Last May, Florida Gov. Ron De Santis signed a bill prohibiting the use of state money for diversity, equity and inclusion programs at state-supported universities and colleges.
As a result, the University of Florida and other schools have dropped DEI programs and eliminated staff positions associated with DEI efforts.
Now NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson is calling on Black student athletes to reconsider attending Florida schools
In a letter sent Monday to the NCAA and prospective students, Johnson wrote, "Diversity, equity, and inclusion are paramount to 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."
Texas has a similar law aimed at DEI programs. And last month the Texas NAACP asked the NCAA, NFL, NBA, MLB and others major sports organizations not to hold championship games in the Lone Star State as long as the law remains on the books.
We don't know if these boycott attempts will have much effect. And we aren't sure putting students on the spot is all that great an idea, either.
But you have to hand it to the NAACP for knowing their targets. Appeals to empathy or reason would probably fall on deaf ears in Florida and Texas. But going after sports? That just might make even those states' most stubborn elected officials sit up and take notice.