Texas State University (TXST) canceled a scheduled appearance of the Black History 101 Mobile Museum at its San Marcos campus for Black History Month 2026, prompting a First Amendment challenge from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas. The museum's founder, Khalid El-Hakim, had been invited by a campus activities director on October 13, 2025, but the invitation was rescinded on October 28 after consultation with supervisors and leadership. The ACLU's letter to TXST president Kelly Damphousse cited a 2023 Texas Senate bill banning DEI programs at public universities and the state's political climate as reasons for the cancellation, though the university denied the DEI ban was the cause.
This incident matters because it highlights the growing influence of Texas state government over arts and education, following recent legislation targeting DEI and a bill imposing severe penalties on museums for exhibiting material deemed "obscene." The Black History 101 Mobile Museum, which has visited over 1,000 institutions across 43 states, is designed to foster open dialogue about race and social justice. The ACLU argues that canceling the event based on viewpoint violates the First Amendment and stifles free speech on campus, raising broader concerns about censorship and academic freedom in Texas public universities.