When I was asked to write on this subject, I wondered whether it would fit into my column which deals with testimonies of Christian faith and teachings of the Bible. Then it dawned on me that it definitely does, as this discussion concerns the differences of individuals; the ways citizens can accomplish their life goals; and cooperation of people in all aspects of life.
DEI, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, is described by AI Overview on the internet in this way: “DEI stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion. It's a framework that aims to promote fairness and participation for all people. DEI is important for building a positive workplace culture and creating a level playing field.” It goes on to say, “DEI is a central framework for organizations that want to foster inclusive environments and celebrate diversity. It's based on the idea that recruiting and supporting workers of various backgrounds is essential to a company's success.”
The problem with those noble-sounding ideas is that it is wrong to educate and/or hire people using this “framework” instead of educating and hiring people based upon their merit–their talents, knowledge, skills and experience. Using “quotas” of people of a specific race, gender or sexual identity for college entrance or for job hiring is unfair to people who have worked to achieve their goals. It is also dangerous in some instances to have DEI “hires” working in the medical field, the airline industry, and many other areas of life in which people depend upon persons being excellent and skilled, even dedicated, to ensure safety.
Mississippi House Bill 1193, sponsored by Representatives Hood, Powell, Burch, Calvert, Keen, Tubb, and Hale, is also named the REFOCUS Act, meaning the “Requiring Efficiency For Our Colleges and Universities System” Act. I discovered when researching the subject that several other states were passing the same type bill. House Bill 1193 passed by a 74-41 vote and will go into effect July 1, 2025. The bill “prohibits public schools and postsecondary institutions in Mississippi from creating, promoting, or implementing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs.” The stated Objective “ensures that employment, academic opportunities, and student engagement are based solely on merit, qualifications, and academic performance without consideration of DEI-related factors.” The bill requires Mississippi’s public schools and universities teach and adopt gender policies stating that there are only two genders, male and female, based on chromosomal makeup. In conclusion, HB1193 eliminates DEI-related policies, training, and offices in Mississippi’s public schools and universities, mandates a strict biological definition of gender, establishes legal pathways for enforcement and penalties, and ensures institutions operate on a merit-based system without DEI considerations.
Senators Tyler McCaughn and Nicole Boyd co-sponsored Mississippi Senate Bill No. 2515 on the same subject. The conclusion of that bill is similar, in that it “eliminates DEI-focused policies in Mississippi’s higher education system, focuses on efficiency, transparency, and merit-based policies, and requires continuous monitoring and reporting to ensure compliance.” It is my understanding that the two houses formulate and vote on their versions of bills on the same subject, after which the bills go to “Committee,” where the final bill is formed and brought to be voted on again.
I am glad we live in Mississippi, where people respect biblical precepts, as those teachings support our freedom, our values, our way of life, and our promise of eternal life. God gave mankind the work ethic in the beginning. “And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” (Gen. 2:15). As for the subject of race, etc., Acts 17:26 states “God…hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation.” The gender issue is covered in Matthew 19:3, where Jesus’s answer is recorded, “Have ye not read, that He which made them at the beginning made them male and female.” It is so comforting to know that our legislature is supporting Judeo-Christian ethics in these vital areas of our lives.
People get ready! Jesus is coming soon!
You may contact me at lagnesrussell@gmail.com or 601-635-3282.
