by Jonathan Blount – Guest columnist
At least there is some form of movement at this NAACP branch. Unfortunately, however, there appears to be no movement in the interest of the Civil Rights of the community we are mandated to serve. What have we done for “colored ” people here in Orlando except beg them to buy tickets so that some can go lavish it up at another convention that accomplished measurably NOTHING. It passes resolutions that resolve nothing.
We “advance” nothing but a constant repeat of chasing our tails. I bled, suffered and my friends died for the NAACP. We do that memory shame with our “meetin, greetin, shakin and fakin!”
We beg white people and institutions to buy tables and sponsorships and we don’t even give Black businesses the opportunity to bid on our inflated 10,000 copy souvenir booklet. We don’t even have the decency nor fiscal responsibility to get competitive bids on the order! Our president and Booklet Chair say, “We gone stay wid de one we been wid.” A white printer that reinvest nothing back in our community. How many Black families does he support with meaningful jobs? In the interest of transparency and to avoid the appearance of under the table impropriety, the Branch is duty bound to ensure a fair bidding process. It is not too late.
You do not speak to the access of local (especially Black) media to cover your pristine, show of stars convention. You purport to reserve credential access to the Special approved list of largely white media. They don’t give a damn about your mindless chattering.
What would Jesus say? “You wretched generation of suck up, spineless, selfish pit vipers. You are the same Negroes that still need to grow.”
We had to disgorge ourselves of your kind during our armed gun battles against the KKK and in our self-defense against Klan and local law enforcement lynch mob complicity. While you shuffled along begging for majority acceptance, we struck against the tyranny of segregated disenfranchisement.
When, if ever, will you realize that ain’t nobody gonna save us but us? I am not anti-white. I AM PRO BLACK! There were white brothers that bled and died right beside us. Many think your actions and inactions to be self-deprecating and defeating. You are stuck in being “colored.” I pray that you grow to ‘Black’ as an example to our next generation. They are homogenizing from any recognition of commitment to our people. I will not remain silent and muzzled on this critical cause. The easiest way for evil to triumph is for good people to do and say nothing. We did not overcome!
Jonathan Sebastian Blount is an originating Founder of ESSENCE Magazine. He can be reached at [email protected]
