The Muncie City Hall is lit up in colors from the transgender flag for Transgender Day of Remembrance in November 2024. (Photo: Muncie Queer Alliance on Facebook)
The Muncie City Council has passed a resolution signaling that Muncie is an “inclusive community for all residents.” As IPR’s Stephanie Wiechmann reports, members and the community say it’s in response to federal and state anti-diversity orders and proposed legislation.
Audio Transcript
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Stephanie Wiechmann
Both President Donald Trump and Indiana Governor Mike Braun have spoken against and taken action restricting diversity initiatives in business and education. Community member Charlize Jamieson urged the council to think beyond the letters D-E-I.
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Charlize Jamieson
“We need to say the words ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion.’ Because DEI – there are those who would turn that into an ugly slur, and it’s anything but.”
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Stephanie Wiechmann
The resolution says the city supports diversity programs and will be a welcoming community where everyone can, quote, live free from discrimination, harassment or fear. Republican Ro Selvey immigrated from Lebanon and says Muncie helped shape her into the teacher, an elected official she is today.
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Ro Selvey
A lot of people in Muncie helped me through when I was in college and when I was waiting tables to get my education, and then I decided to do this, and I had many people to supporting me and saying, so people like me can come to this country, they can come work hard if given the opportunity and we can give back.
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Stephanie Wiechmann
The nine member board, made up of different races and genders, unanimously approved the resolution. In Muncie. Stephanie Wiechmann, IPR news.
President Donald Trump, Indiana Governor Mike Braun and Indiana state lawmakers have spoken against and taken action restricting diversity initiatives in business and education.
Community member Charlize Jamieson urged the council to think beyond the letters D-E-I.
“We need to say the words ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion.’ Because DEI – there are those who would turn that into an ugly slur, and it’s anything but.”
The resolution says the city supports diversity programs and will be a welcoming community where everyone can “live free from discrimination, harassment or fear.”
Republican Ro Selvey immigrated from Lebanon and says Muncie helped shape her into the teacher and elected official she is today.
“A lot of people in Muncie helped me through, when I was in college and when I was waiting tables to get my education. And then I decided to do this, and I had many people, too, supporting and saying …. So, people like me can come to this country. They can come work hard, if given the opportunity, and we can give back.”
