Among the 14 new Memorandum issued by AG Bondi is a Memo related to DEI. It states in part,

"To fulfill the Nation's promise of equality for all Americans, the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division will investigate, eliminate, and penalize illegal DEi and DEIA preferences, mandates, policies, programs, and activities in the private sector and in educational institutions that receive federal funds." 

The sentence has a footnote that provides,

"This memorandum is intended to encompass programs, initiatives, or policies that discriminate, exclude, or divide individuals based on race or sex. It does not prohibit educational, cultural, or historical observances-such as Black History Month, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, or similar events-that celebrate diversity, recognize historical contributions, and promote awareness without engaging in exclusion or discrimination."

Corporations, educational entities, and others, will likely be examining this language very carefully in the upcoming days.  The use of the word "penalize" is concerning. Where will the line be between this term and what is stated in the footnote that allows for events celebrating diversity?

For those who have not read former DAG Larry Thompson's book Quiet Counsel, I recommend it highly. He recognizes the importance of diversity when he stated, "Diversity is not just code for equity—it’s a proactive strategy to make an organization more effective."   

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