On Wednesday, not only was NBC Nightly News the only broadcast network evening newscast to pout over Alabama joining Florida (and other states) in banning far-left Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) initiatives across government agencies and public university, but they had senior legal correspondent Laura Jarrett — daughter of longtime Obama family confidante Valerie Jarrett — do the report.
Ah-mazing.
Anchor Lester Holt had the quick set-up with a chyron of “Diversity Programs Crackdown” over his shoulder: “Alabama today became the latest state to target diversity programs at public colleges and other state agencies.”
Jarrett (seen in the photo on the left) kept it simple off the top: “Tonight the governor of Alabama signing a new law banning all diversity programs across the state’s public universities and government agencies.”
Jarrett then noted this only “passed with overwhelming Republican support” and would “to face legal headwinds soon for its broad sweep” that could take effect on October 1 and would bar any agency, place of learning, or program from “receiv[ing] state funding” if it features “any program” with a “divisive concept”.
After a reading off part of a statement from Governor Kay Ivey (R-AL) saying banning DEI would keep “taxpayer funds” from boosting anyone’s “liberal political movement” and a mangled soundbite from a state representative, Jarrett pivoted to her team: “But civil rights advocates arguing it tramples on the constitutional rights of students and faculty.”
Unsurprisingly, she trotted out a representative from the ACLU of Alabama to warn folks will “get scared” by this “incredibly vague” law and will thus “have a direct impact on DEI offices across the state.”
Notice how nowhere did Jarrett explain why there’s been a push to defund/ban DEI initiatives. Care to share any examples from workshops, Laura?
Thankfully, we have people like Christopher Rufo and LibsOfTikTok to show us examples.
Fast-forwarding past her acknowledgment of Alabama only being the latest red state to join this crusade, she touted old footage from March 6 of students “making their voices heard” with one white student proclaiming “DEI has never made me feel threatened” or “hurt.”
“Alabama schools tonight now trying to sort through the implications of how to comply with this new law and still teach,” Jarrett concluded.
To see the relevant NBC transcript from March 20, click “expand.”
NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt
March 20, 2024
6:37 p.m. Eastern[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Breaking news; Diversity Programs Crackdown]
LESTER HOLT: Alabama today became the latest state to target diversity programs at public colleges and other state agencies. Senior legal correspondent Laura Jarrett has late details for us.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Breaking News; Alabama Latest State to Ban Diversity Programs]
GOVERNOR KAY IVEY (R-AL): Agendas —
LAURA JARRETT: Tonight the governor of Alabama signing a new law banning all diversity programs across the state’s public universities and government agencies.
UNIDENTIFIED ALABAMA STAT SENATOR: SB-129 passed.
JARRETT: It passed with overwhelming Republican support, but likely to face legal headwinds soon for its broad sweep. As of October 1, any program that involves a, “divisive concept” cannot receive state funding. Republican Governor Kay Ivey saying today, “I refuse to allow a few bad actors on college campuses — or wherever else for that matter — to go under the acronym of DEI using taxpayer funds to push their liberal political movement.” The law coming after days of debate in the state legislature.
ALABAMA STATE REPRESENTATIVE BROCK COLVIN: Everyone in this room is created equal, so I thank you for bringing this, now that we have — can no longer taxpayer money go to programs to teach us that we are actually different.
JARRETT: But civil rights advocates arguing it tramples on the constitutional rights of students and faculty.
ACLU OF ALABAMA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JATAUNE BOSBY GILCHRIST: When you have a bill like this and it's incredibly vague, folks get scared. This is going to have a direct impact on DEI offices across the state.
JARRETT: Alabama only the latest in a line of states taking sharp aim at diversity programs. Florida’s Stop WOKE Act preventing companies from requiring diversity trainings, now tied up in legal challenges.
PROTESTERS N-O, NO! N-O, NO!
JARRETT: But back in Montgomery, students have been making their voices heard all month.
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA STUDENT SEAN ATCHISON: DEI has never made me feel threatened, hurt.
JARRETT: Alabama schools tonight now trying to sort through the implications of how to comply with this new law and still teach. Laura Jarrett, NBC News.
