Student newsrooms at seven of Kentucky’s public universities issued a joint editorial Friday condemning proposals from the Kentucky General Assembly that would restrict or eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs from higher education in the Commonwealth.
The effort was spearheaded by the College Heights Herald at Western Kentucky University and included the Eastern Progress at Eastern Kentucky University, The Murray State News at Murray State University, The Louisville Cardinal at the University of Louisville, The Northerner at Northern Kentucky University, the Kentucky Kernel at the University of Kentucky and the Thorobred News at Kentucky State University. Each of the news organizations is editorially independent from their home university.
Although the bill appears dead as of Friday morming, the seven news organizations ask Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear to veto any such legislation that would reach his desk, and for the supermajority Republicans in the General Assembly to not consider such a bill, or to not override a veto – and to realize that efforts promoting diversity, equity and inclusion protect everyone.
The editorial was also made available to the Lexington Herald-Leader, The Courier Journal in Louisville, The Kentucky Lantern and the Kentucky Gazette.
From the editorial:
“We call on the Kentucky General Assembly to do better. We call on the General Assembly to realize that DEI initiatives and the discussion and acceptance of diversity are in the best interest of every single student, faculty and staff member at each public university campus in the commonwealth.
“Despite what certain lawmakers in Kentucky and around the nation might think, diversity is not going away. The world is moving forward, and Kentucky cannot be left behind.”
You can read the full editorial here: https://wkuherald.com/75974/opinion/editorial-defending-dei-against-legislative-threats-is-vital-to-the-future-of-kentucky/
As far as we know, it is the first time student media across these public universities have collaborated on an editorial stand.
Price Wilborn, currently the commentary editor for the Herald and the incoming editor-in-chief, led the effort