Louisville, KY – December 11, 2025 – During a heated Kentucky education committee meeting focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in public schools, Democratic State Representative Sarah Stalker of Louisville voiced strong opposition to Republican-led efforts to ban such initiatives in K–12 education. Stalker’s remarks—which included personal reflections on “white privilege”—have sparked widespread debate and backlash online amid ongoing partisan battles over how race and equity are addressed in classrooms.
During the hearing earlier this week, Stalker argued against proposed legislation that would prohibit DEI programs, emphasizing the importance of allowing students to engage in discussions about systemic advantages tied to race. “I’m going to be honest: I don’t feel good about being white every day. For a lot of reasons—because it’s a point of privilege,” she said, noting that her “whiteness” affords her opportunities not available to many in her family and community.
She went on to explain that white men operate with even greater privilege and urged lawmakers to ensure that children have space to “reflect on how the color of their skin does and does not allow them to move through the world.”
Stalker’s comments come as Kentucky Republicans—who hold supermajorities in both chambers of the General Assembly—prepare to revive a bill banning DEI initiatives in public schools during the upcoming 2026 legislative session, which begins January 6. Similar measures targeting higher education have already advanced in the state, including a bill that passed a House committee earlier this year labeling DEI as “discriminatory,” which faced opposition from students.
Proponents of the bans argue that DEI promotes division and ideological bias, while critics like Stalker contend that such efforts foster essential awareness of historical and ongoing inequities.
The remarks quickly drew sharp criticism on social media, particularly from conservative voices who labeled them divisive and self-loathing. A prominent post from the Libs of TikTok account—garnering more than 18,000 likes and thousands of shares—claimed Stalker was promoting the idea that “children should be taught to feel bad about their skin color,” referring to her as an “elected official” in a tone of disbelief. Media personality David J. Harris Jr. called the mindset “racist and dangerous,” a sentiment echoed in hundreds of reposts. Other users accused Stalker of stereotyping, with one commenter arguing that her framing of white privilege was akin to telling a person of color that “your violence comes from you being Black,” highlighting what they saw as a double standard.
Supporters, however, defended Stalker’s perspective as a candid acknowledgment of systemic issues. One user noted that calls to eliminate DEI ignore the “400-year head start” white Americans had through historical injustices such as slavery and land theft, arguing that “equality feels like oppression when you are accustomed to privilege.” Another commentator rejected the idea of teaching guilt over skin color but agreed that no one should feel inherently ashamed of their race.
The controversy underscores broader national tensions surrounding DEI in education, as states like Kentucky pursue Republican-led restrictions. Earlier this year, the Kentucky House voted to end DEI programs in public higher education, though implementation details remain under discussion.
Stalker, a former preschool teacher and advocate for early childhood education and equity, has positioned herself as a strong supporter of inclusive policies, as reflected on her campaign website.
While Stalker’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment, the hearing has intensified calls from both sides—Republicans pushing for “colorblind” curricula and Democrats warning against eliminating discussions of race. As the 2026 legislative session approaches, the debate over DEI in K–12 schools is expected to escalate, potentially shaping educational policy in the Bluegrass State for years to come.
