Under Ron DeSantis, Florida has become an unfriendly, uninviting and fearfully hostile state for Black people.
The Florida Governor has used bullying and fascist tactics to strongarm his will across the Sunshine State, with a particular focus on whitewashing and eliminating Black history and impeding equitable progress by attacking and destroying DEI efforts.
His policies have given rise to book bans, voter intimidation, limitations on abortion rights, horrendous educational reform, anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment and the elimination of DEI efforts at colleges and universities.
It’s a frightening movement that we have detailed numerous times, each time calling on sports, and Black athletes in particular, to take action against what is being done in Florida.
It’s so bad that last May the NAACP issued a formal travel advisory for the state of Florida.
“Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals,” wrote the NAACP. “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.”
Some athletes, like Coco Gauff, F1 superstar Lewis Hamilton and basketball Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade, have spoken out against the ridiculous “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Wade even moved his family out of the state for fear of what could happen to his daughter.
But very few superstar athletes if any have spoken out publicly against DeSantis’ anti-DEI efforts and the attack on Black culture through his foolish “Stop WOKE Act” policies, much less initiate a rallying cry to take action against the fascist regime DeSantis has crafted.
That is until Sunday when one of the greatest athletes in Florida sports history decided to take a stand.
Responding to the decision by his alma mater, the University of Florida, to shutter its DEI office and eliminate all DEI-related positions to comply with DeSantis’ policy mandating the end of all such programs/efforts at state-funded colleges and universities, Smith vented his thoughts on Twitter/X.
— Emmitt Smith (@EmmittSmith22) March 3, 2024
“I am utterly disgusted by UF’s decision and the precedent that it sets,” wrote Smith. “Without the DEI department, the job falls to the Office of the Provost, who already has their hands full, to raise money for the university and continue to advance the academic studies and athletic programs. We cannot continue to believe and trust that a team of leaders all made up of the same background will make the right decision when it comes to equality and diversity. History has already proven that is not the case.
“We need diverse thinking and background to enhance our University and the DEI department is necessary to accomplish those goals.
“Instead of showing courage and leadership, we continue to fail based on systemic issues and with this decision, UF has conformed to the political pressures of today’s time.”
But most impressively, Smith called on “minority athletes” to recognize what’s going on in Florida and take action.
“To the MANY minority athletes at UF, please be aware and vocal about this decision by the University who is now closing the doors on other minorities without any oversight,” he wrote. “And to those who think it’s not your problem and stay on the sidelines and say nothing, you are complicit in supporting systemic issues.”
Yes Emmitt! Preach!
