Judge Blocks Mississippi’s DEI Ban & Preserves Classroom Discussions Vital to Minority Students

A federal judge has temporarily blocked key parts of Mississippi’s ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices in public schools, halting provisions that would have barred discussion of “divisive concepts” related to race, sex, gender identity, and national origin. U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate wrote that the law is “unconstitutionally vague, fails to treat speech in a viewpoint-neutral manner, and carries with it serious risks of terrible consequences with respect to the chilling of expression and academic freedom.” His preliminary injunction ensures that schools across the state can continue DEI programs and discussions while the lawsuit proceeds.

The lawsuit, filed by teachers, parents, and students, argues the law violates First and Fourteenth Amendment rights. With class action claims added, the ruling now protects educators and students statewide. Advocates say this decision preserves the ability to teach crucial histories and perspectives, especially for minority children who risk losing access to lessons affirming their experiences. Jarvis Dortch of the ACLU of Mississippi praised the ruling, saying, “The Court sees the law for what it plainly is — an attempt to stop the proper exchange of ideas within the classroom.”

Plaintiffs argued the law left teachers and students confused about what they could say. Cliff Johnson, a University of Mississippi law professor, testified that topics such as the Civil Rights Act, Japanese internment, or the murders of Emmett Till and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. could be considered prohibited. “I can teach my class as usual and run the serious risk of being disciplined, or I could abandon something that’s very important to me,” Johnson explained. For minority students, silencing such discussions would erase critical truths about U.S. history and deny them the opportunity to learn in an environment that validates their identities.

Meanwhile, the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office argued public employees have no First Amendment rights when teaching and that the law targets institutions, not individuals. But for students, especially children of color, the law’s restrictions could mean growing up in classrooms stripped of honest conversations about systemic racism and inequality. Wingate’s ruling ensures, at least for now, that these young learners remain exposed to histories and ideas vital for shaping their sense of self and civic understanding.

Link: NBCNews