The NAACP has drawn widespread mockery among conservatives this week for posting an official travel advisory to the state of Florida over its alleged ill treatment of black Americans and other minority groups. The organization took issue, in part, with Gov. Ron DeSantis’s “aggressive attempts to erase Black history” in the state (never mind the fact that he just signed an African American studies bill into law that had unanimous support).
Even CNN called on NAACP president Derrick Johnson to square a Florida Chamber of Commerce statement that noted how the state is No. 1 for black-owned business and No. 2 for Hispanic owned ones with the travel notice.
“When you hear those numbers, what they are saying is, look, African- Americans and Hispanics are doing quite well here when it comes to running their own businesses and being able to make money here and being able to live decent lives. How do you -- how do you address that with this new ban?” host Sara Sidner asked.
All Johnson could do at that point was dismiss it as “propaganda language.” So, DeSantis is right to call the travel notice a “pure stunt.”
But two can play the NAACP’s game.
In a press release, GOP Sen. Rick Scott of Florida issued a travel advisory of his own.
“Florida is openly hostile toward Socialists, Communists, and those that enable them. Before traveling to Florida, please understand that the state of Florida devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by Socialists and others who work in the Biden Administration,” said the former Florida governor.
“Let me be clear – any attempts to spread the oppression and poverty that Socialism always brings will be rebuffed by the people of Florida. Travelers should be aware that attempts to spread Socialism in north Florida will fail and be met with laughter and mockery," he added.
"However, in much of Central and South Florida, the situation is far more dangerous for Socialists, as they may encounter people from Cuba, Venezuela, and other parts of Central and South America and the Caribbean who have direct knowledge of, and experience with, the horrors of Socialism," Scott continued.
🚨 NEW FLORIDA TRAVEL ADVISORY 🚨 pic.twitter.com/r9GFLzIL8x
— Rick Scott (@ScottforFlorida) May 23, 2023
The NAACP wasn't serious with their advisory, of course. As Julio reported, members of leadership at the group not only vacation in Florida, but some actually live there. The chairman of the Florida GOP has kindly offered to help with moving costs.
The CHAIRMAN of the @NAACP lives in Tampa, FLORIDA!
— Christian Ziegler 🇺🇸 (@ChrisMZiegler) May 21, 2023
True leadership is being willing to do what you ask others to do… time to step up and MOVE.
If you think our state is so bad, the @FloridaGOP will help with moving costs. https://t.co/fhvaiii9iB pic.twitter.com/5NnhQZyc3P
NAACP board of directors chairman Leon W. Russell didn't appreciate the offer.
"First of all, he is full of bull----," he said on MSNBC. "Secondly, you need to understand it’s not about money, it’s about people, it’s about humanity. Thirdly, quite frankly, we haven’t told anybody to leave. In fact, the NAACP is encouraging folks to stay here and fight. If there was ever a reason to stand your ground, it’s Black people, LGBT community, the immigrant community, women, need to stand our ground in Florida and fight, and understand that that fight is a political fight."