In the month of February, as many people know is black history month. Though we are still faced with many different challenges in the United States, we must not romanticize about the past civil rights issues. What I mean by that, we do not need to do things such as marching over the Edmund Pettis Bridge because Dr. Martin Luther King and A. Philip Randolph among others, forward that movement, which spear headed the Voters Rights and Civil Rights Act. What we must do as a people and or communities is band together and protect the rights which were fought for us. The justice system is flawed and need revamping. Strategically, voters’ rights to vote are being stripped by unconstitutional guidelines that the right wing Republican Governors are instituting in certain states. Today urban communities still are dealing with the issue of modern day racism. Racism is not sick, have aids, broken leg or cancer, racism is alive and well. People in leadership remain reluctant to implement strategy to bridge the gaps in the communities abroad and locally.
What am I talking about? Well, on January 30, 2012, I had the pleasure of attending the NAACP meeting. I am very active in the community attending meeting whether it is council, school board and NAACP meetings. On that particular day I wanted to address the president of the Salem County Chapter NAACP. I wanted to let him know that I have no personal quarrels with him or other members of the organization. As an activist, I have an issue with the organization and their disinclination approach to not just civil rights issues in Penns Grove, which I have previously, wrote about but civil rights issues county wide. How can you call yourself a civil rights organization and not deal with civil rights issues? I made mention to a meeting that local clergy and I had a meeting with the County Superintendent, Robert Bumpus on January 27, 2012. The president of the NAACP was apathetic to listening, as he was more concern getting out the meeting early, perhaps to catch a television show.
The president identified that Woodstown School District only having one African American in the whole entire school system. So my question was since the president is aware of the lack of minority teachers throughout the county, why has he not made a push or some type of sit down meeting to bring this issue to a demise? A woman from the NAACP Education Board said to me that she was offended by my letter to the editor. So I said, "I am offended that this Salem County NAACP organization; a civil rights organization, do not address civil rights issues or any type of issues in the county." Yet the organization was so ebullient, when it came to organizing for an award ceremony for black history month, in which that is the only time the Salem County Chapter NAACP can say they are doing something. In my opinion, it is sad that the organization cannot organize to address the injustices of the communities county wide.
Now I see why Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., said "If the negro wants to be free, he must move down into the inner resources of his own soul and sign with a pen his own Emancipation Proclamation." Malcolm X also said, "We need a self-help program." Perhaps, they knew that leadership will one day falter again, when it comes to the people that are under oppression of injustices. As long as this method of leadership continue, crime rate, school drop-outs, teenage pregnancy will elevate. The so called civil rights organization; Salem County NAACP will continue to host parties to give out awards to some that are less deserving of an award, like the president of the Penns Grove-Carneys Point School District. I was appalled when I heard that he was getting an award, all I could do is say to myself, for what? The school district is considered an underperforming school district by the state, he has not implemented a strategy to attack the illiteracy problem in the community yet he will be awarded. Where are the fruits of his labor? What family or student, have benefit from any type of intervention? The students have not benefit from his leadership. I would have felt better if the NAACP said that the janitors of Penns Grove Carneys Point School District will receive an award, at least I can testify to their contributions.
Since this is black history month, we must understand that Martin Luther King Jr., was not assassinated so we can remain silent about the injustices, Medgar Evars was not shot in his back, coming from NAACP meeting, so that civil rights organizations, such as Salem County NAACP, can remain apathetic to the people issues or struggles. Yes this is a problem that cannot fix itself overnight. We must band together and put our egos down so there may be a vicarious victory for the communities of Salem County and other communities abroad. Frederick Douglass said, “Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.”
There has to be unity in the community to suppress the conflicts that keep community divided. Leadership must step up in regards to community outreach. We cannot be afraid to speak up for what is right, for what is just and for what is the truth. Until leadership in the Salem County NAACP step up, I have to shine light in dark places, I will speak when other people will not talk, I will continue to speak a word when others are scared and I will walk where others are coward. I believe the younger generation, my generation, must step up to take on leadership roles in the community. If people have not watched the news, the masses of the people are rising up and dethroning the leadership of the old. Look at the country of Egypt, London and occupy Wall Street movement in the United States. The people are simply saying, "We are fired up and we are not taking the mistreatment no more because we want to be free. That is why we celebrate Black History Month. Black history was not made by those who gave up and disenfranchise themselves from the people of the community which they lived. Black history was made by those who refuse to lose and by those who were told they could not have their freedom.
Ida B. Wells-Barnett said, “The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.”
No Justice, No Peace!
Walter L. Hudson Sr./Chairman
Community Awareness Alliance
Penns Grove, New Jersey
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