Florida Vacation Seekers Might Want to Look Elsewhere

A Florida vacation may have to wait for a new state administration, according to the wishes of a number of U.S. social organizations – the NAACP among them. The long-respect civil rights group issues a travel advisory for Florida over the weekend, joining two other civil rights groups in warning potential tourists that recent laws and policies champion by Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida lawmakers are “openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals.” 

The warnings from organizations that advocate for Black and Latino Americans come as Florida’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, is anticipate to run for president in 2024 on the principles of the conservative agenda he has promotes there. Hopes to discourage travel to Florida and Florida vacations are implicit. 

Florida Vacation

“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,” said NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson.”Under the leadership of Governor Desantis, the state of Florida has become hostile to Black Americans and in direct conflict with the democratic ideals that our union was founded upon. He should know that democracy will prevail because its defenders are prepare to stand up and fight. We’re not backing down, and we encourage our allies to join us in the battle for the soul of our nation.”

The Florida vacation travel advisory was initially propose to the Board of Directors by NAACP’s Florida State Conference. NAACP’s collective consideration of this advisory is a result from unrelenting attacks on fundamental freedoms from the Governor and his legislative body. 

Hate Inspired: Florida Vacation

“Once again, hate-inspire state leaders choose to put politics over people. Governor Ron DeSantis and the state of Florida have engage in a blatant war against principles of diversity and inclusion and rejects our share identities to appeal to a dangerous, extremist minority,”said Chair of the NAACP Board of Directors, Leon Russell.”We will not not allow our rights and history to held hostage for political grandstanding. The NAACP proudly fights against the malicious attacks in Florida, against Black Americans. I encourage my fellow Floridians to join in this fight to protect ourselves and our democracy.”

Citations include a new law supported by DeSantis that permits gun owners to carry conceal weapons without a permit and educational guidelines that forbid discussing gender identity and sexual orientation until the 12th grade. Both concerns may affect those considering taking a Florida vacation in coming months. 

After DeSantis sign a new immigration law that would take effect in July, LULAC, the League of United Latin American Citizens, issue a Florida vacation travel warning for Florida. Days later, the announcement was made.

The Desantis Administration

The DeSantis administration is “hostile” to their neighborhoods, according to LULAC and the NAACP.

The teaching of critical race theory, which acknowledges that institutional racism is a part of American history and challenges the assumptions that permitts it to proliferate, has been outlaw in Florida under DeSantis. The governor claims that the idea would teach kids that “the country is rotten and that our institutions are illegitimate.” The governor is also battling the Walt Disney Company in courts, sparring over LGBTQ issues. 

Last month Disney sue the governor and his administration over a months-long battle being wage by the state against Disney for voicing its opinions on the state’s Parental Rights in Education law. It also alleges the recent actions of the new board threaten business operations and jeopardize Disney’s economic future.

DeSantis has back legislation that forbids teaching that implies someone is privilege or mistreat because of their race or skin color. His administration also prevents the Florida Department of Education from approving a new Advances Placement course for high school students on African American studies because it “significantly lacks educational value.”

Oxfor Economics: Florida Vacation

Oxford Economics in a pre-Pandemic survey found that Orlando-area tourism generate $75.2 billion in economic impact for central Florida — about $1,000 for every tourist.

DeSantis’ actions, according to the NAACP, are “in direct conflict with the democratic ideals that our union was founded upon.”

In cooperation with the American Federation of Teachers’ Reading Opens the World initiative, the NAACP said it donates 10,000 books to 25 primarily Black neighborhoods throughout Florida after the DeSantis administration rejected the AP African American studies course.

The majority of the donates books were titles that were forbid by the state’s increasingly onerous restrictions. To ensure that everyone has access to representative literature, the NAACP continues to urge neighborhood branches and youth councils to establish community libraries.

The Final Thought

Of equal concern to those considering a Florida vacation is the new conceal weapon law in Florida, which also stipulates that gun owners are no longer required to undergo any training before carrying a conceal weapon outside the home, was also criticizes by the NAACP. It becomes effective on July 1.

The head of the NAACP argued that such actions are “not business-attractive policies” and asked members to think about having conferences somewhere other than Florida. 

Also the NAACP has previously issue travel warnings for various states. In 2017, the NAACP issue a travel advisory for persons of color after Missouri approve Senate Bill 43, which made it more challenging for workers to substantiate their membership in a protects class like race or gender. 

The NAACP said that the new law permits unconstitutional discrimination, despite the governor’s claim that it aligns Missouri’s requirements for litigation with those of other states.