Youngkin removes cabinet-level DEI post and bans ‘critical race theory’ from public schools

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin (R), who defeated former Governor Terry McAuliffe (D) last November in a race for national attention, used his first days in office to took active action on the issue of culture wars that brought him into office.

Some Twitter user observed Saturday that Youngkin had almost immediately removed the “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” section from the Virginia governor’s website. One user described the change, which indicates a larger change in the structure of the executive branch of the commonwealth, as “[s]thicken. “

After photos emerged that could show him wearing racist clothing while in medical school, former Governor Ralph Northam (D) created the position of cabinet-level diversity director in 2019. Looks like Youngkin has removed that cabinet post altogether.

Archived version of the Virginia governor’s website from the Northam government included a page for then-Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Janice Underwood. The Current version of the site has no such location.

Youngkin also issued executive orders affecting education policy, which voters ranked as their top issue in the November election according to the poll. NPR. One of the first of Youngkin the order banned “the use of divisive concepts, including Critical Racial Theory, in public education,” while another parent gave the authority to decide whether their child must wear a mask to school.

During the campaign, McAuliffe suffered greatly in the polls for saying during a debate with Youngkin that parents shouldn’t “tell schools what they should teach.” That exposure, along with a wave of controversial school board meetings in Virginia’s Loudoun County, fueled a fierce national debate over the critical use of racial theory and teaching. on gender and gender in American schools.

Youngkin has sworn was the 74th governor of Virginia around noon on Saturday. “To the parents, I say we respect you and we will empower you in the education of your children,” he said. said in his inauguration speech.