(WiredJA)- The NAACP issued a formal travel advisory for the State of Florida in the US, warning people of colour that the state has become “hostile to Black Americans” under the present leadership of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s (R).
The travel advisory says:“On a seeming quest to silence African-American voices, the Governor and the State of Florida has shown that African Americans are not welcome in the State of Florida.”
“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 NAACP said in its written statement on Saturday.
“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 color regarding the hostility towards African Americans in Florida,” the group added.
The advisory points to several of DeSantis’s controversial policies, including legislation he signed on Monday to prohibit colleges from spending public funds on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
“ 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 color regarding the State’s hostility towards African Americans. ”
“Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals,” the NAACP said. “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.”
Under DeSantis, Florida has banned the teaching of critical race theory – which acknowledges systemic racism is a part of American history and challenges the beliefs that allowed it to flourish.
The governor said the concept would teach children “the country is rotten and that our institutions are illegitimate.” He also passed legislation barring instruction that suggests anyone is privileged or oppressed based on their race or skin color.
The DeSantis administration also blocked a preliminary version of a new Advanced Placement course on African American studies, with Florida’s Department of Education saying it “significantly lacks educational value.”
The NAACP said DeSantis’ actions are “in direct conflict with the democratic ideals that our union was founded upon.”
The Florida governor also previously signed the Stop WOKE Act, restricting how workplaces and schools can discuss race during required training or instruction, and blocked an Advanced Placement African American Studies course in the state’s public schools, claiming it lacked “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,” NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson said in a statement.
Florida heavily relies on its immigrant population, which constitutes over one-fifth of its residents. Alarming statistics reveal that in 2018 alone, 4.5 million immigrants, accounting for 21 percent of the population, called Florida their home.
Compounding the concern is the fact that one in every five Florida residents is an immigrant, highlighting the significant presence and impact of these individuals on the state’s social fabric and economy. Furthermore, one in eight residents consists of native-born U.S. citizens with at least one immigrant parent, further underscoring the intermingling of immigrant and native-born populations.
Approximately 4.5 million Caribbean immigrants resided in the United States in 2019, representing 10 percent of the nation’s 44.9 million total foreign-born population. Close to 90 percent of immigrants in the United States from the 13 Caribbean countries and 17 dependent territories come from one of four countries: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Haiti.
The Caribbean is the most common region of birth for the 4.5 million Black immigrants in the United States, accounting for 46 percent of the total. Jamaica (16 percent) and Haiti (15 percent) are the two largest origin countries for Black immigrants.
