On July 10-15, 2010, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) held its 101st Annual Convention in Kansas City, Missouri.
There were several speakers and numerous issues on the agenda that were discussed during the six day event; however, the primary task at the top of the organization's agenda was the passing of a resolution condemning the Tea Party movement for their tolerance of racism.
The resolution also demanded that leaders of the Tea Party movement repudiate "all racist factions."
The resolution comes as a result of a Tea Party demonstration held in March 2010 where members of the Congressional Black Caucus were verbally attacked by demonstrators using racial epithets.
The NAACP has an illustrious history of fighting for the civil rights of people of color, but today there are not as many fights for the organization to engage in as there were 101 years ago.
Because of the fact that laws, minds, and behaviors have been changed over the years as a result of the existence of this prestigious civil rights organization, it becomes difficult to understand the reasoning or the benefit behind condemning another political organization solely because their membership base is predominately white - and/or because the group possibly has individuals in its party who are racist.
Complicating matters further for the NAACP is their lack of constructive resolve in their response to the philosophies, practices, and politics of The New Black Panther Party (for self defense), who essentially claim that they are at war with the white "power structure" of America, and that black people must unite to establish its own nation.
The recent actions (and/or inaction) taken by the NAACP on both the Tea Party and the New Black Panther Party will clearly not bring the people of this nation any closer to creating an environment of cooperative interaction that produces a level of ethnic equality that can successfully exist across racial lines.
The NAACP must (again) re-evaluate its organizational agenda and mission - making certain that they stand in opposition to the violation of civil rights for all people, and that racial hatred and discrimination is directly addressed amongst all groups and associations.
The NAACP asserts that its organization operates on a multicultural platform - inviting and welcoming all people to join their cause in defending the civil rights of all human beings.
With this concept in mind, it only stands to reason that the NAACP would ensure that a significant portion of its member's efforts and resources are devoted to eliminating division among all races.
Passing resolutions that condemn other groups not only fail to bring people together; they rarely facilitate any measurable progress in reference to their intended outcome(s).
The NAACP needs to become the example of what we can accomplish in America when it comes to improving race relations. The organization must avoid becoming an additional instrument of division; an instrument that promotes separatism and sustains racial conflict.
Leadership will be the key for the NAACP. The organization must adopt a vision that incorporates "leadership by example," developing a comprehensive model of operation that illustrates to our nation (and the world) the benefits of multiculturalism, and that reemphasizes the power of living in a diverse society.
Comments
An interesting article that talks about important racial issues in America, some that make us wonder why are they even an issue, and some that urgently need to be addressed... I feel that in the exact same way, this government fails to take the necessary actions to stop extremist groups, which, driven by fear and ignorance, are trying to get rid off illegal immigrants by all means lacking of compassion and mercy.
As a victim of affirmative action, I've never gotten over the way I was mistreated by Democrat party elites. The way I was treated by affirmative action is now illegal in CA. It was no fun to live in poverty all through graduate school only to learn at the end of the process: sorry, you're white. The NAACP is just smearing the Tea Party and ignoring the injustice they have caused through affirmative action.
Oh Gina ... When you say "this government fails to take the necessary actions to stop extremist groups" did you mean like the Black Panthers and the NAACP? They are both, how did you put it "driven by fear and ignorance" and both groups do nothing, I repeat NOTHING to help the plight of those they claim to represent.
Or were you trying to imply that anyone that dares to suggest enforcing the immigration laws (as are all other civilized countries) is "lacking of compassion and mercy"
Try avoiding the immigration laws in Mexico and see how much "compassion and mercy" you are granted.
I guess that in your Kumbaya world everything would just be Wonderfulllll if only we would stop persecuting those poor helpless LAW BREAKERS.
Stop playing the race card to avoid addressing the real issues about illegal immigration. Did you ever for even a moment think about the cost to "Joe Average" to support, feed, incarcerate, educate, etc those here illegally? Figured not.
SteveCan, answering your question... what do I mean?
I mean stop selling the US as the paradise for illegal Mexicans, Asians, and Africans to get the "American Dream"... which is nothing but work 16 to 20 hours a day for $2.5 to $7.00 USD/HOUR... I mean stop basing the economy of this country on cheap labor...
Using your own words, I mean stop playing the "illegal" card to avoid addressing the real issues... like race relations within the US.
I guess in my "Kumbaya" world I cannot forget that there are real families and children, as real as yours an mine, who are cought up in the middle of this political/racial cross fire.
I mean in my "Kumabaya" world it cannot and will not ever be right to have armed civilians willing to shoot at children of illegal inmigrants crossing the border under the excuse of "enforcing immigration laws". How about in yours?
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