**UNC Medical School Takes a Stand Against DEI and Social Justice Initiatives**
The University of North Carolina (UNC) Medical School has made the bold decision to disband its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) task force. In addition, the institution also announced that it will not adopt the task force’s recommendations on incorporating social justice initiatives into its curriculum.
After establishing the DEI task force back in 2019, UNC had incorporated DEI statements in its admission, hiring, promotion, and tenure process. However, following recent legislation from the Board of Governors, the university decided to ban such statements in February. During its existence, the task force had suggested the inclusion of topics such as “Unconscious Bias Awareness,” “Understanding and Responding to Microaggressions,” and the concept of a structurally racist American medical system in the curriculum.
This decision came about after significant pushback from organizations such as the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) and Color Us United, both advocating for free speech and a race-blind society, respectively. Reacting to their concerns, UNC confirmed that the task force’s recommendations would not be implemented now or in the future.
Color Us United President, Kenny Xu, sees UNC’s decision as a victory for the medical community. He highlights the importance of this decision being made without legislative interference, as it demonstrates the convincing arguments against DEI’s potentially harmful consequences on employees, student education, and the public. According to Xu, the next step is to extend this decision to other medical schools in the country and to ensure that DEI trainings and curricula are no longer used in UNC’s School of Medicine.
**In a Victory for Common Sense, UNC’s Medical School Rejects DEI Initiatives**
