Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/187632
•Pg_56-70__BMT_pg86-162 9/25/13 5:27 AM Page 56 WILL AFRICAN-AMERICANS STILL MEET & VACATION IN FLORIDA? BY MICHAEL BENNETT hile the George Zimmerman verdict is a public relations nightmare, African-Americans will continue to visit Florida. While the voices calling for a boycott in the immediate aftermath of the verdict have garnered most of the attention, those calls might be a bit premature. For purely economic reasons, a boycott could have a devastating affect on Florida's Black community – many who make their living in travel, tourism and hospitality. As the number one tourist destination it the country, it stands to reason the employment numbers for African-Americans are huge, not to mention the numerous Black-owned hotels throughout the state. The NAACP, in an ironic twist started their convention 35 miles away in Orlando on the same day the legal system acquitted Zimmerman. Later that same month, the National Bar Association held their annual gathering in Miami Beach and the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators and Developers (NABHOOD) held their tradeshow in Miami. On July 31, 2014 the National Association of Black Journalist (NABJ) started their annual convention in Orlando. NABJ president Gregory Lee, in a statement released just prior to their gathering discouraged the idea of boycotting. Lee stated, "it would be impractical and costly and fail to take advantage of a 'unique opportunity' for Black journalists." The continuation of these conventions actually had a benefit or two that might not be readily apparent to the boycott crowd. First, it was a reminder of the economic clout wielded by the African-American community – an estimated $25 million in economic impact just from these four groups. That is a conservative estimate that does not include the cost of travel. The second benefit should serve as a wakeup call to elected leaders in Florida. African- W 56 Americans are unafraid of agitating in the belly of the beast. Specifically, striking down Stand Your Ground laws. While legal experts might disagree on how much Stand Your Ground was relied upon in defense of George Zimmerman, there is little doubt it played a role. Stand Your Ground and the new restrictive voter ID laws have rallied a new generation of Americans to take a stand. So here's the question. What does our industry, and more specifically the AfricanAmerican travel, tourism and hospitality professional do to influence action on social issues, or should we? An informal survey of African-American travel agents conducted by Black Meetings and Tourism found that 56 percent advocated for a full-scale boycott of Florida until Stand Your Ground is repealed. Eighty-four percent of those surveyed also believe Florida tourism leaders have a responsibility to address Stand Your Ground with local leaders and explain the devastating economic consequences a full boycott might have on Florida. While the poll numbers suggest boycotting Florida is popular, there are 22 other states that have this same law, or a derivative of Stand Your Ground. What do we do, boycott them all? That would remove some rather popular tourist destinations from our list of places to visit and conduct business. Some have suggested making an example out of Florida. But will that really work? Boycotts of the Civil Rights era such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott were successful because they were targeted at a very specific group in which African-Americans had little, if any economic clout. African-Americans didn't own the buses, so the economic burden was borne by the enforcers of Jim Crow who owned the buses. Evaluating the effectiveness of more recent boycotts has proven somewhat elusive. When the NAACP instituted a boycott in South Carolina protesting the Confederate flag flying over the capital dome, the boycott did indeed bring some unwanted attention. The flag was eventually removed from its prominent position atop the capital to another location on state grounds – a move that has still not satisfied the NAACP. But what about the cost of that boycott, which is still in effect today. South Carolina has over 60,000 workers in travel, tourism and hospitality. How many African-American suppliers, vendors, entrepreneurs, tourism and hospitality professionals have either lost their businesses, lost their jobs, had their hours cut to part time, or were never hired because of the boycott? The mayor of the state's largest city is African-American. How has the boycott complicated his job as he seeks to balance budgets against the need for city services? The third highest-ranking Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives, James Clyburn has certainly been put in a difficult position of supporting the NAACP on one hand and advocating for his district on the other. The "snubbing" of Miami as it came to be known, was a sad turn of events surrounding what should have been the celebrated arrival of Nelson Mandela in Miami back in 1990. Due to remarks Mandela made at an appearance with Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, the city rescinded a proclamation for the South African freedom fighter and refused to meet him or acknowledge he was in town. African-Americans, in an attempt to avoid violence called for a tourism boycott in Miami. Dubbed "the Quiet Riot" by local leader H.T. Smith, the three-year boycott is estimated to have cost the city $50 million. Was it successful? Several reports 20 years later suggest in was effective. Many of you remember the tourism boycott in Arizona for their refusal to support a holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The national holiday became federal law in 1983. After years of legislative battles, voters in Arizona finally took matters into their own hands and approved the holiday in 1992. But B M & T ••• Septmeber/October 2013 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com