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Absolutely — here’s your complete education on South Carolina Bill H. 3927, laid out in a clear and digestible format so you’ll be ready to speak, write, and defend your position with authority. This breakdown includes the origins, the text, supporters, critics, implications, and how it affects Charleston specifically.

🧠 What Is H. 3927?

Full Title:

“The Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity in Public Education and Public Employment Act”

Introduced By:

Rep. Doug Gilliam
Date: February 6, 2023 (Session 125) — still under debate in 2025.

Purpose:

To ban programs and practices that promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in:

• K-12 public schools

• State colleges and universities

• State-funded agencies

📄 What Does It Actually Say?

❌ Prohibitions:

1. No funding or staffing for DEI offices, coordinators, or activities.

2. No mandatory DEI training for employees or students.

3. No use of identity factors (race, gender, ethnicity, etc.) in hiring, admissions, promotions, or scholarships.

4. No teaching or promoting ideas that:

   • One race/sex is inherently superior

   • Individuals are inherently oppressive based on race/sex

   • People should feel guilt over past actions of their identity group

This is similar to bills passed in Florida and Texas as part of a larger national push to restrict DEI efforts.

👥 Supporters Say:

• DEI programs promote division by emphasizing identity over merit.

• These programs discriminate against majority groups (especially white people or men).

• Taxpayers should not be forced to fund ideological indoctrination in schools and workplaces.

• Hiring and education should be colorblind and gender-neutral — based purely on merit.

Supporters Include:

• Conservative lawmakers in SC House

• SC Freedom Caucus

• National groups like the Heritage Foundation

🚫 Opponents Say:

• DEI efforts address real systemic inequalities (not just feelings).

• Banning DEI silences important conversations about race, gender, and privilege.

• This will hurt marginalized students and workers by removing support systems.

• It's a political attack on public education and academic freedom.

• Charleston, as a historic city of slavery, segregation, and now multicultural revitalization, has a moral obligation to continue DEI efforts.

Critics Include:

• ACLU of South Carolina

• SC Education Association

• Charleston-area educators and students

• NAACP and local civil rights groups

• Charleston City Paper and Post and Courier editorials

📍 Why It Matters in Charleston

Charleston is a major target for this bill’s impact because:

1. Local Schools & Colleges

• College of Charleston, Charleston Southern, Trident Tech, and public schools all have DEI offices.

• These would be defunded or shut down.

• Cultural programs (e.g. LGBTQ+ groups, Black Student Unions, Latinx heritage events) could disappear.

2. City Government

• Charleston City has public DEI goals, community outreach, and minority hiring initiatives.

• These efforts could be restricted if state policy tightens.

3. History of Racial Inequality

• Charleston is ground zero for the transatlantic slave trade.

• Progress has been built on truth-telling and inclusive growth.

• Removing DEI reverses that progress.

🔍 Examples of What Could Be Banned

📊 Public Response

Local News Coverage:

• Charleston City Paper called it a “dangerous political stunt.”

• Post and Courier letters to the editor show mixed opinions, but many oppose the bill.

• SCETV and WPDE News report student protests and civil rights groups speaking out.

🧩 National Context

H. 3927 is part of a national movement:

• Florida’s “Stop W.O.K.E. Act”

• Texas HB 1006

• Over 30 states have introduced similar bills

It’s not isolated — this is part of a coordinated campaign to redefine education and government workplace culture.

📣 What You Can Do

1. Write to your representative: Find them at scstatehouse.gov

2. Support local DEI efforts: Attend cultural events, donate to inclusive organizations

3. Use your voice: Speak out online, in class, or in public meetings

4. Educate others: Many people don’t know what this bill does until it’s too late

📚 Sources to Know

• H. 3927 Full Bill Text – SC Legislature

• ACLU of South Carolina – Opposition Statement

• Post and Courier – Editorials and Letters

• Charleston City Paper – News Analysis

• WPDE News – Coverage of Hearings

• SCETV / SC Public Radio – Legislative News

Let me know if you want flashcards, a quiz, talking points, or a cheat sheet version of this for your presentation or prep!