The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is urging black student athletes to boycott public colleges and universities in Florida because the state has rejected DEI policies.

In other words, the NAACP is willing to gamble with the futures of these young people to fight a policy that they don’t like. Any student who is lucky enough to receive a scholarship anywhere would be wise to ignore the NAACP and any other organization that’s using them to fight a political battle.

NBC News reports:

NAACP calls on Black student-athletes to boycott Florida public colleges over anti-DEI policy

The head of the NAACP is calling on Black student-athletes to reconsider their decisions to attend public colleges and universities in Florida, challenging a new state policy that bars those institutions from using government funds on diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

In a letter sent Monday to current and future student-athletes of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, NAACP leader Derrick Johnson implored college-bound Black athletes to “choose wisely.”

“Diversity, equity, and inclusion are paramount to ensuring equitable and effective educational outcomes,” Johnson said in a statement accompanying the letter, which was first reported by NBC News. “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,” said Johnson, the civil rights organization’s president and chief executive.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis last year signed a bill that largely prohibits public colleges and universities from using state and federal funds on programs commonly grouped together under the acronym DEI.

The letter explicitly states “this is not about politics,” but that’s laughable:

Dear Current and Prospective Members of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA),

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has made no effort to conceal his administration’s devaluation of Black America. From racist voting policies, to unraveling reproductive freedoms and attempting to rewrite Black history, DeSantis has waged war on Black America. 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. While the University of Florida may be the first, they will not be the last.

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. 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.

Exposure to Black educators favorably impacts the experiences of Black students. Just as an interaction with just one Black educator can increase the chances of a Black student’s college enrollment by 13%, a reduction in equity gaps and an increase in graduation rates is likely to occur when Black college students (including student-athletes) engage with Black faculty. Additionally, the experiences of African American scholars who teach at predominantly White institutions helps all students, and especially White students, by improving students’ ability to understand realities across cultures and thrive in the 21st century.

This statement from Derrick Johnson of the NAACP has multiple Democrat buzzwords:

“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. 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. 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.”

This seems awfully political.

In its letter encouraging black student-athletes not to go to Florida, the NAACP opens with a paragraph railing against DeSantis and then says “this is not about politics.” https://t.co/XF6x2vO3fb pic.twitter.com/z6YzFtvnT3

— Steve McGuire (@sfmcguire79) March 11, 2024

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