Arlington, TX students march to defend diversity, equity and inclusion measures
Arlington, TX – On April 21, members of NTXStudentsForDEI and UT-Arlington’s Progressive Student Union marched through the streets of University of Texas at Arlington in protest of recent attacks on diversity equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.
Before marching, Mark Napieralski, former president of PSU, gave a speech denouncing UTA’s not making a promise to protect DEI and oppressed nationality students. Napieralski also remarked on the irony of UTA boasting high rates of Black graduates, while making cuts to ethnic studies programs.
As they marched, students chanted “DEI till I D-I-E,” and “Not my UTA” among other slogans, to the beat of the whistle played by Student Body Vice President Dylan Buck, whilst handing out flyers about the attacks on DEI to onlookers. At the front of the procession was outstretched a banner that read “Stop attacks on diversity programs,” which several students took pictures and video of as they passed.
This march comes in response to the passing of bills like HB 1006, which seeks to prohibit the funding of any office of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and SB 17, which prohibits affirmative action in hiring practices and requires that staff hired through affirmative action programs be fired. These bills pose a direct threat to oppressed nationality and members of the LGBTQ community.
During the march, students confronted UTA President Jennifer Evans Cowley about her unwillingness to take action regarding attacks on DEI. Cowley was unwilling to make a statement, claiming that the bills were “too vague to have any real effect,” a claim which makes little sense in light of similar attacks in Florida with vagueness being weaponized to attack any and all diversity programs.
Ultimately, PSU and NTXStudentsForDEI were left without support from the president, with Dylan Buck stating that “DEI is one of the most important initiatives that can exist in higher education.”