Current:Home > NewsNAACP urges Black student-athletes to reconsider Florida colleges after state slashed DEI programs-LoTradeCoin
NAACP urges Black student-athletes to reconsider Florida colleges after state slashed DEI programs
View Date:2024-12-24 00:28:05
PENSACOLA, Fla. — The NAACP urged Black student-athletes on Monday to reconsider attending Florida colleges in response to the University of Florida and other state schools recently eliminating their diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson sent a letter on Monday to current and prospective Black student-athletes of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, urging them to "reconsider any potential decision to attend, and compete at a predominantly white institution in the state of Florida."
"Florida's rampant anti-Black policies are a direct threat to the advancement of our young people and their ability to compete in a global economy. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are paramount ensuring equitable and effective educational outcomes," said Johnson in the letter, adding: "This imbalance of power and profit demands a response, particularly because these institutions reap considerable financial benefits from the very individuals they fail to stand by in matters of diversity, equity, and inclusion."
A state bill passed in 2023, SB 266, effectively bars Florida schools, colleges, and universities from spending state or federal funds to promote, support, or maintain programs that "advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, or promote or engage in political or social activism."
State schools like North Florida and Florida International also shut down DEI programs.
'Already starting to see a brain drain'
How gender and race are taught on Florida campuses will be restricted under the new law. It requires university officials to review any lessons "based on theories that systemic racism, sexism, and privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States and were created to maintain social, political, and economic inequities."
Critics are concerned that the new law could dissuade students from enrolling in Florida universities.
"We're already starting to see a brain drain from our state institutions," Matthew Lata, a professor at Florida State University’s College of Music, told the Tallahassee Democrat, part of the USA TODAY Network, last year.
'We will be here with support':Why Asian lawmakers are defending DEI and urging corporate America to keep its commitments
DEI in business and education
In education, DEI typically refers to strategies, policies, and practices that provide all students equal access to educational opportunities, regardless of their background, identity, or abilities.
When put into practice, implementing DEI strategies in education can include updating the curriculum to reflect diverse perspectives, providing teachers with training on bias, and cultural competency and making efforts to increase diversity among staff. Creating an educational environment where all students can succeed is the overall goal.
DEI-related programs in education can vary significantly from one institution to another. They can touch on everything from the hiring process to enrollment and even how curriculum is shaped.
Here are some common examples of DEI-related programs:
Diversity training for educators – Many schools and universities have started providing diversity and inclusion training for teachers, professors, and other staff, which often includes instruction on understanding bias, promoting cultural competency and teaching in a manner that respects and addresses the needs of students from diverse backgrounds.
Strategies for increasing diverse representation – The American Council on Education has outlined strategies for increasing representation in hiring practices.
Support services – Some schools provide additional support services for marginalized or disadvantaged groups, such as tutoring programs, counseling services, and resources for students with disabilities.
In higher education, the new law could affect programs that recruit and retain students and faculty from underrepresented backgrounds, and even DEI-related courses.
Contributing: The Associated Press
veryGood! (95)
Related
- Chicago Bears will ruin Caleb Williams if they're not careful | Opinion
- Kylie Cosmetics Dropped a New Foundation & Our Team Raves, “It Feels Like Nothing Is on My Skin
- Watch these firefighters rescue a dog whose head is caught in the wheel of a golf cart
- Pennsylvania’s governor says he wants to ‘get s--- done.’ He’s made it his slogan, profanity and all
- California man allegedly shot couple and set their bodies, Teslas on fire in desert
- The 'mob wife' aesthetic is in. But what about the vintage fur that comes with it?
- How Sean Lowe and Catherine Giudici Bested Those Bachelor Odds
- Tom Hollander says he was once sent a seven-figure box office bonus – that belonged to Tom Holland for the Avengers
- Olympic champion Lindsey Vonn is ending her retirement at age 40 to make a skiing comeback
- South Dakota Senate OKs measure for work requirement to voter-passed Medicaid expansion
Ranking
- Barbora Krejcikova calls out 'unprofessional' remarks about her appearance
- Who is Jelly Roll? A look at his journey from prison to best new artist Grammy nominee
- Pennsylvania’s governor says he wants to ‘get s--- done.’ He’s made it his slogan, profanity and all
- Media workers strike to protest layoffs at New York Daily News, Forbes and Condé Nast
- The Best Gifts for Men – That He Won’t Want to Return
- Queer Eye’s Bobby Berk Sets the Record Straight on Feud With Costar Tan France
- Media workers strike to protest layoffs at New York Daily News, Forbes and Condé Nast
- Michigan GOP chair Karamo was ‘properly removed’ from position, national Republican party says
Recommendation
-
Suicides in the US military increased in 2023, continuing a long-term trend
-
Kardashian-Jenner Chef Spills the Tea on Their Eating Habits—Including the Foods They Avoid
-
Map: See where cicada broods will emerge for first time in over 200 years
-
Kylie Jenner & Jordyn Woods’ Fashion Week Exchange Proves They’re Totally Friends Again
-
KFC sues Church's Chicken over 'original recipe' fried chicken branding
-
Kardashian-Jenner Chef Spills the Tea on Their Eating Habits—Including the Foods They Avoid
-
Jackson, McCaffrey, Prescott, Purdy, Allen named NFL MVP finalists
-
Map: See where cicada broods will emerge for first time in over 200 years