Should a new post-Civil Rights Movement leadership identity be fashioned for the NAACP? That is the big question raised by the BC cover story in issue 246: “The Role of the Black Elite in Outreaching to the Black Lower Class, And How It Relates to the National Leadership Level of the NAACP” By BC Editorial Board member Dr. Martin Kilson, PhD. In Issue 247 we presented an answer in the form of a commentary by Dr. Ron Walters titled, "Three Cheers for the NAACP." BC invited readers thoughts about the vision of the NAACP as it is or should be. Here are some of the responses:

From JR, III:

First, the NAACP needs to put down its 'gentlemanly' approach and attack unjust acts and speeches by politicians, capitalists, and their shills on television (Do you hear me, O'Reilly?). Secondly, and most important in my mind, they need to absolutely STOP honoring, even in passing, Blacks who sellout our Black masses for a dollar or for favor with the racist white ruling elite. The Black community needs to have some mechanism in place to publicly identify and ostracize people like Bush and especially Blacks, who work against the interests of us as a group such as Clarence Thomas, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice and the infamously selfish Bob Johnson, architect of BET buffoonery. We need to have an agreed upon criteria for doing so in order to prevent abuse. The NAACP needs to adopt this as part of their strategy. If not, whites have demonstrated since 1619 that they will work overtime to abort or otherwise neuter our vision. Black people and other races will continue to work against our interests because they know there is no penalty for doing otherwise.

Finally, the NAACP welcomed Bush after he had snubbed them for, what, five years? They welcomed him AFTER Katrina and didn't allow protesters in the meeting!

CT had a simple suggestion:

The NAACP should constantly evaluate its effectiveness and make changes based upon this evaluation.

JS shares a vision:

I am afraid that much like the civil rights movement, which was almost killed outright with the death of Dr. King, the NAACP too, seems to have choked and died, but I think it can be revived. I believe that Dr. Kilson is right, and that when those laws were passed, they were not necessarily implemented. Issues of poverty, crime, education, and the black family still need to be addressed, but I think the NAACP seems to have lost its focus. Do they still do those awards shows? What's that all about? We don't need anymore shows. Or awards. One of the biggest issues for the org should be education and keeping our children in school and moving towards post secondary education.

Next should be poverty. The unions claim to want to be a part of the community, and yet they have always been historically part of the problem with their racist practices of not allowing black entry into those top dollar crafts and trades. Well, there is not a chance to step up to the plate. They could be the catalysts for teaching trades to unemployed men and women, those under the poverty line.

The criminal justice system, as always, needs to be addressed. Just because it's 2007 and not 1957 doesn't mean that things have changed. We know there has not been enough change. Black men are still being incarcerated at an alarming rate in this country. Jena is a good example.

Hopefully, Katrina was a once in a lifetime event, but still, not only should it not have happened, it should have been properly taken care of. If this country can handle a war it should not be in, surely it could handle a natural disaster. Except when it comes to black folks. I really don't feel as if an institution such as this one should be disbanded wholesale. Its rich history needs to be used as the basis of the model for the future; all the ills of this world still exist, they haven't gone away, just underground. And the elite of our culture needs to realize that the poor among us need us now more than they ever did, and if they can't realize that then there is no need for the NAACP.

FAY wrote to assert his disappointment with the talented tenth:

Professor Kilson thank your for the deep insights you have shared. The talented tenth is truly an asset, which has not benefited Black America in the way it should. They have not leveraged their positions nor their wealth in the way they could. How unfortunate that this generation and the boomers have lost sight of what the Civil Rights Movement was truly about -- Socio-economic-political Empowerment of Negro Black America! I kindly request you read my blog.

LHB on classes and capitalism:

The truth is money separates classes and cliques. It doesn't really matter what color one's skin is.

Wondering if rich black will voluntarily help poor black people is like wondering if Trump (white) will be paying my mortgage (because I'm white). The answer is no.

We live in a society of classes and until the root of the separation (capitalism) is changed then we can't expect rich people to help poor people unless it's a tax write-off.

In this country of self-made peoples, the rich millionaires concern their time with making more millions for their children. This country has turned into a land of heirs. Landlords in the feudal system. And by in large they are taught to look out for number one, 'themselves'.

Capitalism, as a standard, is a moral and economic failure! And looking to the rich to be part of a poorer class is ridiculous. At least not in this country. It's the promise of 'trickle-down' economics which says give all us millionaires your tax money and we promise to make sure you reap the benefits of our spending.

WN thinks thinks Kilson is on the right track:

Your assessment of our plight is quite accurate. Surely the intelligent people who guide the NAACP are aware that something new must be done. Court action alone is obviously insufficient to remedy our current problems. In fact, that was one reason why Dr. King had differences of opinion concerning tactics with Roy Wilkins and Thurgood Marshall. It was also why the SCLC was created.

As you mentioned the N word was buried recently, however with the supreme court decision of June 28th regarding school desegregation in Seattle and Louisville the Brown vs. Board of Education has been nullified. I have heard no reaction from NAACP.

Your educational plan to salvage our young people is on the money. Only our churches have the means to immediately begin to offer what the public schools refuse to. Our more successful brothers and sisters must come to the rescue because no one else will. All other groups in America fill any void or lack of services, which their people suffer from. Our lack of will to tackle these issues is sad and disgraceful. Many of us have obviously become callous and only interested in displaying their consumer goods.

The prison explosion is a subtle form of genocide, which our elite are too polite to address. This is a sign of what many have been reduced to; well fed frightened ex-slaves.

Too bad that we don’t have more successful people like yourself who still have a heart as well as a head.

CDM found Kilson inspiring:

Dear Dr. Kilson thank you for writing such an inspiring editorial, about the crisis of credible black leadership within the NAACP. I hope that my response to this article is not censored in such a way that it does not reach you.

It is my hope that one of black Americans' interracial struggles...the hypocritical generational...does not play out in this attempt to join and add insightful intelligent comments to this debate. First we must look at the NAACP in terms of its history and of its benevolent white supporters.

My objective is not to give you a history lesson, but simply to put things into proper historical context. We must always use history as our initiate because as Malcolm once said history rewards the researcher. The start of the NAACP coincided with the rise of the Garvey Movement in the twentieth century. The objective of the GM was to truly uplift the race with a race first based initiative that involved self-help, self-reliance and self-sufficiency. The GM had an economic, political, social, medical and mental health plan as well as a military arm. Garvey believed that not only should the black community be uplifted in all aspects of American life but it needed to be protected as well.

The goal of the NAACP was quite different. It focused on strategically maneuvering blacks into positions of perceived power through miscegenation and amalgamation in order to keep under class Negroes in check. The strange thing is that Garvey and W.E.B. both held similar convictions (and both made grave analytical mistakes) on several fronts regarding black liberation. It is no secret that at one point the NAACP was considered a radical organization. But I digress. W.E.B.'s biggest mistake was lining up with white benefactors because they undermined the radical mission of the org. (But finally he wised up and moved to Ghana and was vindicated in death because he died as the father of Pan-Africanism.) And in so doing helped to undermine the GM.

So having said that, it is quite clear, to me, that the current position of the NAACP is linked to its past integrationist mantra. I don't know about you but I believe no white person is going to pay for a seat at their own execution. So this resignation didn't surprise me because the NAACP has been undermining black progress since day one.

The NAACP is obsolete, its tactics are outdated and its leadership style is incompetent. I understand you think that since I have so much negative to say about the NAACP why wouldn't I join the org and try to make it everything that it is not. I've already started my own org that doesn't rob black people of their human resources and take advantage of their social systemic condition and truly gives back to the black community.

Furthermore I never wanted to join the NAACP because I always thought of them as a pseudo black leadership org. Plus I’m too radical for that type of org. With all due respect Dr. Kilson, the NAACP is no longer relevant. They proved that this past summer with the mock burial of the word nigger. But you can rest assured that the legacy of resistance is carried on in me and others in my generation that think like me and have started their own org to positively impact the lives our people.

Again thank you for writing such a great and informative piece...peace & blessings.

Note: BC does not edit any message sent to writers.

Last week's Cover Story was BC Editorial Board member, Bill Fletcher, Jr's, The African World column titled, Senator Obama, Black America and the War(s), brought forth several comments.

JRJ urges us all to trust Obama:

Many of our so-called black leaders are still being duped by the Clinton magic. You must learn to trust your brother, Obama, if you are trusting the other candidates. They all are trying to get elected, and saying anything to garner support.

I'll go down with the candidate Obama, any day, rather than travel the same old path, we black folks have traveled all of my adult life, following the white Democrat drumbeat. We got nothing from Bill Clinton accept a few juicy appointments, and we will get less from Hillary, because those appointments will go to white woman.

The way I view the political landscape, black folks have nothing to lose, yet potentially everything to gain, by supporting candidate Obama. We, as a people, have gotten nothing significant from any President, in my 70 years on this Earth.

Stop Assassinating our Brother.

If JRJ felt brother Bill was too hard on Obama, reader H\GW thinks Obama got off too easy. GW enjoys Fletcher's columns and agrees with him about 85-90%:

I'm writing today to send appreciation for your columns on Obama. I understand what a difficult situation you are in to criticize him. I actually think you were being too easy on him in this most recent column, because to me he struck out already, but it is understandable so as not to alienate the reader.

I do think that as a preface to criticism of Obama one should always state that whatever the criticism that follows, Obama is a better choice than Clinton. It also deserves saying that the criticism that Obama deserves is entirely in those areas in which his wrong position is in agreement with Clinton's wrong stand.

To me, Obama had strike #3 with a Health Insurance plan instead of a Health Care plan. Strike #4 is his refusal to come out in support of impeachment. Strike #5 is his support of the 9/11 commission report and its recommendations. Strike #6 is his support for the increased funding for additional personnel, infrastructure, and technology on the border. His website does not state whether he is for or against the border wall, so that is another example of silence on a vital issue. Strike #7 voting for the Patriot Act.

Obama made a base hit opposing the proposal for a Constitutional ban on same sex-marriage, but then made a strike by opposing same-sex marriage.

Obama had a base hit on the issue of speaking to Castro and Chavez, but then got a strike by the way he attempted to backtrack on that issue.

I believe that Dennis Kucinich is the candidate who speaks most directly for what most Americans, including most Americans with African ancestry, actually support. But between the two "front runners" even with his strikes Obama has a better batting average than Clinton. When it comes to the Democrats, I guess that I am for anybody but Clinton who I see as the greatest danger to the Democratic Party of any of the candidates.

Keep up the good writing.

RW thinks Obama is timid:

Bravo! I agree 100%. Obama is killing what chance he has by being too cautious.

Last week we published the first BC Student Writers' Corner. The commentary titled, "People Need to Ignore the Stereotypes of Black Males," by Ashley Bates, was well received. Several readers complimented and encouraged Ms. Bates.

A reader named Brandon said:

Ashley, that was great!!! I'm really impressed with your writing skill I know you will go very far in all your endeavors. That article is very true and I'm very pleased with it. Thanks black sista'.

DHD called the column uplifting:

Ms. Ashley Bates the report was very interesting and very uplifting to us black males. I’m writing this to inform you that I enjoyed it, and it was a great attention Capture. Keep it up; it's looking glorious for you.

Thanks Again,

HK send a note of encouragement:

I wish to express my sincere gratitude for your commentary on Black men entitled "People Need to Ignore the Stereotypes of Black Men." Rare indeed have I witnessed in the media positive comments about Black men as a group - and that includes Black media. You could have chosen to hurl still more derogatory comments and deprecations at Black men. If you had, no one would have been too concerned. You could have chosen to bash Black men as a group, blaming them all for the unfortunate behavior of a few. If you had you may well have been applauded by many. The dangerous and endangered Black man is the image that is widely accepted in the press these days. But, for some reason you chose to remind the world that Black men are not all pimps, wife beaters, gangsters, and psychologically underdeveloped.

Yes, too many Black men have succumbed to the intense pressures of an anti-black and deeply misogynistic society. Too many of us have failed to remain true to our ancestral heritage in the face of the onslaught of a perverted, racist social order. And too many of us have disrespected or turned our backs on our sisters, Black women, in the pursuit of the hedonistic fantasies of the hyper-materialistic American way of life. But, we will never be whole again as a people if we do not learn to see more in ourselves than the worst in ourselves. By publicly presenting a positive, uplifting view of Black men, you have touched more than you will ever be aware of. Such encouragement gives us the strength to continue being kind, helpful, compassionate and hopeful despite the many difficulties we face.

May God bless you and continue to give you wisdom and courage.

DG, Jr welcomed the support:

Thank you so much in believing the positive on black men. Black men like me are so tired of the negative stereotypes it makes it tempting to act on it to shut the media up. I work in radio and we constantly remind black men, as well as women, to never let anyone limit you to what they see you as. Most of the brothers I meet are caring, uplifting, and keep me encouraged. Oh, don't let us get stereotyped on being smart; that's acting white. I can never understand why getting an education is acting white. Until all black people stop listening to media and think for ourselves in terms of black men, this trend will continue. Again, thank you Ms. Bates and keep uplifting the black man. We need sisters like you.

JV however thinks the argument is a waste of time:

In short: The author is wrong. The entire argument is tired and a foolish distraction. I come from the "boogie-down Bronx." Be certain, up here, where the living is "ghetto fabulous," the stereotype holds quite well. If the author refuses to accept that the impact of our own video images of what it is to be black have pretty much pounded the round peg of authenticity in the square hole of stereotyping, then the author is either profoundly stupid or the worst of liars.

Stereotyping begins with appearance, plain and simple. Have you seen what our youth are looking like lately? And, I must ask, are you good with that? Hat tilted ridiculously to the side, pants hanging all down by the knees, two earnings on (forget the suffering miners in Africa), gold chains and, of course, the menacing glare and contempt for anything resembling readable English.

You're kidding if you think these don't set us up for complete misinterpretation. You're lying if you think there is a future in that. You're insane if you think that represents the best we have to offer. You're pathetic if you don't see any connection between that "appearance and attitude" and the ever increasing education gap.

Our children have nothing to look forward to but, what, a warm fuzzy feeling of authenticity? (And while we're at it, authentically what? Thuggish? - That's us? I'll be damned. NO...we'll be damned. But here comes a biopic of Biggie Smalls. Denzel stars in American Gangster. The fix is in..and the carnage, the black (and Latino) youth shooting one another, continues.

Honesty trumps everything.

Last week's Keeping It Real column by By Larry Pinkney titled, "Know Your Enemy: Co-optation, Discreditation, Elimination and The "N" Word," resulted in the following comment from SJ:

Mr. Pinkney,

I have two questions regarding your commentary:

1. You stated the following concerning the use of the "N" word:

"The fact is that it was and is being whipped into them by a hypocritical white system that is far more inclined to care about hair care and manicured finger nails than it does about Black infant mortality, lack of health insurance, racial profiling, and a burgeoning Black, Brown, and Red, prison population."

Are you proposing that White America is responsible for the lack of political activism in our community? That it is White America that leaves us without knowledge of black issues? I don't see how White America could make us care more about our looks (by which I speak for the females, since I am not personally a fan of hair care or manicured finger nails haha) than we do about important political issues.

2. You say that we must be constantly reminding ourselves of who our enemy is. Do you feel that White America is the enemy, or do you think the ideals of White America are the enemy? I know that not all of White America is out to "keep us down." Especially since we are not the only people who are currently oppressed (Hispanics, Asians, and the Native Americans--who, by the way, were killed and enslaved long before we were). I think a lot of today's problems are stemmed from our own culture. Yes, that radio host may have been a villain, but then, so is BET.

How can you be harsh on White American media when our own network is displaying our culture in offensive manners as well? I look to BET for my news and my entertainment. If children are watching BET and getting the same vibes that I get, then I can only blame myself (and therefore Black America) for the state of our people.

Despite my comments, I would like to add that this article was very interesting and I did enjoy your commentary on the glorification of inappropriate events in history like the Alamo. Violence is wrong no matter who is doing it.

Pinkney responded:

Yes, in very large measure white America is collectively responsible for much of what you term "the lack of political activism in our community." That is what the infamous COINTELPRO activities were, and no doubt continue to be, all about - "neutralizing" political consciousness raising, organizing, and dissent - particularly in the Black communities throughout the United States. [Reference and click on COINTELPRO Revisited by Brian Glick and COINTELPRO/BPP-Assata Speaks - Hands Off Assata-Pan-Africa ].

Moreover, the so-called educational system and mass media of white America consistently perpetuate Black stereotypes, self hatred, and disinformation, including on the college/university level. [Reference two BC commentaries - Black Face In The Halls Of Higher Education by L. Jean Daniels and the MassMedia/CoverStory in Issue 233].

Obviously, we Black people in America bear an extremely important role and responsibility in raising our social and political consciousness, as that is a significant part of what it means really 'to be Black in America.'

However, with regard to your statement that "a lot of today's problems are stemmed from our own culture," I must beg to disagree with you. Indeed, I would submit to you that most of the problems that we Black people face today are precisely because of a the lack of our having an intact culture, which was ripped away from us and from which white America continues to benefit at enormous cost to Black, Red, and Brown peoples today in America and throughout the world.

As a Black person who is also very proud of my Indigenous/Native blood, and as former co-chair/vice president of a Native ("Indian") Brotherhood Organization on this continent, I am poignantly aware of the fact (which you pointed out) that Black people "are not the only...oppressed" people on this stolen land; and have often written about this reality. [Reference and click on OP-ED -FriendsOfPeltierSite/AmDemocracy.... ].

With respect to your reference to "BET" as "our own network;" the policy decisions are by no means determined or driven by us Black people, and if memory serves me correctly it is no longer even still owned by a biologically Black person. In any event, being a caricature of white America does not represent freedom or consciousness. It represents another form of mental colonization, without which social, political, and economic domination could not be maintained. As to "violence:" poverty and injustice are its worst forms.

Thank you so very much for writing to me. It was a delight receiving your email letter.

Yours respectfully,

In struggle,
Larry Pinkney, BC Columnist

We receive a large number of email messages at BC and apologize for not being able to publish more of your emails in this space. We thank all those who write; your comments are appreciated.

Your comments are always welcome.