Last month, historical awareness took a hit when the Trump administration removed plaques recognizing the enslaved individuals of George Washington. In a similar vein, recent actions in Florida have sparked controversy as Florida A&M University College of Law, situated within a historically Black college, encountered limitations on speech while trying to promote Black History Month events.

Aaliyah Steward, a senior law student at Florida A&M, faced unexpected challenges while organizing events for the Black Law Students Association. During the flyer approval process, Steward was informed that certain keywords were prohibited. “The words ‘black,’ ‘affirmative action,’ and ‘women’ were specifically flagged and we were told they could not be used in our publications,” Steward shared.

The restrictions meant abbreviating "Black History Month" to "B History." This move contrasts starkly even with federal acknowledgments, as the White House under Trump still recognized the term "Black History Month."

The school cited compliance with Senate Bill 266 as the reason for these restrictions, emphasizing the importance of adhering to current regulations which seem to extend to controlling language in educational settings.

This situation raises significant concerns about freedom of speech and the broader implications of such regulations. If the mere mention of the word "Black" stirs discomfort, it prompts a reflection on the readiness of societal structures to engage with real-world issues and diversity.

For more details on this developing story, visit Click Orlando’s coverage on the prohibition of the word ‘Black’ in promotional materials for Black History Month at Florida A&M University College of Law.