Oklahoma lawmakers respond to racist incident and debate effectiveness of DEI program

TISHOMINGO, OKLAHOMA (KTUL) — Questions are being raised about diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives after six Tishomingo students appeared in a photo on social media with a racial slur.

Brandon Moreland, superintendent of Tishomingo Public Schools, has since released a statement saying, “Racism and discrimination in any form will never be tolerated or accepted on our campus and do not reflect the values ​​of our students, our school or our community.”

Moreland said the district is taking the incident seriously and students will face disciplinary action. Out of an abundance of caution, the district also canceled homecoming activities planned for Friday.

Last fall, Governor Kevin Stitt signed an executive order eliminating DEI programs in higher education. Shortly thereafter, State School Superintendent Ryan Walters announced he would ban DEI programs from school districts as well. He also announced new rules banning DEI programs at a State Board of Education meeting.

Walters, who has not commented publicly on the Tishomingo incident, said in a statement requested by News Channel 8: “Every student in Oklahoma is entitled to a classroom environment free of racial bias and it will not be tolerated. The district has responded quickly to discipline the students responsible and local law enforcement has been engaged to ensure the protection and safety of our students. Our office is closely monitoring the situation and is in contact with the district to offer additional support.”

His office did not respond when asked whether eliminating DEI programs in schools will lead to an increase in such incidents. We have also reached out to Governor Stitt's office for comment since he signed the executive order, but we have not received a response.

Lawmakers from both parties condemn the students' behavior. While DEI programs remain a contentious issue in Oklahoma, both parties agree that such behavior starts at home and will not be tolerated in school.

Rep. Regina Goodwin said eliminating DEI programs is harmful and reckless. She said DEI in schools is about educating people about marginalized groups and believes we will see more incidents like this following Gov. Stitt's executive order and Walters' rules.

Goodwin said that since these students could spell a six-letter insult, they could also spell another six-letter word – “racist.”

“Governor Stitt and State School Superintendent Ryan Walters, when they make it their mission to exclude other people, this is kind of the result they get. You get racism. You get bigotry. You get students who somehow think this is not serious,” she said.

State Senator Rob Standridge pushed legislation last year to eliminate DEI programs at public universities. He calls these programs discriminatory because they exclude certain students from scholarship and other opportunities. He also said he condemns what happened in Tishomingo and that parents need to do better.

“Racist discrimination is completely unacceptable and should be punished. It should not be allowed. It should not be tolerated at any level, in public schools, in general education, in higher education, and when I look at DEI, there are certainly some good intentions. I'm not saying that everyone who wants to do DEI has bad motivation or doesn't want to do good, but in my experience, it is very discriminatory,” he said.

Both MPs said they did not want to experience such incidents again.