Note: Rep. Jeffery Harness, D-Fayette, offered the following comments during the Mississippi House Democratic Caucus press conference on Feb. 25. House Bill 1193, which he references, is still pending before the Legislature.

Today, we stand together—not just as legislators or as representatives of our districts, but as children of Mississippi, as students of history and as warriors for justice. This movement is bigger than politics as usual. It is about the soul of our state, the soul of our nation, and the very principles that make America worth fighting for.

Make no mistake: House Bill 1193 is not merely another piece of legislation. It is an attack on fairness, on truth and on the values that bind us together. When our Republican colleagues claim they want a better Mississippi, the question remains: for whom? Their proposed bans on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs in our public educational institutions tell us the answer loud and clear – it is not for the majority of Mississippians. They care about diversity only when it suits them. When it comes to taking your hard-earned tax dollars or sharing the facts about our history, they remain silent.

Let’s be clear about what DEI stands for:

• Diversity means ensuring representation from all backgrounds – race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and more.
• Equity means recognizing that people start from different places because of historical and systemic barriers, and providing the resources needed for fair opportunities. 
• Inclusion means creating environments where every individual feels valued, respected, and fully able to participate without discrimination.

This bill seeks to strip our schools and universities of programs that celebrate our diverse narratives and to not acknowledge the lived realities of millions. It forbids educators from teaching the full spectrum of our shared history and attempts to erase the challenges and triumphs of marginalized communities. If we were all truly on an equal playing field, we wouldn’t see data revealing disparities in healthcare, education, wages and investments. But the truth is, our Republican colleagues do not want an equal playing field; they want to silence the voices that remind us of our collective struggle toward a more perfect union.

Let us remember: History demands that we stand and be counted. As we navigate these trying times, let us emulate our ancestors—the brave souls who fought for our children’s future and for democracy itself. House Bill 1193 is an attempt to erase, to silence and to control—a government-enforced ideology that denies the lived experiences of our people, especially when it comes to race, gender and identity.

It is no coincidence that this assault on truth occurs at a time when our nation is under threat from dangerous forces. Bills like these are part of an agenda championed by the tyrant Donald Trump and his followers—a reign of lies, division and fear that has poisoned our political discourse. To all Mississippians—regardless of party—heed this bill as a dire warning that we are witnessing the attempted slow dismantling of our democracy.

To our colleagues in the Democratic Party: This is our moment—our line in the sand. We urge a reconsideration of these measures so that Mississippi continues to progress toward a more inclusive and equitable society. We must speak out against these anti-DEI measures now, or history will remember us as cowards. And to our colleagues on the other side of the aisle, hear us clearly: You will not erase us. You will not silence us. You will not defeat us. Truth is louder than lies, and justice is stronger than oppression.

To the people of Mississippi, we say this: They want you afraid and divided. They want you to believe that this state is theirs to control, that your future is theirs to dictate. But they are wrong. Mississippi belongs to the people, and the people will have the final word.

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