Gov. Cox pens 5,000-word essay on why he signed DEI bill

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Utah Gov. Spencer Cox penned a 5,000-word essay laying out why he signed a bill last month that would substantially rework diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in state colleges and universities.

On his Substack, the Republican governor published Friday a post titled, “An accounting of my actions on DEI,” which delves into his thoughts on the problems with DEI and details on why he supported House Bill 261.

Cox signs transgender bathroom bill, anti-DEI bill

“While nuance is a foreign concept in the politics of today, I have not given up hope that explaining the thinking behind specific decisions I make – even those with which you may disagree – will help you understand the spirit with which I have recently taken those actions,” the governor wrote.

HB261

Cox signed H.B. 261, known as “Equal Opportunities Initiatives” on Jan. 30, after Utah lawmakers passed the legislation with a veto-proof majority.

The bill reworks DEI programs in state colleges and universities, replacing them with Student Success Centers, which must be open to all students, regardless of their identity characteristics, such as race, gender or sexual orientation.

The bill also bars institutions from requiring new hires to sign “diversity statements” and requires that people not be treated differently based on their identity.

Critics of the bill said that revamping these programs would bring unintended consequences and send the wrong message to students who currently find support in them. Utah Democratic Party Chair Diane Lewis rebuked the governor for signing the controversial legislation.

“Rather than placing common sense and good public policy over red meat culture wars, he has completely caved to the right wing of the Republican party in an effort to keep his political career alive,” Lewis said in a statement.

In his essay, Cox defended the bill for maintaining support for struggling students, noting that other states have recently cut millions in funding for DEI programs and banned diversity statements without providing an alternative framework for helping students.

The governor’s problem with DEI

In his Substack post, Cox said usually when he asks someone upset by the bill if they’ve read it, they generally say they haven’t.

“Instead they tell me they have seen the headlines, a tweet, or read a newspaper article … Too often disingenuous media reports, and especially social media, are terrible places to have honest discussions about DEI. Any criticism of DEI programs are dismissed as made-up culture battles or, worse, signs of racism,” he wrote.

While saying he supported efforts to improve diversity, the governor expressed concern about what he described as the divisive ideas behind DEI that have changed the landscapes of many American institutions, from elite colleges to media companies, over the last several years.

He noted several times in the essay that the “E” in DEI stands for equity, not equality. Whereas DEI seeks the equality of outcome, the governor said, he’s focused on equality of opportunity.

“We used to aspire towards the dream of Martin Luther King Jr. of a future where our children ‘will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character,’” Cox wrote.
“Now, Americans are accused of systemic racism for quoting these same immortal words of Dr. King. Up is down.”

Talking past each other

In parts of his essay, the governor quoted long exchanges with reporters from a December press conference, seeking to clarify quotes about DEI and diversity statements that he said were later taken out of context.

He also compared the quotes of a queer University of Utah professor who spoke out against HB261 with the words of the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Katy Hall (R-South Ogden). His point was to show how they used nearly identical language to call for helping all students no matter their background, yet they were on different sides of the issue.

“I’m afraid that in our shouting, we have stopped listening to the actual words we are saying,” Cox wrote. “Unfortunately, the conflict entrepreneurs are desperate for the latest click, and as we know from social media algorithms, nothing sells better than anger.”

He continued: “At the core of the issue is this simple question: Can you be supportive of diversity and still raise concerns with the way in which $3.2 million in DEI operations are administered? If the answer is no, then I’m afraid many of us, myself included, will forever be cast as hypocrites, racists, or worse.”

Yet, the governor ended the piece on a positive note, expressing gratitude for the Utahns working to make the state more inclusive. He also thanked Utahns of color for continuing to educate him on the difficulties they face.

“We have much to learn from each other, and I hope to be a better elected representative for all Utahns no matter their political beliefs or personal backgrounds,” Cox wrote.

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