Smith comments on Braun’s elimination of DEI

Wednesday, Jan. 15, Gov. Mike Braun issued an executive order replacing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) practices in state government with "MEI": Merit, Excellence and Innovation. Braun's executive order requires state agencies to examine policies and procedures to ensure compliance, as well as closes the Chief Equity, Inclusion and Opportunity Office created by former Gov. Eric Holcomb in 2020

State Rep. Vernon G. Smith (D-Gary) issued the following statement: 

“In one executive order, Gov. Braun has turned back the clock on centuries of progress and equity. One signature on a piece of paper has negated the marches, boycotts and speeches of far greater men and women: Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, John Lewis, W.E.B Du Bois and more. I remember the Rainbow Coalition of the 1980s when Rev. Jesse Jackson declared, ‘Our flag is red, white and blue, but our nation is a rainbow– red, yellow, brown, black and white.’ What is the harm in striving to reflect the rainbow of Indiana? Minorities in Indiana do indeed exist. 

“You cannot tell me our government does not need DEI initiatives when only 16 of 150 elected representatives are Black. Only 31 women serve in the two chambers, and not a single woman is part of Republican leadership. I can wholeheartedly say that my colleague's positions are not due to DEI, but because of their hard work and commitment to service.

“I believe in merit, excellence and innovation since we should all strive to be the best we can be. However, without DEI applied those in minority groups will not be given the chance to demonstrate that they are worthy of merit, excellence or innovation through their service. 

“The governor does not serve just a special few, but he is called by our constitution and a higher power to serve all people.”