Texas women's basketball's Aaliyah Moore speaks out against effects of DEI ban

University of Texas students and professors have already begun to feel the effects of the recent ban on diversity, equity and inclusion offices and programs.

The closure of the Multicultural Engagement Center is perhaps one of the biggest impacts of the anti-DEI bill, and Texas women's basketball player Aaliyah Moore made it clear on her Instagram stories that she is upset with the decision.

Despite describing herself as someone who doesn't often make "statements," Moore said it was time to combine her "doing with showing."

"We needed effective mobilization when it was a bill last January, we needed effective mobilization when it was signed as law in September and the participation in conversation on the interpretation and enforcement before the Jan. 1st enactment," Moore wrote.

"Effective mobilization takes making yourself and people in power uncomfortable...please stop fighting behind your screen, get uncomfortable, and actually FIGHT."

Senate Bill 17, which prohibits colleges from using state money to provide “special benefits" to people on the basis of race, color or ethnicity; considering diversity in hiring; or conducting mandatory DEI training, went into effect Jan. 1.

MEC operations closing means that six university-sponsored student groups — the Afrikan American Affairs, Asian Desi Pacific Islander American Collective, Latino Leadership Council, Native American and Indigenous Collective, Queer People of Color and Allies, and Students for Equity and Diversity — will be shut down.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas basketball's Aaliyah Moore speaks out against effects of DEI ban