The embattled group is out of favor with broad segments of Black Americans. Michel Massie, chairman of the black conservative group Project 21, claims the NAACP is "a dinosaur" that needs to "come to grips with the fact that America has changed" since the 1960’s civil rights movement. A Black Nationalist said on The Black-list: "they have truly lost their way and have failed. They are people who would go to great lengths to insure that the status quo remains".
Be either they "Establishment" backers or bashers, neither segment is giving the NAACP the love it needs. But, NAACP Chairman Julian Bond has appealed to the public for help. In an interview with The Black Press News Service, Bond said the group has, "asked our regular supporters to redouble their contributions" and is "asking anyone who has benefited from the work of the NAACP to ‘show some love’ by putting a check in the mail and becoming a member". Bond also said he has "called upon our board members and SCF Trustees to give or get $15,000 each by the year’s end". Bond estimates that the effort "will put more than $1 million in our treasury".
Across America there is a dedicated group of faithful that will respond to Bond’s plea. They include annual dues-paying members and NAACP Special Contributions Fund Board of Trustees "Rainmakers" such as retired Chrysler executive Roy Levy Williams, former Disney executive Robert Billingslea and Anheuser Busch executive Wayman Smith.
Since its foundering, the organization has been in the forefront of issues affecting the black community: lynching, segregation, affirmative action, etc. But, one of its greatest victories may have been its spawn its decline in membership. The landmark U.S. Supreme Court opinion case of Brown vs. Board of Education in 1954 that outlawed segregation in public schools may have been the worst thing to happen to blacks and their perception of the NAACP. Black conservatives crow that the Brown decision was monumental in its declaration that segregation was unconstitutional. The NAACP is a dinosaur because they say the decision "did not change patterns of segregation."
Identifying and changing patterns of segregation wouldn’t be happening at local NAACP branch offices if the national headquarters can’t get back on its feet. Autonomous entities mostly run by unpaid volunteers, most of the NAACP’s 2,000 branches have no office, no secretary and rely on volunteers.
If the majority of African Americans sit on the sidelines while the historical group ceases to exist it would be a shame. Core supporters of the NAACP will come together in Detroit for their 98th annual convention July 7-12. The theme is will be "Power Beyond Measure" and will include a "funeral" for the "N-word."
Is the NAACP still relevant in black life? Undoubtedly it is. And, as soon as it moves away from partisan politics and back to the basis of addressing black and civil rights issues the more relevant in black life it will be. In 1999, the NAACP introduced the "Knock Across America" campaign during which its members were asked to go door to door to get at least 10 neighbors to join. If the NAACP got 1 million new and paying members by year’s end, they’d have a $30 million cash flow and be able to bring back workers and forcefully get back to the basis of their business.
For those concerned about this icon, for a $30 annual fee, they can receive a bimonthly magazine on civil rights and participate in local branch activities, including elections.
For information on NAACP fundraising call toll free, 1-877-NAACP98. Or write NAACP National Headquarters 4805 Mt. Hope Drive Baltimore, MD 21215.
