WASHINGTON – The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People released a formal travel advisory for Florida. Since Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has taken active measures to eradicate Black history and limit diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the state’s schools, the advisory directly responds to these policies.
In the official travel notice, “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,” NAACP President Derrick Johnson made this statement.
“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.”
“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.”
— NAACP President and CEO @DerrickNAACP
Take a stand with us. https://t.co/zsgLbNYL8t
— NAACP (@NAACP) May 20, 2023
The Florida State Conference of the NAACP initially submitted the travel advisory to the Board of Directors. The persistent assaults on civil liberties by the Governor and his legislature have prompted the NAACP to consider adopting this advisory seriously.
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“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,” chairman of the NAACP board Leon Russell said.
“We will not allow our rights and history to be held hostage for political grandstanding. The NAACP proudly fights against the malicious attacks in Florida, against Black Americans. I encourage my fellow Floridians to join in this fight to protect ourselves and our democracy.”
The NAACP, in partnership with the American Federation of Teachers’ Reading, Opens the World program, recently donated 10,000 books to 25 predominately Black communities across the state in response to Gov. DeSantis’ so-called leadership in March, which drove the state to reject students’ access to AP African American studies course.
The majority of the donations were of books that have been outlawed in the state. To ensure that its members have access to diverse reading materials, the NAACP has long advocated for local chapters and youth councils to establish community libraries.