There are many things about Florida that are getting hard to keep track of, like the booming tourist industry and huge net domestic migration into the state. Despite the massive influx of people, the unemployment rate is low.
But don’t go to Florida, says the NAACP – it’s practically 1940s Mississippi. Last March it threatened to issue a travel advisory. The Governor was not impressed, “a pure stunt”:
“What a joke! […] These people would be on CNN [and] then they would end up being [spotted] vacationing in Florida! […] This is a stunt, to try to do that [….] I’m not wasting my time on your stunts.”
Now the NAACP has followed through:
From the NAACP press release:
Today, the NAACP Board of Directors issued a formal travel advisory for the state of Florida. The travel advisory comes in direct response to Governor Ron DeSantis’ aggressive attempts to erase Black history and to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in Florida schools.The formal travel notice states, “Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals. Before traveling to Florida, please understand that the state of Florida devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by African Americans and other communities of color.””Let me be clear – failing to teach an accurate representation of the horrors and inequalities that Black Americans have faced and continue to face is a disservice to students and a dereliction of duty to all,” said NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson. “Under the leadership of Governor Desantis, the state of Florida has become hostile to Black Americans and in direct conflict with the democratic ideals that our union was founded upon. He should know that democracy will prevail because its defenders are prepared to stand up and fight. We’re not backing down, and we encourage our allies to join us in the battle for the soul of our nation.”The travel advisory was initially proposed to the Board of Directors by NAACP’s Florida State Conference. NAACP’s collective consideration of this advisory is a result from unrelenting attacks on fundamental freedoms from the Governor and his legislative body.”Once again, hate-inspired state leaders have chosen to put politics over people. Governor Ron DeSantis and the state of Florida have engaged in a blatant war against principles of diversity and inclusion and rejected our shared identities to appeal to a dangerous, extremist minority,” said Chair of the NAACP Board of Directors, Leon Russell.
The Travel Advisory ominously warns:
Under its current Governor, the State of Florida has engaged in an all-out attack on BlackAmericans, accurate Black history, voting rights, members of the LGBTQ+ community,immigrants, women’s reproductive rights, and free speech, while simultaneously embracing aculture of fear, bullying, and intimidation by public officials.* * *Due to this sustained, blatant, relentless and systemic attack ondemocracy and civil rights, the NAACP hereby issues a travel advisory toAfrican Americans, and other people of color regarding the hostility towards African Americansin Florida.Please be advised that Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color andLGBTQ+ individuals. Before traveling to Florida, please understand that the State of Floridadevalues and marginalizes the contributions of and the challenges faced by African Americansand other minorities.
Apparently Florida isn’t all that hostile, at least not to NAACP administrators, as DeSantis’ press secretary tweeted:
Not everyone thinks this boycott is such a bad thing:
NAACP are no longer serious people when they pull such stunts.
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