User Rating: / 1
PoorBest 

Tuesday, 07 September 2010 05:00

When lynching was rampant, the NAACP led the protests to outlaw it. It also fought Jim Crow laws when it was hard for Americans to imagine anything but segregation in all areas of life. Equality before the law, the right to vote, integration of the nation's public schools, fair housing and the opening of public and private institutions to all Americans were signature issues for the NAACP.

That has made the civil rights group high-minded, pragmatic and effective in its century-long role as the nation's racial conscience. Until recently, it has scrupulously avoided wading into the actual muck of partisan politics.

At its annual convention this year, the NAACP called upon the tea party movement to disavow its racist elements, especially those who appear with racist signs at its gatherings. Angry tea party members responded by accusing the group of being partisan.

Last week, the NAACP announced it was co-sponsoring a website that tracks the racism and extremism of the tea party movement. It is pooling resources with three left-leaning media groups that have extensive experience in tracking political extremists.

Holding the tea party accountable for its rhetoric is fine, but with the bad economy disproportionately affecting African-Americans, the NAACP has bigger issues than racial epithets shouted in crowds.

Let Think Progress, Media Matters for America and New Left Media handle this. The NAACP should be crafting an agenda for jobs and education, not monitoring nasty signs and people wearing rude T-shirts.

Comments (4)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

...
written by myreply, September 07, 2010 - 10:07 AM

When the NAACP stops acting the "victim" and starts being the "solution", they will see an end to the racism they so fondly view as their Eden.

Perhaps when the older generation dies off, and the younger folks join the ranks of this organization - the view will be different. Certainly it has made a difference on other issues this country has tackled.

Until then it will just be more of the same.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by myreply, September 07, 2010 - 10:51 AM

Just saw a report of a Black Panther guy name Michael Mohammed, who was picketing against the nut job who was burning the Korans on 9/11. (That last name is just so original)

He said, and I quote: "I believe in peace, but if you aggress me, I'll fight back".

Aggress me!!!!!!!

And the Black Panthers actually believe in peace!!!

Who knew.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by myreply, September 07, 2010 - 11:53 AM

Jeepers. I should not have called the burners, nut jobs.

After all those on this panel will be the first to tell you - as they did the posters against the mosque in NY - that is their right.

Right?

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by myreply, September 07, 2010 - 02:12 PM

The pres. just issued a statement about the Koran burnings:

He "strongly condemns" it.

Gee whiz, what ever happened to those rights you were just talking about - you know, the ones about the mosque.

I guess right are only right when you say so.

• 
• +0
• 
•