The NAACP has voted to adopt a travel advisory for Missouri, saying African Americans and other minorities face a danger of their civil rights not being respected in the state, and has been met with mixed reactions in the state.
The advisory urges African Americans to use “extreme caution” when in Missouri.
The group pointed to a few recent developments in the state, including Gov. Eric Greitens signing Senate Bill 43 into law a few weeks ago. The bill makes it tougher for fired employees to file discrimination lawsuits.
Once the law goes into effect, fired employees must prove discrimination was the main reason for their firing, not just a contributing factor.
Supporters of the measure said the bill could help cut down on frivolous lawsuits and put Missouri more in line with federal standards.
The travel advisory also came after the Missouri Attorney General’s Office released a report recently showing black drivers were 75 percent more likely to be pulled over than white drivers in the state in 2016.
James Price, a barbershop owner in Blue Springs, says he sadly knows all too well about racism in the metro. In May, his barbershop was the target of racially charged vandalism.
“I got here, and I saw it, and I was just speechless,” he explained. “I was disgusted and angry."
Price told 41 Action News that a suspect spray-painted a hateful message on the front window of the shop he has owned since 2009.
“It said, 'Die n-word die’,” he explained. “I don't know if they were looking for a reaction, if they were looking for me to leave. I think they were looking for me to feel threatened."
After hearing about the travel advisory, Price said African Americans in the metro continue to deal with racism on a daily basis.
Price pointed to hearing hateful words and experiencing rude or suspicious behavior often.
“As an African American, we endure that almost every day. Sometimes, it's just not even said,” he explained. “It’s how a person looks at you. It's what a person doesn't do that they're supposed to. If you observe it enough, you're going to see it a whole lot."
With the travel advisory now in place, Price hoped it could help bring awareness to racial problems in the state.
“This is just the first state. This is just the beginning,” he explained. “It's just now being exposed. We've been living this way."
The advisory also brought up concerns.
Richard Mabion is the President of the NAACP in Kansas City, Kansas. He says it could end up leading to fewer tourists and hurt the people it’s supposed to help.
“You're talking about a travel warning that keeps people from coming to the state, and that interferes with tourism,” he explained. “The most stable employment position we have for the portion of the population we serve is in hotel and lodging.”
The NAACP said the travel advisory could end up being pulled back if Senate Bill 43 gets repealed.
The group also said it hoped the Missouri Attorney General’s Office report on traffic stops could lead to progress on the issue.
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