Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1507211
35 S hould we, or should we NOT, go to Florida; that is the question many individuals and group travelers, particularly those who are African-American, are asking themselves these days. As the publication of choice for the "Gatekeepers" to the $129+ billion African American Travel Market segment, BM&T has received a continuing stream of inquiries regarding travel to the state of Florida. While clearly the majority of the human beings on the planet are making strides to acknowledge the diversity, and benefit from the inclusion of our fellow world citizens, there still remain pockets of those who appear to be wearing blind- ers to this call for universal respect. Apparently Florida is an area where a number of these individuals, many of them serv- ing in elected offices, reside. By their recently enacted laws and policies, elected officials in Florida have demonstrated their intention to alter or "erase Black history and to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in Florida schools." It is for this and other related reasons that in May of this year the NAACP national board of directors issued a formal TRAVEL ADVISORY providing basic warnings for ALL Travelers who decide to go to Florida. On the one hand it would seem totally logical for African-American individual and group travelers to refuse to go to a state that is currently lead by "public ser- vants" who have enacted laws and policies that blatantly seek to devalue the history and dignity of African- Americans and other communities. It is important to keep in mind that the NAACP Travel Advisory does NOT specifically call for a BAN or to ABANDON travel to the state of Florida. However, it has become a clarion call for a BANding together of the many organizations, groups and individuals that strongly oppose the Florida legisla- tion that threatens the rights of all Americans. The efforts of these groups to affect change regarding Florida's policies and laws is fueled by the enormous sup- port they continue to receive from a variety of sources. For travelers seeking to make an economic impact that could serve as a "wake up" call to those who are proposing and enacting these legislative directives, rather than DENY your dollars being used for traveling to (and within) the state of Florida, consider DONATING your DOLLAR$ to any one, or more, of the growing number of organizations in and outside of the state that are working to "RETIRE' the present gov- ernor and his colleagues, who are standing with him on what will soon be obvious, is "the wrong side of history." The actual Travel Advisory issued by the NAACP includes the following suggested actions: • "If you do decide to go to the State of Florida, please be aware of the open hostility towards African Americans and people of color." • "If you do decide to go to the State of Florida, please advocate for legislation that supports diversity in all aspects of education." • "If you do decide to go to the State of Florida, please advocate for the right to peacefully assemble and protest any unjust laws or actions by the State." • If you do decide to go to the State of Florida, please advocate for the protection of African-American's right to vote." • We urge all, including those who travel to the State of Florida, to join the NAACP in our fight against the unjust attack on civil liberties, principles of diversity and inclusion." B M & T ••• September/October 2023 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com MAKING A DIFFERENCE Florida: TO Go or NOT To Go??? BY GLORIA & SOLOMON HERBERT