NAACP Asks College Athletes, Past and Present, to Think Again About Attending Public Schools in Florida

The NAACP has bravely published an open letter asking Black collegiate athletes to reconsider their decision to attend Florida’s public universities. This comes after a state law that forbade the use of federal or state monies for diversity initiatives prompted the University of Florida to close its Diversity and Inclusion office.

The letter alerts present and potential college athletes to the negative effects of Florida’s anti-Black legislation on educational equity and is addressed to NCAA President Charlie Baker. Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP, and Leon W. Russell, chairman of the board, stressed the value of inclusion, equity, and diversity in promoting just educational results.

The NAACP’s call to action is in line with the opinions of former Gators standout Emmitt Smith, who denounced the university’s choice and warned of possible consequences for minority students. Smith encouraged players of color to express their worries on the closing of the DEI office.

Although the University of Florida claims to be committed to upholding universal human dignity, the NAACP and other opponents contend that the ruling jeopardizes initiatives to foster inclusive campus cultures.

Requests for comment have not yet received a response from the Florida governor’s office or the NCAA. Nonetheless, Governor Ron DeSantis has already stated that he is in favor of doing away with DEI initiatives, calling them “toxic” and inappropriate for public universities.

Athletes and other interested parties should reevaluate their relationship with the state’s public institutions in light of this development, which raises more general concerns about how race, sports, and education intersect in Florida.