Comments on: Is the NAACP Relevant? It’s Up to You

By: Elie Parker

Elie Parker — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:28:13 +0000

For the NAACP to be relevant, it needs to address the economic needs of the poor. In order to do that, the NAACP should build businesses to create jobs, build schools to improve education, encourage healthy eating habits to save lives and reduce health cost, and promote family planning to reduce the number of unmarried mothers. At the same time, the NAACP should discourage the use of those things that harm poor families like alcohol, drugs and tobacco products. The Black community can do this. Like President Obama said, we must take responsibility for our own destiny.

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:34:39 +0000

The NAACP works. A whole lot of stand up citizens work together to make this a better world and that is always relevant. Lifetime member and thankful for those who gave their lives and those that continue to do so for all of us. Keep up the good work.
"IT TAKES TEAMWORK TO MAKE THE DREAMWORK"
One

By: Clint, GA

Clint, GA — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 23:30:38 +0000

The NAACP has always been a very progressive organization; however, over that past 10-15 years they have lost touch with the average black community. I hope the new young brother (Jealous)they recently brought on-board will change that, but the have an "old-mindset" (Bond and others) in dealing with current issues. The key for black's in this country is education and by that I mean pre-school, elementary, high-school, college and trade-schools. We got to end the drop-out rate for blacks (especially young black men). I remember when Mr. Gordon can on-board to try to change the "mindset" of the NAACP and the "old-school" broad members chased him out when he was trying to address economic and educational issues in black America. I hope they give Jealous a chance to change the "mindset" of the NAACP, but the brothers like Bond will have to move on. They are not doing anything but pulling down a "nice payday" and that got to end. They need to go back to the "roots" of the black community to and change the overall direction of Black America. Mr Obama's election as President should give all of Black America a reason to get off the asses and stop the excuses ... Enough said.

By: simone hardy

simone hardy — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:00:33 +0000

The challenge lies in each of us to no longer look to Obama, NAACP, or any other entity, institution, or person to take charge of us and be the captains of our own souls. The NAACP may have served a vital function some time ago but now it is up to each one of us - Looking at the man, woman and child in the mirror - to take 100% responsibility for where they are personally, financially, spiritually, emotionally and physically to change ourselves. If we do that there will be enough good and positive energy to change the universe. We need to learn to mind our own business - You, Inc.

By: eric

eric — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 20:10:20 +0000

I am challenged to see how the NAACP can affect any change at all in the Black community. I live in a high poverty community. To 'solve' problems the 'leaders' have worked to shut down problem bars and restaurants and stores. Unfortunately, this has resulted in folks hanging out on the corners and a siege mentality amongst the many who live here. The only true meeting spot in the community right now is the Urban League headquarters! There are no spaces to network in. There is no community culture, just one of survival which is very similar to prison! The NAACP has moved communities in the North Central US in particuliar Minneapolis back into the 50's and actually regressed educational advances made. Now the NAACP has done wonders in the Black Prosperity Belt lets be clear the success of Blacks in Houston, Atlanta, etc cannot be denied and the NAACP has played the leadership role in this. It has however done this at the expense of Minneapolis.

By: cherryl was here

cherryl was here — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:48:43 +0000

very insightful article. hope they have tiered memberships cuz folks in the hood - who need the memberships the most - are not going to part with too much dough for an organization that doesn't affect their everyday lives in an immediately impactful way.