The NAACP is pressuring black athletes to boycott Florida colleges. The pressure is in response to the University of Florida and other state institutions eliminating their DEI programs.
The acronym DEI stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion or, in other words, using skin color or other demographics in hiring practices. In other words, affirmative action.
Earlier this year, the Florida Board of Governors passed a law limiting public funding for DEI.
In doing so, they defined such practices as “any program, campus activity, or policy that classifies individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation and promotes differential or preferential treatment of individuals on the basis of such classification.”
NAACP Says Florida Is Anti-Black, Racist
In a letter addressed to current and future black athletes, the NAACP contends that Florida and Governor Ron DeSantis are on a mission to ‘devalue Black America.’
The opening paragraph reads like a “Squad” member’s journal, devoid of facts but rich in racial demagoguery.
“From racist voting policies, to unraveling reproductive freedoms and attempting to rewrite Black history, DeSantis has waged war on Black America,” they write. “Now, as a result of his administration’s anti-Black ideals, all state-funded
universities in Florida will be forced to dismantle their diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.”
“To all current and prospective college student-athletes – the NAACP urges you to reconsider any potential decision
to attend, and compete at a predominantly white institution in the state of Florida,” the organization continues.
“This is not about politics. It’s about the protection of our community, the progression of our culture, and most of
all, it’s about your education, and your future.”
DEI Is Racist
DEI operates under the guise that it is fair to certain races, genders, and sexual persuasions because they are perceived to be owed something by society.
You can see it in the NAACP letter itself. They’re practically arguing for segregation in Florida schools by telling black athletes not to attend white schools.
“Florida’s rampant anti-Black policies are a direct threat to the advancement of our young people and their ability to compete in a global economy,” NAACP President and CEO, Derrick Johnson added in a statement. “Diversity, equity, and inclusion are paramount ensuring equitable and effective educational outcomes.”
“The value black, and other college athletes bring to large universities is unmatched. If these institutions are unable to completely invest in those athletes, it’s time they take their talents elsewhere.”
He added, in reference to a letter they explicitly state is not “political,” that: “The NAACP will remain unwavering in our efforts to hold Governor Ron DeSantis, and all oppressive elected officials accountable for their attempts to unravel our democracy.”
Eliminating racist policies like DEI from schools and universities is not an unraveling of democracy.
“The point was to end discrimination, not replace it with different discrimination,” X CEO Elon Musk has written on DEI in the past.
Emmitt Smith Railed Against Florida
As covered here at Bounding Into Sports, NFL great Emmitt Smith expressed support for the discriminatory practices involved in DEI. In doing so, he slammed his alma mater, the University of Florida.
Florida, in response to the law passed by the Florida Board of Governors, eliminated 13 full-time DEI positions and 15 administrative appointments and halted DEI-focused contracts with outside vendors.
“I’m utterly disgusted by UF’s decision and the precedent that it sets,” Smith railed. “We cannot continue to believe and trust that a team of leaders all made up of the same background will make the right decision when it comes to equality and diversity. History has already proven that is not the case.”
“We need diverse thinking and backgrounds to enhance our University and the DEI department is necessary to accomplish those goals,” he added.
Oddly enough, this isn’t the most absurd thing the NAACP has done regarding Florida in recent months.
Last May they issued a travel advisory to the black community warning them to not even travel to Florida, stating that it is “openly hostile” to black people.
“Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals,” the formal advisory stated.
“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.”
Chair of the NAACP Board of Directors, Leon Russell, lives in Tampa, Florida.
