BLACK POWER:...In Letter, NAACP Puts Florida Colleges On Notice...All Black Athletes Told To Reconsider Playing In Sunshine State...Blame Ditzy Republican Gov. DeSantis...It's Been Coming...

 

By DUARDO PAZ-MARTINEZ

McALLEN, Texas |...Yeah, what would Alabama, Georgia and those vaunted, Power 5 schools in the acclaimed Southeast Conference be without Black athletes? Not much. They'd be Texas Lutheran, Texas-El Paso, Tarleton State, just to name a few Texas schools not quite in the same class.

It's been something of a thing to think about, what with our horrible racist politics dancing across the country - nowhere more excitable and ridiculous than in Florida, where Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has played strongman against all things not white or benefitting whites.

The National Association for the Advancement Of Colored People (NAACP) is fighting back.

This from a report on espn.com: [ The NAACP asked Black student-athletes to reconsider their decisions to attend public colleges and universities in the state of Florida, in response to the University of Florida and other state schools recently eliminating their diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

In a letter sent to NCAA president Charlie Baker and addressed to current and prospective student-athletes Monday, NAACP president and CEO Derrick Johnson wrote, "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."

Last year, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that prohibits the use of state funds for any DEI programs. As a result, the University of Florida announced on March 1 it had closed the Office of the Chief Diversity Officer, eliminated 13 full-time DEI positions and 15 administrative appointments and halted DEI-focused contracts with outside vendors.

Other schools, such as North Florida and Florida International, have also recently shuttered DEI programs.

NFL Hall of Famer and Florida great Emmitt Smith also spoke out, voicing his disgust at UF's decision and asking minority athletes at UF to "be aware and vocal" about the decision.

In a statement, the NAACP's Johnson said, "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." ]

The letter may be couched as not being "about politics," but it damned well is, and we're more than okay with it. What would U. of Florida (Emmitt Smith) and Florida State (Deion Sanders) and the U. of Miami (Michael Irvin) be without Black players? Good Lord, their histories on the playing field and basketball court were written by Black players. Beyond that, well, Cubans have made up more than their share of starting players on all three of those school's baseball teams. Alex Rodriguez ring a bell?

The story flashed on ESPN yesterday, but it will most certainly be picked up by the mainstream news media, like the Associated Press. Look for it, on crazy angles, of course, from Right Wing outlets.

Florida is the state where more than a few politicians recently characterized slavery as being "of great benefit" to the Black community.

This should be interesting.

We can almost hear FOX News and other far right news outlet Talking Heads damning the NAACP and Black players for being ungrateful and biting the hand that's fed them.

But it would turn college sports upside down if this ballooned and players actually looked to cleaner, greener pastures to display their talents.

Colorado looks even better after this. Right, Coach Prime?...

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