Hostin Supports NAACP Boycott of Public Universities
Sunny Hostin, a co-host on “The View,” recently voiced her backing for the NAACP’s call for black athletes and their families to boycott certain public universities that allegedly lack adequate black representation.
During Wednesday’s discussion on ABC’s talk show, Hostin and the panel explored the NAACP’s newly launched “Out of Bounds” campaign, which was announced just a day prior. In acknowledging that participating college athletes might be giving up valuable opportunities, Hostin posited that their actions could potentially instigate political change.
“We need a strategy,” she said, asserting that athletes have long been engaged in activism. Hostin mentioned historical figures like John Carlos and Muhammad Ali, emphasizing that these established athletes had already made their mark.
As part of the campaign, the focus is on schools within the SEC and ACC, particularly those in states like Tennessee, Louisiana, Alabama, and Florida. These universities are reportedly resisting recent Supreme Court decisions regarding race-based congressional districts.
Hostin remarked that only 13 schools have committed to the boycott so far, pointing out that top athletes have various options at their disposal. She recalled a previous instance at Ole Miss when a running back named Kylin Hill insisted he wouldn’t play until the state altered its Confederate flag policy. This illustrates how significant economic pressures can lead to change, she noted.
Other co-hosts had mixed feelings about the boycott. Joy Behar suggested that young people often drive societal change, while Alyssa Farrar Griffin acknowledged the campaign’s value but expressed concern about placing excessive burdens on young individuals who didn’t create the issues at hand. Whoopi Goldberg shared her uncertainty about whether this approach would yield the desired results.
Hostin concluded by reflecting on the varying scenarios and outcomes, indicating that the effectiveness of such a boycott may depend on numerous factors, such as the number of schools and players involved. The conversation sheds light on the complexities surrounding activism in sports and the role of young athletes in advocating for change.
