Amaar Zarrieff 
On Monday, May 15th, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill that essentially bans funding to DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) programs used in state colleges. This decision comes just months after DeSantis blocked the teaching of AP African American Studies in Florida public schools and less than a month after DeSantis signed a law dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill which put restrictions on the discussion of gender identity or sexual orientation from grades K-12.
During the bill signing, DeSantis also took some time to share his reasoning, stating, “DEI is better viewed as standing for discrimination, exclusion, and indoctrination.” It is frightening to see someone with this completely backward view in such a high position in the government. By banning DEI in Florida state colleges, the bill also puts a heavy restriction on how race and gender are taught on college campuses. This will impede current Floridian college students who already had plans of pursuing a degree in DEI from learning the essential curriculum for them to be successful in their future careers. The bill also forces more students to more expensive out-of-state colleges if they plan on pursuing degrees in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
“It’s disheartening to see how lawmakers aren’t recognizing the damage they are causing.” – Kyla Hubbard, FAMU Senior
The state of Florida is home to four HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). One of the largest public Historically Black Colleges, Florida A&M University, is a part of the State University System of Florida, meaning that they will most likely be affected by this bill. HBCUs were created to act as a safe space for Black students to learn alongside other students of color without fear of being persecuted due to their skin color. What makes HBCUs so impactful to Black students is that they can speak about the experience of being Black in America freely and without censorship (whether it be with professors or other students), which is exactly what DeSantis wants to ban.
“As a student of Florida Public University, this legislation threatens the existence of programs seeking to promote a sense of belonging amongst students,” said Kyla Hubbard, a True Star alumni and a FAMU senior majoring in broadcast journalism. “It’s disheartening to see how lawmakers aren’t recognizing the damage they are causing.”
A program that was supposed to be used to make workplaces comfortable for people of all backgrounds, has been spun into an evil Democratic agenda by Governor DeSantis. As DeSantis prepares his campaign for the 2024 presidential election, we must all do our part to make sure his backward ideology does not reach the entire nation.
By Amaar Zarrieff, Freshman, Howard University
Instagram: amaar.fz
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