ban spending on social justice programming in states across the country. The goal was to pass legislation similar to that of Idaho in at least one state in the first year and six more states by the end of the third year. The organization also sought donors at exclusive venues such as a Dallas country club and the home of Elizabeth Ailes, widow of Roger Ailes, co-founder of Fox News.
Secrecy was deemed essential in some cases, with donors remaining quiet about their support for projects examining critical race theory at institutions like MIT. The Claremont Institute’s focus on replacing left-wing ideologies with more patriotic and traditionalist curriculums in schools led to discussions about reshaping K-12 education and limiting the power of educational professionals in deciding what to teach.
The organization’s defense of controversial figures like Amy Wax, a conservative law professor at the University of Pennsylvania, highlighted the importance of academic freedom and the potential consequences of firing academics for expressing unpopular or offensive views. The exchanges between members of the Claremont Institute revealed strategic considerations for defending academic freedom in the face of backlash from administrators, students, and lawmakers.
Overall, the Claremont Institute’s efforts to influence education policy and academic discourse have sparked debates about the boundaries of academic freedom, the role of state legislatures in shaping educational curriculums, and the influence of conservative donors on academic institutions. The organization’s focus on promoting traditionalist values and pushing back against perceived left-wing ideologies continues to be a topic of contention in academic circles and beyond. effort’s most prominent groups, activists have sought to end state funding for public universities that offer diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. In Missouri, they have pressed for legislation that would prohibit workplace diversity training.
The movement has also drawn support from prominent conservative figures like Tucker Carlson and Senator Josh Hawley. In a recent appearance on Carlson’s show, Dr. Yenor discussed the dangers of “woke ideology” in schools and universities, arguing that it stifles free speech and critical thinking.
Despite the growing momentum of the anti-D.E.I. movement, critics warn that it poses a threat to academic freedom and diversity on college campuses. They argue that efforts to stigmatize and silence left-wing ideas are antithetical to the principles of higher education.
In response to these criticisms, Dr. Yenor and his allies have defended their campaign as a necessary corrective to what they see as the excesses of progressive ideology. They maintain that intellectual diversity and free speech are essential to a robust and vibrant educational environment.
As the debate over diversity, equity, and inclusion continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether the anti-D.E.I. movement will succeed in its efforts to reshape higher education in America. But one thing is clear: the clash of ideas and values on college campuses shows no signs of abating. And as long as that clash continues, the future of education in America hangs in the balance. A recent detailed report has shed light on the efforts of Republican state lawmakers to pass a bill limiting how universities could teach or train students about “divisive concepts.” The report, reportedly circulated among Republican lawmakers, was criticized by a spokeswoman for the University of Tennessee for being based on subjective criteria and opinions of the authors, rather than on factual information obtained through interviews or questions.
The report, produced by Velocity, a conservative group founded by Susan Kaestner, a veteran Republican operative in Tennessee, claimed that the focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion on Tennessee campuses was reducing viewpoint diversity. The report, along with similar ones focusing on universities in Arkansas and Alabama, was part of a broader effort by Claremont, a conservative think tank, to highlight what they perceived as left-wing influence in academia.
In Alabama, Claremont partnered with a group called Alabamians for Academic Excellence and Integrity, with former U.S. attorney general Jeff Sessions providing funds for a report on Auburn University and the University of Alabama. The report, titled “Going Woke in Dixie?,” prompted a wealthy Auburn alumnus and donor to confront the university’s president, Christopher B. Roberts, about its findings.
Similarly, in Maine, Claremont teamed up with Republican political operatives and a think tank to gather examples of “D.E.I. in action” in public universities and K-12 schools. The group published reports on “critical social justice” in Maine’s classrooms and launched an advertising campaign against the state’s Democratic governor, Janet Mills, accusing her of promoting pornography to children.
Despite Ms. Mills winning re-election, the anti-D.E.I. campaign has gained ground in more Republican-leaning states. Claremont has claimed credit for helping pass bans on divisive concepts in Florida and Texas, as well as executive orders in Arkansas and Oklahoma. The institute has also courted prominent Republicans like former Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders of Arkansas and Governor Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma, who have issued executive orders against critical race theory and indoctrination in schools.
In a recent email exchange, Thomas Klingenstein, a prominent conservative donor, expressed concerns about the lack of a cohesive vision in the Republican Party, particularly in addressing “wokeism.” He urged Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida to do a better job explaining the dangers of “wokeism” to voters, as the term became a focal point of DeSantis’ presidential campaign.
As the debate over divisive concepts and critical race theory continues to divide lawmakers and educators, conservative groups like Claremont and Velocity are likely to play a significant role in shaping policies and influencing public opinion on these issues. In a recent memo circulated by the American Principles Project, it was revealed that despite conservative attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, the concept of “woke” or DEI received generally positive scores among voters. The memo also highlighted the confusion among voters regarding the difference between equality and equity, with many not understanding the significance of achieving equal outcomes for different groups of people through equity initiatives.
While DEI was perceived more as fostering diverse workplaces rather than implementing affirmative action or anti-white hiring practices, specific DEI initiatives such as race-based quotas and diversity for diversity’s sake were met with opposition during the focus groups. The memo also pointed out that there was little to no distinction seen between the terms equality and equity when tested with voters.
The memo was sent to key figures such as Mr. Klingenstein and Mr. Williams, along with a draft speech intended for Representative Jim Banks, an Indiana Republican who founded the House Anti-Woke Caucus. Representative Banks and other Republicans have seized upon controversies over antisemitism on college campuses as a new opportunity to push back against DEI programs. With student protesters defending terrorist attacks on Israel by Hamas, critics of DEI programs found a more receptive audience among liberals.
As the presidential election approaches, Republicans are ramping up their campaign against higher education institutions under the guise of eradicating anti-Jewish hate. The House Committee on Education and the Workforce is currently investigating Harvard and other schools, with plans to expand the scope of the inquiry. Representative Elise Stefanik, a New York Republican, has promised to continue the robust congressional investigation to expose what she calls the “rot” in prestigious higher education institutions and hold them accountable to the American people.
The pushback against DEI programs and the focus on combating antisemitism on college campuses signals a shift in conservative messaging as they seek to rally support ahead of the upcoming presidential election. It remains to be seen how these efforts will resonate with voters and impact the political landscape in the months to come.
