Florida Student Says Black History Month Flyers Blocked by State Rules at FAMU

A Florida law student’s experience at Florida A&M University reveals how state limits on inclusion programs are turning into direct censorship, especially during Black History Month. The situation shows how political rules meant to erase conversations about identity are now silencing the very communities public universities claim to serve.

Aaliyah Steward, a final-year student at the Florida A&M University College of Law, says she faced obstacles while trying to promote events for the Black Law Students Association. According to Steward, university staff flagged specific language on flyers submitted for approval. “It was ‘black,’ ‘affirmative action,’ and ‘women’ as well,” she explained. She was told those words could not be used publicly.

The restrictions reached an absurd level. “We couldn’t use the word ‘black’ in Black History Month. We would have to abbreviate it,” Steward said. “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 A&M officials did not deny her claims when asked for comment. Instead, the university released a statement pointing to state rules. “Florida A&M University has consistently been in full compliance with Senate Bill 266 and Board of Governors’ Regulation 9.016,” the statement read. The school insisted it remains committed to free expression and an environment of mutual respect.

Yet Steward says the reality feels nothing like freedom. “I just don’t want us to be censored this way. Not being able to use the word ‘black’ is very frustrating,” she said.

In 2024, the State Board of Governors voted to block the use of public funds for programs connected to diversity efforts, following a bill signed by the governor. Those decisions have now filtered down to student organizations simply trying to celebrate history and culture.

For Steward, the impact is personal and painful. “We’re just trying to promote the core mission statement diversity and inclusion for everybody, so it’s very frustrating,” she said. What should be a time of pride and recognition has instead become a battle over basic language.

Her attempt to resubmit a flyer without abbreviations remains unanswered, leaving uncertainty over whether even the words “Black History Month” are allowed. The entire episode exposes how far these policies reach, transforming educational spaces into places where acknowledging Black identity is treated like a problem to be managed rather than a history to be honored.

Link: Click Orlando