The shocking travel warning, which was made public on Saturday, claimed that “the Governor and the State of Florida have shown that African Americans are not welcome in the State of Florida” in an apparent effort to silence African-American views.
“Due to this sustained, blatant, relentless and systemic attack on democracy and civil rights, the NAACP hereby issues a travel advisory to African Americans, and other people of colour regarding the hostility towards African Americans in Florida,” the organization continued.
The declaration referred to a number of DeSantis’ divisive initiatives, including a measure he signed on Monday prohibiting colleges from using public monies for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
The Stop WOKE Act, which limits how schools can discuss race during mandated training or instruction, was also approved by the governor of Florida. He also prohibited the state’s public schools from offering an Advanced Placement African American Studies course because he said it had “educational value.”
“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 Derrick Johnson, president and chief executive officer of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People, in a statement.
Johnson continued, “Under the direction of Governor Desantis, the state of Florida has turned antagonistic against Black Americans and is directly at odds with the democratic principles upon which our union was established.
He exhorted individuals to take part in the NAACP’s “battle for the soul of our nation.” The group had stated that 23% of Florida’s public school students are black.
The state of Florida “devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by, African Americans and other communities of colour,” according to the report.
DeSantis also approved the contentious “Parental Rights in Education” bill, popularly known as “Don’t Say Gay,” which prohibits teaching students in grades K to 3 about their sexual orientation or gender identity in the classroom.
The Republican governor asserted that it is unacceptable for young pupils to talk about sex and gender identity. In opposition to explicit or distinct diversity instruction, the governor has upheld the statute.
During his law signing, DeSantis stated that “DEI is better seen as standing for discrimination, exclusion, and indoctrination.”
When the Florida NAACP chapter asked that national authorities discuss the proposed travel alert in March, DeSantis slammed it. He then remarked, “What a joke. “Yeah, we’ll see how effective that is,” someone said. “This is a ruse to attempt to achieve that. It’s just a stunt, which is fine if you want to waste your time on one. DeSantis continued, “But I’m not spending my time on your shenanigans.
According to Florida’s tourism department, the Sunshine State attracts 137.6 million tourists annually, making it one of the state’s most significant sectors. In 2021, visitors supported approximately 1.7 million jobs in Florida and contributed $101.9 billion to the state’s economy, according to the agency.
The anti-Florida travel recommendation may prompt conservative Republicans to support DeSantis as he competes against former President Donald Trump in the GOP primary, despite the NAACP’s attempt to portray him as racially prejudiced.
Race-based education is opposed by Trump’s MAGA supporters.
“This is a stunt,” wrote DeSantis spokesperson Jeremy Redfern in an email to The Post. He then forwarded a GIF of DeSantis previously labelling it a stunt.
Christina Pushaw, a political staffer to the governor, also mocked the NAACP’s warning on Twitter early on Sunday.
In her message, she said, “Does this mean no Urban Beach Week?,” adding, “Keep the travel warnings coming. In this [Miami] town, getting a dinner reservation is difficult enough.
