February is Black History Month, but students at Florida A&M University (FAMU) say promoting events has been challenging because the university’s approval process flags certain words.
Aaliyah Steward, a student finishing up her final year at FAMU’s College of Law, says she has faced obstacles while trying to publicize the month’s events for the Black Law Students Association, WKMG News 6 reports. Steward claims that a review of event flyers flagged terms such as “black,” “affirmative action,” and “women,” preventing their broadcast or publication.
“We couldn’t use the word ‘black’ in Black History Month. We would have to abbreviate it,” Steward said, per News 6. “I was very angry and baffled because this is a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), and for them to say we can’t use the word ‘black’ was kind of insane.”
Why FAMU Is Restricting The Word ‘Black’
According to the outlet, Florida’s State Board of Governors, which oversees the state’s 12 public universities — including FAMU, the only public HBCU in the state — voted in 2024 to prohibit the use of state or federal funds for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. The other three HBCUs in Florida are private, per HBCU Connect.
The move aligns with a law, Senate Bill 266, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, News 6 noted.
According to a Jan. 17, 2024, news release from the Florida Department of Education, the policy prohibits Florida College System institutions from using state or federal funds to run programs that classify individuals by race or sex to provide differential or preferential treatment.
“Higher education must return to its essential foundations of academic integrity and the pursuit of knowledge instead of being corrupted by destructive ideologies,” Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. said at the time. “These actions today ensure that we will not spend taxpayers’ money supporting DEI and radical indoctrination that promotes division in our society.”
News 6 reached out to FAMU officials regarding Steward’s concerns. While the university did not deny the claims, officials said in a statement that they were simply complying with state law.
“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,” they said, per the outlet.
Officials added in their statement to News 6 that FAMU is “committed to fostering a campus community that encourages the free exchange of ideas while ensuring an environment of mutual respect, safety, and awareness.”
Steward, who is waiting to hear back from university officials after resubmitting a Black History Month flyer without abbreviations, says the limitations feel like a form of censorship.
“I just don’t want us to be censored this way. Not being able to use the word ‘black‘ is very frustrating,” she said, News 6 reports.