RESOLUTION OF THE MISSOURI STATE CONFERENCE OF THE NAACP REGARDING THE VALUE OF DEI PROGRAMS

Whereas, Missouri’s legislature has seen an increase in anti-DEI, anti-Black inclusion in history, and pro-discrimination legislation over the last four years; and

Whereas, the Supreme Court of the United States handed down an opinion prohibiting affirmative action enrollment policies in higher education institutions; and

Whereas, public agencies are removing DEI policies and offices from their structure even without legislation requiring it; and

Whereas, colleges and universities are withdrawing or rewriting privately funded scholarships with racial criteria from the students who depended on them without providing alternative funding to those students; and

Whereas, the University of Missouri has also closed down the office charged with ensuring anti-discrimination policies are followed and required the Legion of Black Collegians to re-name their annual “Welcome Black BBQ;” and

Whereas, students in Missouri's public schools are reporting increased occurrences and severity of racially motivated bullying, hate crimes and violence; and

Whereas, school administrators seem afraid to punish students using racial epithets, physically attacking Black and multi-racial students, and hanging symbols of hate in the school halls because of backlash from white parents and culture warrior legislators; and

Whereas, Juneteenth is not considered a paid holiday in all workplaces despite being a Federal holiday; and

Whereas, Black employees continue to be paid less than their white peers for the same work and Black student enrollment and retention is decreasing due to lack of scholarships and other programs; and

Whereas, the conditions which led to the passing of the 2017 Travel Advisory in Missouri have only gotten worse; and

Whereas, the National NAACP passed a resolution supporting DEI and Anti-Racism policies;

Now therefore, be it resolved, that the Missouri NAACP fully denounces any attempt to remove or downplay anti-discrimination, anti-racism, Diversity Equity and Inclusion, or cultural sensitivity programs as evidence of racial bias on the part of the individual or organization that does so; and

Be it further resolved, that the Missouri NAACP will oppose any attempts to put into law or regulation the removal of anti-discrimination, anti-racism, Diversity Equity and Inclusion, or cultural sensitivity programs; and

Be it finally resolved, that the Missouri NAACP will seek approval to file litigation challenging the constitutionality and lawfulness of such legislation, regulations, and policies that have passed or been implemented.