GEORGIA, USA — Editor's Note: The above video is from previous coverage of this story.
With the latest efforts in Florida, such as dismantling programs aimed at diversity, equity and inclusion offices and instruction in Sunshine State schools, many may begin to wonder where the Peach State stands.
Last week, the NAACP wrote a letter to prospective Florida athletes who are considering attending predominately white institutions for higher education. The letter told athletes they should look at other institutions outside of the state due to the divisive concepts. It came after the University of Florida got rid of its DEI office earlier this month, according to the Associated Press.
Experts in Georiga emphasized the far-reaching impacts the latest legislative moves can have on students and educators. 11Alive spoke with experts who said although Georgia's efforts may not be as extreme as Florida's, there is still a battle in primary education schools.
Where does Georgia stand in anti-DEI efforts?
Several bills supporting these concepts have been introduced into the Georgia Senate and House. Few have passed, but they have caused a major shakeup amongst schools in the Peach State.
For example, in 2022, Georgia passed SB 226 -- which allowed parents to submit complaints about material they thought was not suitable for children, giving the parents rights.
American Civil Liberties Union First Amendment Policy Advocate Sarah Hunt-Blackwell believes the recent book bans in the state are a prime example of lawmakers tearing away at DEI instruction. The bill made the anti-DEI efforts echo sentiments on scales smaller than the Georgia dome.
Hunt-Blackwell said that on the surface, the bill could seem harmless, but a Cobb County teacher was fired for reading a book that features a non-binary character called "My Shadow is Purple." The firing of the Cobb County teacher led to community upheaval and book bans in other metro Atlanta school districts.
Book bans are not just unique to the Peach State but are spreading across the country rapidly.
According to literary and free expression advocacy organization PEN America, a database from their index documents decisions to ban books in school libraries and classrooms across the country. Data shows that the majority of book bans stem from 12 states, including Georgia. During the 2022–2023 school year, PEN America tracked 3,362 book bans, an increase of 33% from the 2021–2022 school year.
Georgia also signed House Bill 1084 into law in 2022, which is also known as the Divisive Concepts bill. It banned concepts that include claims that the U.S. is “fundamentally or systematically racist,” that many people are “inherently racist or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously,” and that no one “should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress because of his or her race.”
Many critics of the bill considered the bill similar to Florida's banning of "critical race theory."
"It has completely altered how Georgia's educators believe that they can instruct in classrooms. It's impacted what they believe they can say and what they believe they can't say. So we're already seeing this play out in Georgia schools," said Hunt-Blackwell.
Last year, Sen. Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming) introduced a bill that would remove specific diversity, equity, and inclusion questions from applications to become educators, also known as political litmus tests.
However, the bill was referred to a committee and has not been very successful in moving forward.
In 2023, a state manual quietly removed guidelines on diversity, equity and inclusion for state teachers. The changes came from within the agency that certifies state teachers – which had embraced diversity, equity, and inclusion until it didn’t.
How effective are DEI instruction, offices and representation in schools?
Dr. Bryant Marks, a psychology professor at Morehouse School of Medicine, explained how the words diversity, equity and inclusion stem from social psychology.
Marks broke down each term in the phrase. He started with diversity, which he said allows for a difference in the classroom.
"It's sort of strange to me that we cannot have a meaningful discussion about how our differences may impact how we do our jobs and how we serve our students in higher education is the case, but also the public like that, that is just ridiculous on its face," he said referring to the political efforts.
Marks also spoke to the psychological aspects of the dismantling of the instruction and programs.
"You run the high risk of students suffering in silence of them experiencing negative treatment and outcomes and not saying anything to anyone, just sort of pushing through, by their own might, but still frustrated, feeling alone, ostracized, and maybe impacting their mental health," Marks said.
According to the American Psychology Association, studies have shown that having a diverse and inclusive curriculum in schools can lead to positive changes in students' values and critical thinking and help students recognize their own biases.
What does the "Woke" agenda have to do with diversity, equity and inclusion?
11Alive previously asked Sen. Greg Dolezal, "What's wrong with diversity, equity and inclusion?" He responded, "It’s a litmus test to (subscribe) to the 'woke agenda,' which is obviously part of the battle we’re facing in education all over the country."
Being "woke" is a term highly popularized through music, movies and other media. It comes from African American Vernacular English (AAVE), meaning that someone is aware of racial prejudice and discrimination.
Hunt-Blackwell and Dr. Marks said Conservative politicians and groups are now using the term negatively, gravitating toward a more political connotation. The experts described the term as a way of being aware of historical events that have taken place in this country.
"It's not some abstract, conceptual idea of trying to perpetuate feelings, of making others feel inadequate and other groups feeling superior. It's really just having an open and honest dialog about the nature of our country," said Hunt-Blackwell.
We reached out to Sen. Greg Dolezal, who introduced a bill against political litmus tests and sponsored SB 226, to gather a response about whether he feels the legislation is successful. His office said he would not be able to give a statement at this time.
How do Georgia teachers feel about the efforts?
11Alive Digital Producer and Host of Uncomfortable Conversations Makayla Richards spoke with educators for her latest episode, in which they explored the hardships of being an educator in the Peach State.
In that conversation, educators spoke to the budding controversy of book bans.
"We don't have a hidden agenda. That is so off base," one of the educators previously told us.
You can watch the full episode of "The Harsh realities of Being a Teacher in 2024 | Uncomfortable Conversations" below or on the 11Alive+ app.
This story continues below the video.
More educators followed up with 11Alive to share their latest concerns on legislation they oppose, leaving them to be advocates against the political scope that targets the curriculum they teach. The educators spoke against bills that would restrict transgender students from participating in certain sports or using a particular bathroom and more on funding supporting library censorship, just to name a few.
Veena Black, a STEM teacher and Georgia Teacher of the Year finalist, and Michelle Mickens, the 2022 runner-up for State Teacher of the Year, recently explained the process of how people can continue to speak up for students and against the legislation.
"It's much more writing and emailing and calling, but Michelle and I did actually met with a few legislators," said Black.
"It's so important to have this information because I think people think the process is so much more complicated than it is. And you literally walk in and anybody can sign up before the hearing to speak," said Mickens.
Although some educators are outspoken about the scope of anti-DEI legislation, some are still afraid to speak up.
"There are so many teachers who are fearful to come forward, who are fearful to speak out due to concerns of their well-being and their livelihood," said Hunt-Blackwell.
What's next?
As anti-DEI legislation continues to enter the educational compass of the country, a conversation surrounding parental rights continues to fuel the fire.
Hunt-Blackwell said the conversation extends far beyond anti-DEI and book bans and now surrounds the idea of transgender medical care for children.
Georgia recently passed a bill that would ban the care of transgender children.
"We now see the same argument being flipped on its head when it comes to legislation about parents making medical decisions for their children," she said. "If parents have rights, if parents are going to have the right to remove books and change the entire educational curricula in schools, then parents should also be able to have the right to make individual decisions about the medical care that's most appropriate for their for their children."
Experts and educators feel it's up to the community to call their lawmakers and present them with facts that could help them possibly change their minds about the legislation they vote on.