Reshaping the Narrative: The Anti-Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Movement in American Higher Education

by Cecilia Stanton Adams

In recent years, the landscape of American higher education has become a battleground for ideological conflicts, with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs at the heart of the debate. A concerted effort by conservative activists and intellectuals aims to dismantle these programs, viewing them as vehicles for left-leaning indoctrination rather than educational enhancement.

The movement to abolish DEI initiatives gained significant momentum in Texas, where activists collaborated with political allies to target public universities. By 2023, the anti-DEI sentiment had influenced legislation in over twenty states, reflecting a broader national trend of pushback against academic policies promoting racial and social justice. This movement argues that such programs compromise the meritocratic foundation and intellectual freedom supposedly inherent in the educational system.

Central to these efforts is the Claremont Institute, a think tank with deep connections to influential conservative figures and former President Donald Trump. The Institute has been instrumental in crafting a narrative that frames DEI as contrary to America’s founding principles and detrimental to the objective pursuit of knowledge and academic freedom. Using a network of like-minded organizations and significant funding from conservative philanthropies, Claremont has developed a strategic approach to influencing public opinion and legislative action across the United States.

The playbook revealed by internal documents includes drafting model legislation, coordinating advocacy efforts across states, and engaging in aggressive public relations campaigns. These documents also expose a side of the movement rarely discussed openly: derogatory attitudes toward marginalized groups and a strategic use of rhetoric designed to stigmatize social justice initiatives.

Despite these efforts, public support for diversity initiatives remains robust, indicating a disconnect between the movement's objectives and the broader societal values surrounding inclusivity and equity in education.

As this ideological struggle unfolds, the implications for American higher education and society at large are profound. The debate over DEI programs is not just about educational policy but reflects deeper divisions regarding the nation’s values and the role of education in shaping the future of its democratic fabric. The ongoing campaigns against DEI, while marked by victories in certain states, face the challenge of reconciling a vision of education that increasingly appears at odds with the evolving norms of a diverse and dynamic society.