{"id":155948,"date":"2026-02-15T00:07:27","date_gmt":"2026-02-15T00:07:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/155948\/"},"modified":"2026-02-15T00:07:27","modified_gmt":"2026-02-15T00:07:27","slug":"the-internet-is-fuming-after-this-florida-university-told-a-student-to-remove-the-word-black-from-a-black-history-month-flyer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/155948\/","title":{"rendered":"The Internet Is Fuming After This Florida University Told A Student To Remove The Word “Black” From A Black History Month Flyer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last week, anti-DEI policies had bizarre real-life consequences when a student at Florida A&M University (FAMU) was told to remove the word “Black”<\/a> from a flyer promoting Black History Month events.\"Brick<\/p>\n

Jeff Greenberg \/ Universal Images Group via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Law student Aaliyah Steward told<\/a> an Orlando news outlet that a faculty member was concerned that using “Black” on school signage would violate Florida law<\/a>, which prohibits public universities from using state funds for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.\"Person<\/p>\n

Joe Raedle \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

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Steward said that “Black History Month” could be used in promotional materials only if abbreviated to “BHM.” She added that the words “affirmative action” and “women” were also banned from use.\"Poster“I was very angry and baffled because this is a Historically Black College and University,” Steward said. “For them to say we can\u2019t use the word \u2018Black\u2019 was kind of insane.”\"Person<\/p>\n

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Initially, the school issued a statement<\/a> indicating that the faculty member’s guidance complied with state law.<\/p>\n

The statement reads, \u201cFlorida A&M University has consistently been in full compliance with\u00a0Senate Bill 266<\/a>\u00a0and 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.”<\/p>\n

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However, increased media backlash seems to have led the university to reevaluate. In a statement obtained by the Tampa Bay Times<\/a>, Cecil Howard, the associate provost and interim dean of Florida A&M\u2019s College of Law, reframed the incident as a “staff-level error” caused by the faculty member’s “overly cautious” interpretation of state law.\"A<\/p>\n

The Washington Post \/ The Washington Post via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Howard said the school subsequently consulted a higher education law expert, who confirmed that writing the word “Black” does not violate any laws. Despite the eventual resolution, Steward said her BHM event needed to be postponed because the school “virtually ignored”<\/a> her complaints until the public intervened.\"Shrubbery<\/p>\n

CRobertson \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

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Online, the situation has drawn lots of scrutiny, with many emphasizing how sad it is to see anti-Black censorship at a Historically Black University. One user said<\/a>, “Imagine planning Black History Month events and being told you cannot even use the word ‘Black.’ At an HBCU.””a HBCU told a student to take the word Black off of a flyer ? I smell Republicans,” said<\/a> another.Many wondered<\/a> how Black students could still attend FAMU after a situation like this. Others took it even further, cautioning Black people against supporting Florida’s economy entirely.\"Tweet<\/p>\n

Related: Tomi Lahren Said Something So Ridiculous About Bad Bunny That Even Her Own Comment Section Is Roasting Her<\/a><\/p>\n

While saddening, most agreed it’s hardly surprising, given Florida’s history with racist policies.<\/a>\"Tweet<\/p>\n

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What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.It’s the 100th anniversary of Black History Month<\/a> this year! Follow all of our coverage here<\/a>. Of course, the content doesn’t end after February. Follow BuzzFeed\u2019s Cocoa Butter on Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, and YouTube<\/a> to keep up with our latest Black culture content year-round.\"BuzzFeed<\/p>\n

BuzzFeed<\/p>\n

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Read it on BuzzFeed.com<\/a><\/p>\n