Texas’ DEI bans: What to know about the term and the debate

The Capitol dome is seen from the north side of the complex in Austin on March 18. (Credit: Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribune)

The term DEI — short for diversity, equity and inclusion — typically refers to efforts that public and private institutions employ to comply with longstanding laws that prohibit discrimination based on characteristics like race or sex.

But the term has become highly politicized in recent years. The current division over DEI is partially fueled by the lack of a standard definition for the term.