A model black citizen lives up to the American pledge by living a memorable life in public. The times, for President of the NAACP San Diego Branch, Lei-Chala Wilson, are times work on proving that in the city false clichés that give life without a heart to talk on colored people are empty talk is late.
NAACP's performers are on call to mark out an image for African Americans the typical polite citizen is not accustomed to. Coming out on stage with a full name comes natural. The new makeup makes plain today's models are not a let down.
Show openings in 2012 for Mo'olelo performing arts group, that kept a class status alive in "How I Got That Story," were meant to teach the audience life deeds put honor in the name. Words spoken in officialese are just ideas. The heavy substance is in the acts.
Working on civil rights laws might be endless work. But, citizens are first taught to overcome life's challenges by growing opportunities in a community by working from the bottom up. Everyone had a role to play in 2012. A Red Tails Mechanic even pitched in at a monthly membership meeting. A flier's team member who gives young people a model to follow.
Image never goes to waste.
In addition to giving local citizens an opportunity to escape all the consequences of the War on Drugs and Three Strikes and You're Out, Wilson gives local members notice on the roles artists in the performing arts industries have played in creating a new public face for African Americans. NAACP member pay attention to the names performers earn. Local members can still ask for a seat at the The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles for the February NAACP Image Awards show.
Barack Obama in 2005 filled his role at the show while a Senator by accepting a Chairman's Award and giving the crowd a twist, with the words "politics is show business for ugly people."
The NAACP President's Award at this year's show sponsored by Wells Fargo and Southwest Airlines will go to Kerry Washington, one among the actor and actress ranks in Django Unchained and a headliner for the TV show Scandal, the first African American woman to headline a network TV show since 1974. Her name will not soon run out. Work on "We The Peoples" has been done for the sake of her own name.
Washington takes her place after Soledad O'Brien, an earlier President's Award winner.
The high marks rub off. Former outstanding actor and artist winners Will Smith and Beyonce already earned their leg to stand on. No one can forget.
One at a time, in February, nominees LL Cool J, Cuba Gooding Jr., Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle, Jamie Foxx, and Alicia Keys will have their face put in lights as their names are called. LL once for NCIS:Los Angeles. Keys three times. Once for Outstanding Female Artist. And twice for the title, "Girl On Fire."
This year's winners of the NAACP Image Awards will get their recognition for inspiring the equal social respect, among the Americans who know the common men and women and the educated highbrow, that makes a daily walk a positive experience. Each year the men and women in show business go on stage. NAACP's work on the face of the name African American is always half done.
Every celebrated name counts. The productions done for Americans can not be second best to make the men and women on the street pay attention. Work earns the actors and singers an opportunity to join the honored ranks.
DJANGO in capital letters proves no one's back was broken in the work.
There is a new look for the times. One that stands up equal until the prize is won.
The line continues next week.
To read earlier articles in Citizen Agenda Action Line on Tuesdays, read
Fresh starts on a downtown block
Hard at tapping out an opera scene
Hands full of healthy canned foods
Credit for electrical training all for free
Cutting the size of teenage community drinking
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