In an open letter released Monday, the NAACP urged black college athletes to “reconsider” any potential decisions to attend Florida’s public universities following news last week that the University of Florida would eliminate its diversity and inclusion programs office.
Gainesville’s decision comes in response to a law signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis last year that prohibits the state’s public universities from using state or federal funds for diversity programs or activities. In a March 1 memo, the university announced it would eliminate 13 positions, including chief diversity officer, and reallocate $5 million for DEI initiatives.
Monday’s letter, signed by NAACP Board Chairman Leon W. Russell and President and CEO Derrick Johnson, was addressed to NCAA President Charlie Baker and current and future college athletes. It predicts that “while the University of Florida may be the first, it will not be the last.”
Florida’s six public universities – the University of Florida, Florida State University, University of Central Florida, University of South Florida, Florida Atlantic University and Florida International University – compete at the FBS level.
“Rampant anti-Black policies in Florida pose a direct threat to the advancement of our young people and their ability to compete in the global economy,” Johnson said in a statement. “Diversity, equity and inclusion are critical to ensuring fairness and effectiveness The educational outcomes are critical. The value that Black and other college athletes bring to major universities is unparalleled. If these institutions cannot fully invest in these athletes, then it is time for them to take their talents elsewhere.”
The NAACP’s letter reflected the sentiment of former Gators great Emmitt Smith, who posted on March 3 that he was “absolutely disgusted by the decision by the University of Florida and the precedent it sets.”
“To the many minority athletes at the University of Florida, please take note and speak out about this decision by the university, which now closes its doors to other minorities without any oversight,” he said in the statement.
— Emmitt Smith (@EmmittSmith22) March 3, 2024
In the school’s memo announcing the elimination of the DEI office, officials wrote: “The University of Florida is and will always remain unwaveringly committed to upholding universal human dignity.”
Neither the NCAA nor the Florida governor’s office responded to messages seeking comment by press time. “DEI is toxic and has no place at our public universities,” DeSantis tweeted the day the University of Florida announced it was closing its DEI office.
(Photo: Miami Herald/Tribune News Service, Getty Images)
