When Schools Overreact to Anti-DEI Policies

Revered author Maya Angelou once observed that “In diversity, there is beauty and there is strength.” Yet, there are those who struggle to accept diversity as beautiful, let alone embrace it wholeheartedly. For a variety of reasons, numerous governors and state legislatures have taken action in recent years to roll back efforts to facilitate, nurture, and celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts within their jurisdictions. In some states, these rollbacks have resulted in cultures of fear and overreactions borne of that fear. In middle schools, high schools, colleges, and universities, students, staff, and faculty are now too often suffering as a result of this shift.

If you or your child is being negatively impacted by circumstances that could be characterized as either “anti-DEI” or overreactions to anti-DEI policies, know that you may be in a strong position to take action. Talk to us about your situation today by calling 888-535-3686 or by contacting the LLF National Law Firm online to learn about how we can help.

Banning the Word “Black” at an HBCU During Black History Month

A striking example of how overreactions to evolving anti-DEI policies are impacting students unfolded in February at the widely respected, historically Black University (HBCU), Florida A&M University. When students sought approval for proposed flyers related to Black History Month activities, the school flagged certain language on those flyers as prohibited. Among the words and phrases flagged were “Black,” “women,” and “affirmative action.”

Why would an HBCU prohibit its students from using the word “Black” to promote Black History Month? The school’s dean allegedly informed students that the University had been provided with a list of 37 prohibited words. If students were permitted to use these words, the school could potentially lose funding from the state. 

While it is true that a 2023 Florida law prohibits the state’s public universities and colleges from utilizing public funding on DEI initiatives, the idea that students are now prohibited from using the words “Black” and “women” (among many others) as a result is not grounded in reality. Yet, it was only after a higher education law expert clarified for the University that using the word “Black” on student activity fliers does not violate Florida law that the school walked back its concerns. The University now characterizes the situation as “A staff-level error – an overly cautious interpretation that went beyond what the law requires.”

Legal Assistance Is Available

At Florida A&M University, concerns about complying with state law led to a phenomenon known as