Meeting Public Comments

Jennifer Proctor

Vote no.1. DiversityWe are all descended from immigrants unless a member of a native tribe.2. EquityWomen did not have the right to vote until 1919 and people of color were excluded and had to work harder more recently.3. InclusionChildren with disabilities did not have rights to a free and appropriate public education until 50 years ago.These difficult truths are part of our history and those who dont learn from their mistakes are doomed to repeat them. Lets ensure our students and their teachers are equipped with facts to be better prepared for the future.A mom of three Iowa public school students and teacher of 25 years in Iowa schools

Gerald Ott [REtirED]

As perturbed as I am about the law, I am as flummoxed by the tepid response among practicing teachers, their unions and associations, and parents and communities who should see these laws as an infringement on their rights to a full and complete education for their children.The Journal of Gender, Race & Justice may not last long at the University of Iowa. As the journals mission statement states, (The Journal) is not for the weak of heart or the timid in spirit. Feminist inquiry and critical race analysis are the touchstones of our endeavor. Our building blocks are new forms of analysis that reach beyond traditional conceptions of legal thought.The journal and its writers are clearly pursuing topics that the antiDEI law is meant to nullify.In a March 26, 2025, article in the journal, entitled DEI Makes America Great; Iowa Universities Are on the Wrong Track, law student Grace XXX wrote: .. In a March 26, 2025, article in the journal, entitled DEI Makes America Great; I

Rebecca Stadlman

Please vote no on this bill. It is unecessary, punitive and does not respect people who rightfully understand what DEI is, which is a positive affirmation of the value all people and what they bring to our communities.

Laura Brunsen

Vote NO on HF2123.

Mickey Rottinghaus

HF 2123 is a pathetic attempt to return us to the days before women and people of color were allowed to vote. While Iowa's citizenry continues to be mainly white, we live in a global society made up of a myriad of races and cultures. In order for Society at large to remain a peaceful place, it is critical we acknowledge, recognize, and understand we have enough in common with one another to allow us to live, learn, work, and worship together peacefully. It is only through seeing the humanity of the individual that a community can thrive. Exclusionary policies set the stage for ignorance to thrive and hatred to flourish. Please vote NO on this bill.

Angela Maier

Please vote No! DEI is an equalizer for those who are marginalized, unfairly disadvantaged. Examples include women who couldnt vote until all to recently in history, disabled children who didnt have the right to an education until 50 years ago, and more. DEI was an initiative to make Americans better, and removing it is reversing paths and making us less great, less Christian, and less American.

Jane Robinette

It was difficult to imagine how they could make the antiDEI legislation any worse, but now they have. In addition to banning (the existence and funding of) DEI offices, employees, and content, and banning the teaching and training of illdefined concepts, now they are adding stiff penalties to violations. They want to fire the employees and supervisors who failed to accurately interpret these vague provisions of law. And remove their professional licenses. And financially penalize their school districts. The "definitions" of these concepts are so slippery and broad they will simply chill all programming touching on them, which I suppose is the point. I urge these legislators to stop trying to bully everyone into believing as they do. Vote no on SF2123.