No one in America has done more to expose and help demolish diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives than conservative activist Christopher Rufo, and he was quick to respond to what some thought must be a parody video involving Utah Democrats.
“The proper way to conceive of DEI is as a system of racial spoils, in which one group is singled out as the scapegoat and denied the full protection of the state and the institutions,” Rufo said previously — see white Americans or Asian-Americans.
On Thursday, Utah passed what the media claims is a “controversial bill” that reworks — see abolishes — how DEI initiatives operate in public universities, schools, and offices.
Democratic state lawmakers responded with a press conference to the passing of the legislation that will go now back to the House where it is expected to pass.
“Utah Democrats are dressed in black to mourn the passage of the bill abolishing DEI in all state universities. Notice, too, that all men were sent to the back row,” observed Rufo, who was appointed to the New College of Florida board last year by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Utah Democrats are dressed in black to mourn the passage of the bill abolishing DEI in all state universities. Notice, too, that all men were sent to the back row.pic.twitter.com/10iJxARPdw
— Christopher F. Rufo ⚔️ (@realchrisrufo) January 25, 2024
In another win, the GOP-led state House passed a bill prohibiting individuals “from using gender-designated facilities that differ from their sex assigned at birth in government buildings, correctional facilities and domestic violence shelters unless they have undergone a transition-related surgery and legally amended the sex on their birth certificate,” The Hill reported.
Utah Democrats are wearing all-black to mourn the passing of HB257 and HB261
HB257 bans men from girls bathrooms in schools and HB261 bans DEI from public education: pic.twitter.com/KVz0I8yrSb
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) January 25, 2024
Proving that he is indeed a happy warrior who is enjoying the fruits of his labor, Rufo followed up with this tweet:
— Christopher F. Rufo ⚔️ (@realchrisrufo) January 25, 2024
On a more serious note, Rufo explained to Fox News last year the “deeper, more subversive meaning” being DEI efforts.
“Everyone wants a diversity of opinions, experiences, relationships. Equity sounds much like the American principle of equality, treating people equally as individuals. And inclusion is something that everyone strives for. No one wants to feel excluded,” he said. “But, you have to actually dig down and see that these words are manipulative on the surface and have a deeper, more subversive meaning beneath them.”
“What it means in practice is that a bureaucracy separates people into racial categories, rewards people and punishes some people, and punishes other people on the basis of their group identity,” he explained. “So, this is a kind of racial-spoil system that you see, for example, in affirmative action in college admissions, where Asian-American students are harshly punished because of their ancestry, and Latino and African-American students are generously rewarded because of their ancestry. This isn’t a merit-based system. It’s a race-based redistribution system.”
Here’s a quick sampling of responses to the story, as seen on X:
“DEI is dead, get your black dress and make sure you look cute!”
— Christopher F. Rufo ⚔️ (@realchrisrufo) January 25, 2024
Appropriate dress for a funeral.
Bury DEI once and for all.
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) January 25, 2024
I cannot roll my eyes hard enough at these people. They’re like PETA giving names to steaks at the store.
— James Lasher (@TheJamesLasher) January 25, 2024
Nobody has less self-respect than a white male Democrat.
— Jeremy Carl (@realJeremyCarl) January 25, 2024
When you mourn keeping delusional males away from women’s bathrooms
You’re solidly delusional too
— Jim Hanson (@JimHansonDC) January 25, 2024
Great win for Utah, women and people who want to be treated equally.
Democrats mourning this bill don’t realize that it protects them.
Clearly their parents and schools have failed them.
DEI must end — just don’t expect thanks from those who wrongly supported it.
— Paul A. Szypula (@Bubblebathgirl) January 25, 2024
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
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