(NewsWorthy.news) – A national civil rights organization has petitioned black student athletes to reconsider their decision to attend Florida universities in light of the state’s pushback against left-wing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) agendas.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) submitted a letter to the head of the National College Athletic Association (NCAA), claiming that their request was “not about politics” but is instead motivated by “the protection of our community.” The letter follows recent decisions by certain colleges and universities ridding their campuses of DEI programs, in line with efforts led by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The March 11 letter to Charlie Baker, president of the NCAA, was sent by the president and CEO of the NAACP, Derrick Johnson. He said in a statement that was sent alongside the letter that DEI initiatives “are paramount” when it comes to “ensuring” there is equity within higher education.
Johnson then argued that black student athletes have an “unmatched” value for “large universities,” but hinted that the elimination of DEI programs would result in colleges being “unable” to fully “invest in those athletes.” The NAACP president added that, if this is the case, black student athletes should “take their talents elsewhere.”
The letter was sent less than two weeks after the University of Florida announced the removal of its position of chief diversity officer, subsequently putting all employees in the DEI program out of work and stopping all contracts related to the agenda. The decision removed a total of 13 jobs among staff and eliminated administrative appointments to the program previously held by 15 members of the school’s faculty.
University officials noted at the time that the DEI program was gone but the institution remains committed to “universal human dignity.”
State educational institutions have begun removing DEI programs since Gov. DeSantis signed a law in 2023 that rescinds the ability for these initiatives to operate on state funding.
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