Professors, students appeal ruling on Alabama law banning DEI initiatives at public universities
Students and Professors Challenge Alabama’s Law on Diversity in Education
A group of students and professors from public universities in Alabama is urging an appeals court to block a state law banning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in public schools. This legislation, effective October 2024, outlaws the use of state funds for programs related to “divisive concepts,” including issues of race and gender. Proponents argue that the law limits academic freedom and promotes censorship, making educators hesitant to teach established topics.
U.S. District Judge David Proctor upheld the law, stating that it doesn’t eliminate discussions about these concepts, but rather mandates that they are presented objectively, without endorsement. Critics, including attorney Antonio Ingram of the plaintiffs’ Legal Defense Fund, contend that the law’s vague language could lead to arbitrary investigations against educators, stifling independent research and thought.
Dana Patton, a political science professor at the University of Alabama, describes the impact of the law on her curriculum, citing fears of misinterpretation among students leading to complaints against her teaching. She acknowledges that the law has forced her to exclude certain materials to avoid potential repercussions.
As similar legislative trends emerge nationally, the plaintiffs are calling for clarity and protection of academic discourse in higher education, arguing that the law effectively transforms universities into state-controlled platforms for conveying selective narratives.
Read the complete article here: https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2025-12-15/professors-students-appeal-ruling-on-alabama-law-banning-dei-initiatives-at-public-universities
