Commentary

Missouri Woke Activists Prove The Need For Rep. Baker’s Bill

  • By Do No Harm Staff
  • March 2, 2023
  • University of Missouri School of Medicine

Woke outrage is entirely predictable. Look no further than the loud opposition to Rep. Ben Baker’s groundbreaking bill in the Missouri legislature that would roll back divisive and discriminatory DEI at medical schools. It shows the depth that woke ideology has reached in Missouri med schools – and the lengths to which radical activists will go maintain their vise-grip on medical education.

The best example is a letter from 150 students from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine. They write that prohibiting DEI mandates on campus “would discourage diversity in the health care workforce and exacerbate existing health disparities.” Actually, the bill would ensure that medical students are admitted by merit, not skin color, leading to better physicians who will provide better care for everyone.

Figure 1. Letter from University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine students to Rep. Ben Baker, p. 1.

The students also complain that “decreasing the diversity of our student body would additionally put our school’s accreditation at risk.” This is fearmongering at its finest, and it shouldn’t sway state lawmakers.

The students conclude by demanding that state lawmakers “protect our school’s right to require DEI education.” Lawmakers should do exactly the opposite, and restore medical education that’s focused on medicine, not woke demands and indoctrination.

There are many more messages from woke activists. Yet they’re only proving the point that divisive ideology should be driven out of medical school. The quality of education and patient care depends on it. No wonder the Missouri legislature is moving forward with Rep. Baker’s common-sense bill.