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Four years ago, as the murder of George Floyd rocked the nation with racial justice protests, many public agencies and large corporations responded by beefing up their diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and offices, adding staff and plastering their equity goals on marketing materials.
But a little over four years later, and at least four public agencies in Oregon—three state agencies and one city of Portland agency—have experienced upheavals in their DEI departments. It’s enough of a trend to merit a roundup.
Below are five government agencies that have been roiled by DEI-related controversy this fall and winter. All of the upheaval was first reported by WW unless otherwise noted.
OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY
In June, OHA director Sejal Hathi fired the agency’s longtime head of equity and inclusion. Hathi didn’t give a reason. In July, The Lund Report revealed that fired equity director Leanne Johnson had filed two complaints alleging widespread discriminatory practices across OHA.
PORTLAND PARKS & RECREATION
All three members of the DEI team for the parks bureau were placed on leave this September. The departures left only the manager of the team in place. City officials declined to offer any details about what occurred to prompt the exits.
OREGON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
In October, the former diversity, equity and inclusion coordinator for Oregon Parks and Rec alleged in a Marion County Circuit Court lawsuit that the agency engaged in “unlawful employment practices.” Julie Graves alleges that after she made a presentation to agency employees in the state’s eastern region, in which she pointed out that there were cultural differences between different parts of the state and DEI training should acknowledge those differences, the agency fired her.
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY
In October, The Oregonian reported that ODF had received a dozen complaints, some from staff, that alleged the agency wasn’t taking the issues of diversity, equity and inclusion seriously. After the agency’s director put his second in command, Mike Shaw, on leave in August, right-leaning news outlets speculated Shaw had been the target of DEI crusaders. In fact, as Willamette Week first reported in November, Shaw had been fired after an internal investigation determined he’d had a sexual relationship with a female subordinate.
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Two top leaders at ODE’s Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion went on leave earlier this month. It’s not clear why assistant superintendent Deborah Lange and Mariana Praschnik-Enriquez, the director of the EDI office, went on leave. The agency declined to comment, citing personnel matters.