People of color, minorities advised against traveling to Missouri state
Image: INQUIRER.net
What’s known as the United States’ oldest civil rights organization is now advising women, members of the LGBTQ community, people of color, and other minority groups to reconsider going to the state of Missouri.
It is the first travel advisory issued by the organization at a state or national level, stressing the strong message that the advisory entails.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Missouri chapter recently issued the advisory fearing that discrimination or racism will befall individuals belonging to the aforementioned groups, according to a report by The Kansas City Star.
Apparently, the travel advisory was issued due to a bill recently being passed as a law. In another report by Refinery 29, it was noted that Senate Bill 43, dubbed as the “Jim Crow Bill”, is expected to greatly affect the chances of success in court regarding discrimination lawsuits filed by terminated employees. It is being interpreted by some as a way of legalizing discrimination.
The advisory reads, “Individuals traveling in the state are advised to travel with extreme CAUTION. Race, gender, and color based crimes have a long history in Missouri.”
This travel advisory is poised to remain in place until August 28 when the “Jim Crow Bill” goes into effect, said the report. Having the support of the Missouri delegates of the NAACP, the travel notice was forwarded to the national NAACP board for potential ratification in an upcoming October meeting.
To help illustrate the dangers, the notice came with references to past cases of mistreatment.
According to The Kansas City Star, one case pointed to a black man called Tory Sanders who had a history of depression. He was arrested and placed in the county jail for making a wrong turn.
A report was also included stating that black drivers were 75 percent more likely to be pulled over by police than white drivers.
Another case mentioned the anti-LGBTQ comment made by Missouri state representative Rick Brattin who said, “There is a distinction between homosexuality and just being a human being.” The comment appears to imply that homosexuals are less than human. Alfred Bayle/JB
