Why the NAACP wants Black student-athletes to boycott public universities in 8 states across the South

The NAACP launched the “Out of Bounds” campaign calling on Black student-athletes, alumni, and fans to withhold athletic and financial support from Southern public universities. The campaign targets flagship universities in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas, citing actions that limit, weaken, or erase Black voting representation. The NAACP links the boycott to the Supreme Court ruling Louisiana v. Callais, which dismantled protections against racial discrimination in redistricting under the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The NAACP says the targeted schools generate more than $1.5 billion annually while recruiting Black athletic talent in states where Black political power is being dismantled. The NAACP frames the issue as an effort to erase Black political power and says it will not remain silent while states deprive Black communities of their voice.

"The NAACP launched the “Out of Bounds” campaign, a nationwide call urging Black athletes, alumni, and fans to withhold all athletic and financial support from Southern public universities. The campaign prioritizes boycotting flagship universities in eight states that it says have “moved to limit, weaken, or erase” Black voting representation in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas."

"As explained by the NAACP, the list of 13 schools generate more than $1.5 billion annually while recruiting Black athletic talent to states where Black political power is being dismantled. “Out of Bounds” was created following the recent Supreme Court ruling Louisiana v. Callais, which dismantled protections against racial discrimination in redistricting under the Voting Rights Act of 1965."

"In this decision, the court struck down Louisiana's majority Black congressional map, ruling that the map established an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. “What these states have done is not a policy disagreement,” Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP, said in a statement. “It is a sprint to erase Black political power.”"

"Johnson said the ruling will further erode Black political representation, and that the NAACP will not watch institutions that depend on Black athletes remain silent while states deprive Black communities of their voice. The NAACP's primary ask for Black student athletes is for those actively being recruited by the targeted"

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