NAACP calls for athlete boycott of Southern US universities over voting rights

US Supreme Court Ruling Sparks Call for Boycott by Black Athletes and Fans

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has launched a campaign, dubbed “Out of Bounds,” urging Black athletes, their families, alumni, and fans to withhold support from public universities in seven southern states. The boycott aims to protest redistricting efforts that have diluted Black voting power.

The NAACP’s call for the boycott targets Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and South Carolina, which have all implemented or are planning to implement changes to congressional district maps. The Supreme Court ruling in April gutted a key provision of the Voting Rights Act, making it more challenging to challenge discriminatory voting practices.

The NAACP’s president, Derrick Johnson, stated that Black athletes contribute significantly to college athletic programs, generating substantial revenue and national television value. However, he argued that these athletes should not be expected to support institutions that undermine the political power of Black communities.

Several states have already begun redistricting in response to the Supreme Court ruling, with some pausing their primary elections to redraw maps. Others are expected to follow suit after this year’s midterm elections. The Voting Rights Act was first enacted in 1965 and aimed to prevent racist practices that disenfranchised Black voters.

The NAACP’s “Out of Bounds” campaign seeks to raise awareness about the impact of redistricting on Black voting power and encourages Black athletes, their families, and fans to make a statement by withholding support from affected universities.

Source: Al Jazeera