The NAACP:
What Are They Doing?

The mission of this national organization is to improve the political, educational, social and economic status of minority groups. The rumor mill had determined that the local NAACP was defunct and no longer available to the area. So when it was announced that not only was the group still in operation, but was in fact installing officers, I attended to get firsthand information.

During the November 27^th meeting of the Accomack County branch NAACP, the association's president, Rev. A. C. Sinclair, spent most of the session, while I was present, discussing plans for an upcoming baby contest as a fund raiser.

When he asked me to introduce myself to the group, I stated my interest in any information regarding the recent activities of their attempts to deal with school conflicts and other community issues that directly affect African Americans. What work was being done that was relevant to their mission?

Rev. Sinclair stated that he had recently resolved several school and employment issues, but could not give any details. His inability to get a consensus in time for the recent public meeting concerning the proposal to build a Wal-Mart store in Onley, Virginia was stated as the reason there had not been a voice on behalf of the association for or against the proposal at the session.

Now I don't envy Rev. Sinclair's position and know firsthand that the politics can get so cloudy that you can never be sure you're talking with the right people who will honestly consider what you have to say. And sometimes the person who agrees with you may not be able to sway the vote in your favor. It's a dirty and often thankless job, and he's doing things in his familiar way.

Maybe "familiar" is the factor that needs to be adjusted. They are still fighting inequalities with the same old methods, which means they will continue to get the same minute results. But I believe, and have always believed, there is another way to improve the political, educational, social and economic status of African Americans. To truly change the status quo, African Americans need to stop crawling around on the floor of dependency and stand up and take care of themselves and each other as a group. They need to stop blaming everybody else for their economic status. They must take responsibility for themselves as a people.

"Respect is earned." I'm sure you've been told that most of your life. But what have you done to deserve respect as a group? As long as you don't pool your efforts to become as independent as other races, you can expect to get the mere crumbs others leave behind. A prime example of blocking your own fortune. Of course it is not possible to make such "radical" changes overnight. But you have to start a journey in order to finish it.

I challenge you to find others who want to build through a cooperative effort and begin taking steps toward a joint venture. The first step is to develop a plan and a backup plan.