In a bold move that has intensified the ongoing debate over diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in Wake County Public Schools, Jessica Lewis, Vice Chair of the Wake County chapter of Moms for Liberty, has announced the group’s readiness to take significant action if the district does not comply with a recent federal mandate to dismantle DEI initiatives, including the Office of Equity Affairs. Lewis has also called for the resignation of school board member Sam Hershey, further fueling the controversy.
The federal directive, issued by the U.S. Department of Education, requires public schools to eliminate all DEI programs within 14 days. This mandate has sparked a nationwide discourse on the role and impact of DEI efforts in educational settings. In Wake County, the directive has become a flashpoint, with Moms for Liberty leading the charge against the district’s DEI programs.
Jessica Lewis, a parent of two children in the Wake County school system, has been a vocal critic of DEI initiatives. At a recent school board meeting, she stated, “Diversity, equity, and inclusion is toxic. DEI attacks the integrity of our educational system.” Lewis argues that such programs create division rather than unity and has urged the district to comply with the federal order promptly.
In addition to advocating for the removal of DEI programs, Lewis has called for the resignation of school board member Sam Hershey. Hershey recently made headlines for his passionate defense of DEI initiatives, during which he criticized opponents as “mediocre white men” who have historically benefited from systemic biases. His remarks have drawn both support and condemnation from various community members.
The Wake County chapter of Moms for Liberty, under Lewis’s leadership, has expressed its determination to escalate the issue if the district fails to act. Potential actions include legal challenges and efforts to withhold funding from the district. The group has been actively mobilizing parents and community members, encouraging them to voice their concerns and demand compliance with the federal mandate.
This development comes on the heels of heightened tensions surrounding DEI programs in educational institutions nationwide. The debate in Wake County reflects a broader national conversation about the role of DEI in schools and the implications of federal directives on local educational policies.
As the situation unfolds, the Wake County community remains divided. Supporters of DEI programs argue that they are essential for fostering an inclusive and equitable learning environment, while opponents, like Moms for Liberty, contend that such initiatives are divisive and undermine educational integrity.
The coming weeks will be critical in determining the future of DEI programs in Wake County Public Schools. The district’s response to the federal mandate and the actions of advocacy groups like Moms for Liberty will undoubtedly shape the educational landscape and set precedents for how similar disputes are handled across the country.
For more in-depth coverage and updates on this developing story, stay tuned to The Bull City Citizen, your trusted source for local news and community affairs.
