In May 2023, Florida’s Senate Bill 266 was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the state’s higher education system. Although the bill passed over a year ago, students have started to experience its long-lasting effects on campus.
“I feel that it can affect my major and education in particular because I won’t have a broader point of view on what I’m studying” said Giulia Scuderi, an international student and psychology major at Florida International University.
The law limits and hinders discussions about sensitive topics like gender identity in the classroom, which are included in courses like psychology, sociology and political science.
SB 266 is not the only anti-DEI bill in the country. States like Texas and Tennessee have introduced or enacted similar policies, affecting students nationwide.
Genesis is a Miami native and a junior majoring in Digital Communications and Media with a minor in Political Science. She is currently a multimedia producer. After graduation, she plans on continuing her career in multimedia production and using her skills to eventually report on Capitol Hill.
Simon is a versatile digital marketing professional specializing in social media management. Simon is currently pursuing a Digital and Interactive Media degree at Florida International University.
Bailin Jiang is a senior majoring in digital communication. Her first language is Chinese. She’s not only proficient in Chinese expression, but also has good English communication skills, and can convey information freely in different cultural backgrounds. She is passionate about all aspects of media and is particularly good at integrating Chinese and Western cultural elements into their works, showing their unique perspectives and creativity.