NAACP Condemns Bill Calling for the Closure of Mississippi Universities

NAACP President and CEO, Derrick Johnson, and NAACP Mississippi State Conference Executive Director, Charles Taylor, released a joint statement condemning the bill, calling for immediate action to remedy the situation:

"In 2024, we should be talking about the expansion, not restriction of access to education. Given the disproportionate lack of funding that HBCUs receive, the criteria proposed are a sly attempt to erode Black education. Make no mistake - any effort to close our historic institutions of knowledge is steeped in racism and influenced by colonial thinking. 

In a state with below-average college graduation rates, and one of the worst literacy rates in the nation, the preservation and advancement of education and educational opportunity must be a priority. 

The NAACP stands in solidarity with the students, faculty, staff, alumni, and supporters of Delta State University, Mississippi University for Women, and Mississippi Valley State University in opposing this harmful bill. We call on Senator John Polk and all legislators to prioritize continued investment in these vital institutions, ensuring that they are able to provide accessible education and opportunities for all Mississippians."

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