Y’all Means All: Defining “Multicultural Education” in an Age of DEI Backlash

This paper summarizes a poster presentation that introduced diverse definitions of multicultural education from leading scholars including James A. Banks, Sonia Nieto, and Gloria Ladson-Billings. It prompts viewers to reflect on challenges in implementing multicultural practices, especially in Texas, where bans on DEI offices and critical race theory exist and erode the aims of an emancipatory education. Multicultural education embodies strategies promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in educational settings, aiming to foster cultural competence and critical consciousness among students. Despite challenges like curriculum standards and political tensions, defining multicultural education through varied perspectives empowers educators to sustain inclusive practices. The interactive aspect invites viewers to contribute, fostering understanding and commitment to multicultural education in Texas and beyond.