Opinion: FAMU’s Ban of the Word “Black” Was an Error

Over-compliance with state law created self-censorship that may weaken HBCU's mission and integrity

By Aminah Crew

At the beginning of February, Aaliyah Steward, a law student at Florida A&M University, faced obstacles when promoting Black History Month events. While trying to get language a round the events approved, she was flagged during the process for using words such as “Black,” “affirmative action,” and “women.” Three days later, an interim dean at FAMU’S College of Law clarified that the word ““Black”” was never prohibited and that the incident resulted from an overly cautious staff interpretation. It's unclear what the problem was using these words to promote Black events with Black students. 

“Black,” “women,” and “affirmative action” are connected through civil rights and equality efforts where Black people and women have historically faced discrimination in education. Hence was part of the reason why Historically Black Colleges and Universities were created. Affirmative action refers to policies designed to help address those inequalities. According to FAMU officials, the university is in compliance with the state laws and in a statement, the university did not deny the claims. 

“Florida A&M University has consistently been in full compliance with Senate Bill 266 and Board of Governors’ 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.

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (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. The University recognizes that freedom of expression is fundamental to academic inquiry, personal development, and civic engagement.”

This raises a question on whether over-compliance with state law created self-censorship that may weaken HBCUs mission and integrity. The bill states that this proposal would give the Board of Governors more authority to revise or redefine the official mission of each state university, now the state could more directly control what each school is primarily focused on. 

When institutions over-comply with the government, it can reinforce the very restrictions that limit our voices. I think the controversy lies in whether institutions should strictly follow the law or resist policies that conflict with their mission. Florida is already a conservative state with an HBCU. If the institution censors students or limits expression, it raises the question of what makes it distinct as an HBCU in the first place.

“We couldn’t use the word ‘Black’ in Black History Month. We would have to abbreviate it,” said Aaliyah Steward, discussing how she felt after the struggles. “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. I just don’t want us to be censored this way.”

After this disruption, FAMU College of Law interim dean Cecil Howard emailed the college’s community that “the word ‘Black’ is not prohibited” and no such restriction “has been directed by university leadership.” 

Howard wrote that the university “quickly engaged a Florida higher education law expert,” who confirmed the word doesn’t violate Florida’s Senate Bill 266. That 2023 law banned public colleges and universities from spending state or federal money on activities that “advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, or promote or engage in political or social activism.”

“What occurred was a staff-level error—an overly cautious interpretation that went beyond what the law requires,” Howard wrote.

While FAMU officials clarified that the word “Black” was never prohibited, the incident reveals how fear of violating state law can lead to overcorrection. When compliance becomes self-censorship, especially at a Historically Black College and University, it raises deeper concerns about institutional independence and mission integrity. If HBCUs begin restricting the very language tied to their purpose, the impact of DEI rollbacks may extend beyond policy and onto identity itself.