If you can\u2019t use the word Black in Black History Month\u2026is it just History Month? That\u2019s the question Aaliyah Steward, a Florida A&M University law student, is asking herself after the HBCU gave her pushback for a Black History Month flyer.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When Steward submitted a flyer for an upcoming event hosted by the Black Law Students Association, she was shocked to learn that it had been flagged for using the words \u201cblack,\u201d \u201caffirmative action,\u201d and \u201cwomen.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe couldn\u2019t use the word \u2018black\u2019 in Black History Month. We would have to abbreviate it,\u201d Stewart told Orlando News 6.<\/a>\u00a0 \u201cI was very angry and baffled because this is a Historically Black College and University, and for them to say we can\u2019t use the word \u2018black\u2019 was kind of insane.<\/p>\n \u201cI just don\u2019t want us to be censored this way. Not being able to use the word \u2018black\u2019 is very frustrating,\u201d she added.\u00a0<\/p>\n After bringing her concerns to university officials, the Florida HBCU cited its compliance with state regulations governing the allocation of funds to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cFlorida A&M University has consistently been in full compliance with Senate Bill 266<\/a> and Board of Governors\u2019 Regulation 9.016. 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,\u201d the university wrote in a statement.\u00a0<\/p>\n