‘I Am An American’: Black Missouri Republican Rep. Questioned By Black Democrat About Ethnicity After Opposing DEI

During this week, Democrat state representative Marlene Terry yelled at Black Republican Missouri state representative Justin Hicks over his opposition to state government funding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The Republican-controlled state House voted 105-46 in favor of House Bill 6, an appropriations bill for Missouri’s departments of agriculture, natural resources, and conservation, on Thursday. The bill prohibits the departments from using funds for DEI programs, staffing, vendors, consultants, or associated programs. Funds are also blocked from initiatives that promote preferential treatment based on identity or concepts that disparities are related to oppression. During the bill’s debate, Hicks, a newly elected Republican representative, was grilled by Terry, who asked him if he had said he was “OK with the DEI measure” and if he supported government funding going towards DEI initiatives. Hicks affirmed his support for banning government funds from going toward DEI programs, adding that state government was not in the business of giving preferential treatment to any group; everyone should be treated equally under the law. When Terry asked Hicks about his ethnicity, he replied: “I identify as an American,” which received applause from some legislators present. Terry then told Hicks he was delusional, and Hicks replied that he had been elected based on his principles, freedom, and equality for all, and not by race-baiting. There are currently 111 Republican House members, and 52 Democratic lawmakers in Missouri. Terry claimed that some of her ideas are “darn good” and suggested that the system was rigged against her because her bills were not advancing.