In war, there are casualties. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ “war on woke” is no exception, writes Dean Obeidallah, as groups cancel gatherings in the state.

Governor DeSantis’s policies targeting the LGBTQ community, restricting academic freedom, and banning diversity programs have negatively impacted Florida’s economy. Several organizations have canceled conventions and events in Orlando due to concerns over DeSantis’s “anti-woke” agenda, resulting in an estimated $20 million loss in revenue for the state. Despite this, DeSantis’s spokesperson dismissed the economic impact as a “media-driven stunt.” However, boycotts in the past have caused enough economic pain to lead to policy changes, so organizations avoiding Florida are doing the right thing by not spending money there while these policies remain in place.

  • ikiru
    5·
    1 year ago

    As a Leftist, who very much looks like a Leftist, I am currently visiting Florida’s panhandle and I’m having a very great time. It’s very much like the Deep South. People are very friendly. I see plenty of people of color too. It’s not like genocide is raging and people are being hunted down en masse, not that I support DeSantis nor do I want to normalize him and I do think we are inevitably heading towards fascism in the US.

    On the other hand, I did go to a restaurant and sat next to a table with a Neo-Nazi couple with swastika tattoos but we left our respective parties alone.

    • Fish [Indiana]@midwest.socialEnglish
      14·
      1 year ago

      I have no doubt that the majority of Floridians will be civil, even around leftists and LGBTQ+ people. However, much of the recent legislation in Florida has been straight-up fascist. Also, Florida is seeing an influx of radical conservatives moving there, along with a lot of left-leaning and LGBTQ+ people leaving. That’s what I mean when I say that “it’s getting there”.

      • ikiru
        2·
        1 year ago

        No disagreements about any of that.

        I was just adding to the chain of comments so I replied to you but I guess I was mostly addressing the Aussie’s concerns.

    • Auzy@beehaw.org
      7·
      1 year ago

      oh yeah… It’s unlikely I’ll be shot, but, more likely than anywhere else. Thing is, what does Florida offer to someone like me that lots of other places don’t offer, which don’t have the negatives?

      • ikiru
        3·
        1 year ago

        I’m not trying to convince you to come to Florida. Just saying it’s not as bad for most as it may sound.

        But everywhere is different and Florida is a unique place and it’s worth visiting if you get the chance. I’ve been throughout Florida and it’s beautiful. And I’ve very extensively travelled internationally so please don’t assume it’s a sheltered perspective from someone who never left the US.