Photo Courtesy of the NAACP website
The NAACP justly issued a formal travel advisory warning for all of Florida in response to racist Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis’ attacks on African Americans.
The racist thought the NAACP requesting the issuing of a travel advisory was a joke, but now here it is.
DeSantis is abusing his role to abate the Black community’s power and strip away African Americans’ fundamental rights.
Exhibit the DeSantis administration defunding diversity, equity and inclusion programs at all state universities to stop the “woke agenda, knowing damn well these programs will do everything to prevent his re-election.
“Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals,” the NAACP’s statement read. “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.”
DeSantis even prohibited schools from teaching Critical Race Theory and banned Advanced Placement (AP) African American studies courses in high schools.
If that doesn’t say, “Let’s prevent white people from feeling bad about enslaving Blacks and creating laws strictly to keep Blacks from being seen as humans and American citizens solely because of their skin color,” what will?
“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,” Derrick Johnson, NAACP President & CEO, said. “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 Florida Immigrant Coalition and Equality Florida also issued travel advisories, warning people to avoid Florida due to Gov. DeSantis’ discriminatory policies.
“Travel to all areas of Florida should be done with extreme caution as it can be particularly unsafe for people of color, individuals who speak with an accent, and international travelers,” the coalition’s statement read. “Due to unconstitutional legislation supported by Governor Ron DeSantis and introduced by Legislative Leadership, every county in Florida poses a heightened risk of harassment, possible detainment, and potential family separation based on racial profiling.”
The statement warned those who could not provide immediate proof of U.S. Citizenship to steer clear of the state to avoid facing the consequences like “arrest for operating a vehicle” or reduced access to health care.
“Naturalized and U.S. Citizens of African, Latin-American, Central American, Native American, Asian and Pacific Islander descent are not immune from racial profiling, heightened scrutiny and false arrest.”
Since DeSantis enacted the “Don’t Say Gay” Bill, which prohibited public school teachers in Florida from teaching sexual orientation and gender identity, the LGBTQ+ community has had it out for the disgraced governor.
Equality Florida issued its travel advisory right after DeSantis enacted the offensive law.
“Taken in their totality, Florida’s slate of laws and policies targeting basic freedoms and rights pose a serious risk to the health and safety of those traveling to the state. We regret that these attacks have already led many to flee the state and are driving others to consider relocation. And, in a state whose economy is fueled by visitors from around the world, it is with great sadness that Equality Florida has had to take the extraordinary step of responding to inquiries by issuing an official advisory warning about the risks of travel to the state.”
If these laws don’t prove that DeSantis hates anything not white and straight, the legal battle with Walt Disney World should prove it. After the Central Florida theme park blocked the governor’s newly appointed board members from having total control over the company through the long-lasting King Charles III clause, DeSantis immaturely threatened to impose taxes on hotels near the Walt Disney World’s property, add tolls to roads leading to Disney’s property and said he might build a prison near their theme park, which would decrease tourism.