Sometimes you can’t make this stuff up. On Sunday, the head of the NAACP issued a “travel advisory” to black Americans to stay out of Florida.
“The travel advisory comes 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 longstanding civil rights group said in a statement.
“Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals. 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.”
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NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson added in his own statement, “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.”
“He should know that democracy will prevail because its defenders are prepared to stand up and fight,” he said. “We’re not backing down, and we encourage our allies to join us in the battle for the soul of our nation.”
Then came the oops.
It turns out that Leon Russell, chairman of the NAACP Board of Directors, lives in Tampa.
Christian Ziegler, chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, said they would help Russell abide by his group’s advisory.
“The CHAIRMAN of the @NAACP lives in Tampa, FLORIDA! True leadership is being willing to do what you ask others to do … time to step up and MOVE,” Ziegler tweeted.
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“If you think our state is so bad, the @FloridaGOP will help with moving costs.”
Karen Towns, co-chairwoman of the NAACP and a member of its board, enjoys vacationing in Clearwater, according to a report from The Daily Signal. The outlet posted a photo from social media showing Towns and a man standing on Clearwater’s beach with one of its signature sunsets in the background.
Among other Republicans who criticized the NAACP are Rep. Byron Donalds and the Chair of The Hillsborough GOP, who are both black.
“I don’t even know what the NAACP is talking about. This is silly, and it’s dumb. It’s political. It makes no sense,” the Naples Republican said during an interview on Fox News on Monday.
“We should be focused on making sure people actually have the opportunity to achieve, which Florida is actually doing and thriving in way better than other states, let’s say New York or California or Washington state,” Donalds added.
“We’ve got to get past this stuff. We can’t be using race to weaponize our politics and weaponize our media. It’s disgusting and it’s got to stop.”
“The only hostility I feel is inflation hitting my pocketbook because that inflation is hostile,” Donalds continued. “When the price of food is up, the price of gas is up, the fact that fentanyl is coming into every community because of Joe Biden … maybe the NAACP should be focused on that. Because that is hostile.”
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“As the first black female Chair of the Hillsborough County Republican Party, I find it rich that the NAACP in Hillsborough County is putting out “travel advisories,” telling people not to come to Florida when the NAACP has done absolutely nothing for the black community here in Florida,” said Dana Galen, Chair of the Hillsborough County Republican Party.
“They would curry more favor if they would support the black community by helping them get employment, education, and betterment instead of attacking some unseen enemy and, once again, causing separation and division,” said Galen. “What notable act has the NAACP done for Tampa and Hillsborough County? If someone can show us the results and achievements in Tampa and all of Hillsborough County, I want to see them.”
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