The assault and elimination of diversity initiatives through state and federal action has resulted in HBCU students no longer feeling empowered to use the word Black.
A Florida A&M University law student told Orlando TV station News 6 that state restrictions on DEI programs are hampering student organizations’ ability to celebrate Black History Month.
Aaliyah Steward, a third-year student at FAMU’s College of Law, said she faced pushback while promoting events for the Black Law Students Association.
“For our flyers, certain words were flagged,” Steward said. “It was ‘Black,’ ‘affirmative action,’ and ‘women’ as well.”
Steward told the TV station she was told those terms could not be used in promotional materials.
“We couldn’t use the word ‘Black’ in Black History Month,” she said. “We would have to abbreviate it. I was very angry and baffled because this is a Historically Black College and University, and for them to say we can’t use the word ‘Black’ was kind of insane.”
Florida’s 12 public universities have been barred from using state or federal funds for DEI programs following legislation signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and reinforced by the State Board of Governors through Regulation 9.016.
FAMU said in a statement to the TV station that the school remains compliant with state law on the matter.
“Florida A&M University has consistently been in full compliance with Senate Bill 266 and Board of Governors’ Regulation 9.016,” the university said in a statement. “We support and have implemented the policy direction established by the Governor, the Legislature, and the Board of Governors as it relates to DEI, and consistent with related federal court rulings.”
Steward said she is concerned about cultural censorship.
“I just don’t want us to be censored this way,” she said. “Not being able to use the word ‘Black’ is very frustrating.”
