Naacp

Professor · #1 02-13-2002, 02:12 PM

Why are you not a member of the NAACP?

SeriousAKA · #2 02-13-2002, 03:02 PM

What an excellent question!!! I ask people all of the time. The most response I get is that it costs too much and I even hear that they don't see its relevance! What a shame!!!

Unfortunatley though, many of the young adults (ages 25-35) don't belong where I live because of the amount of older people who happen to be stuck in their ways.

NinjaPoodle · #3 02-13-2002, 03:35 PM

I'm a card carrying member for the past 3 years. I live in San Francisco and the chapter out here has yet to send me anything, newsletters or anything else for that matter. Any correspondence has come from the HQ which has only been 2 things, membership renewal and the Crisis magazine. I've contacted my local office several times and I've gotten no response. It makes me angry because I didn't join JUST to carry a card. If they continue to treat people like this, I can see why others may be reluctant to join. Now maybe it's just this particular chapter? I also called the Oakland chapter and no response. What's up?

I almost forgot. As far as costs, the basic membership is $25. A student can afford that.

Honeykiss1974 · #4 02-13-2002, 04:02 PM

For me, I have other committments that prevent me from becoming a member and participating in the NAACP. I am an active member of the NCNW, Dress for Success volunteer, a fubdraiser and host for the Children's Miracle Network, and a board member of Catholic Charities here in my city. I guess, I could join and just be a "financial" member, but I wouldn't want to shortchange the organization by being half azzed or deadweight.

AKA2D '91 · #5 02-13-2002, 04:17 PM

I don't really know.

I haven't ever looked into becoming a member. I know I have easier access becoming a member of the Urban League.

The way that Alpha Kappa Alpha, at least the chapter I am a member of has me going, I don't think I could give another organization the time. I'm trying to keep the little social life that I have, there are only 7 days in a week, and AKA takes 5 and sometimes 6 days.

I'm glad I'm not the Basileus!

Dexter · #6 02-13-2002, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Professor
Why are you not a member of the NAACP?

HERE'S WHY :

1) Most of my chapter in college were members (because Kwesi Mfume) graduated from Morgan State University) and they never did anything outside of meeting together one night a week.

2) They are REACTIVE and not PROACTIVE when it comes to taking positions on certain issues and situations.

fatto · #7 02-13-2002, 05:38 PM

Wonderful question posed by the Professor. I am not, and most likely will not be a registered member of the NAACP. I have and will continue to support many of the programs and/or events, but I do not see the benefit of membership.

I was taught by experience to question everything that comes my way, which is the reason that I often choose the road not taken. What is the purpose of this organization in the year 2002, 2003, and beyond? No, I am not brainwashed to believe that racism is non-existent. Nor do I believe that we (black folks) no longer need activists to fight our struggle. However, I do believe that people have God given talents that they are expected to utilize for the benefit of the common man. My talents happen to be in the business arena, and that is where I choose to specialize. After all, someone has to provide the funding for the large donations organizations such as the NAACP accept so freely.

I have recently found myself contemplating the necessity of these race-based organizations in the current times. Not only the NAACP, but there are organizations for blacks in business, blacks in engineering, blacks in theatre... Well I happen to know that there is plenty of talent inside those closed circles. Why is it that the rest of the world doesn't deserve to know?

Are we (African Americans) actually preserving the Jim Crow laws of yesterday in today's society?

prayerfull · #8 02-13-2002, 08:26 PM

My parents made me a life member of NAACP when I was 5 years old. The very first year they offered the Golden Heritage memberships, my parents bought Golden Heritage memberships for our entire family. In high school, I was president of our NAACP youth council, and at Howard, I was president of the NAACP chapter for 2 years.

Now that I've gotten that out of the way, I'll say this....every last one of "us" should be paid NAACP members - active or not. You may or may not agree with the current direction of the organization. However, the NAACP is able to make an impact based on the size of it's membership. Because the org. has always had a substantial membership, it is able to have a "voice".

Some chapters of NAACP are very active...others are not. In college, my chapter was very active. We worked. We led voter registration drives, held "issues" forums, etc. The point is, though, whether local chapter is or isn't active, please make sure your name is on the membership roster. Because we can only have a "voice" if we stay strong. If you don't think that your local chapter is taking the right approach to handling issues, get involved and make a difference.

MeezDiscreet · #9 02-13-2002, 11:57 PM

i've been a member since 1999

CkretCrush8 · #10 02-14-2002, 12:05 AM

Because I don't see it's relevance in today's society. They need to change their mission and goals to be more relevant to today's soceity. Besides the fact, I haven't really considered becoming a member since high school.

Professor · #11 02-14-2002, 11:11 AM

Thank you for freely expressing your views. Now here is my take on the NAACP.

The NAACP exists to address the issue of CIVIL RIGHTS. The message is still the same! Young adults and especially college-educated folk should realize that "freedom is not free!" Many of the successes and opportunities that we celebrate, i.e. jobs, college education, opportunity to eat in any restaurant is a result of many folk that fought and continue to fight against discrimination and segregation.

It is unfortunate that many individuals feel that the NAACP is no longer needed. For your consideration, when an issue of racism or discrimination arise who do you telephone? The NAACP is the only organization that will help those regardless of membership. For example, when black guests at the Adams Mark Hotel in Florida were asked to wear risk bands and advised not to use certain parts of the hotel the NAACP was the first to take up the cause. As a result of the NAACP ban of the franchise and legal action an out of court settlement was reached. One can also sight the case with Denny's Restaurant.

The NAACP continues to fight for civil rights. This volunteer organization of branches is the most powerful of civil right organizations. For those that continue to question the need please reconsider. For those that don't have time for another project, support the cause by becoming a paying member. For those that are disenchanted with a local branch, become active!

lil_sunshine · #12 02-21-2002, 07:08 PM

I've been an NAACP member since 1995 and have held a youth council position and a NYS youth position. I've won a few awards also. I'm also a proud member of the NCNW and have been since 1992. I have won awards from them as well. I'm not sure why other people aren't members of the NAACP, but I can't speak for everyone!

ENDROAD · #13 02-24-2002, 12:57 PM

Quote:

HERE'S WHY :

2) They are REACTIVE and not PROACTIVE when it comes to taking positions on certain issues and situations.

DITTO. I choose not to join an organization just for the sake of saying I am a member.

SeriousAKA · #14 02-27-2002, 01:09 PM

How about helping to make the change? The NACP CAN be a PROACTIVE organization if we make it so. It only takes a few.

The Original Ape · #15 03-01-2002, 09:30 PM

I was a member up until two years ago. I ran out of time, quite honestly. Inspite of what people think, I think it can be a real force in the lives of people today if more younger people would take an active role in it.