Apparently, the NAACP believes this cause should top their list of priorities. This movement seems wasteful, considering the larger issues that negatively affect the black community. The deterioration of African American neighborhoods across the country, schools systems with students incapable of performing the basic skills to function in society, and preachers who use the church to "pimp" members and collect money from their “tricks”, commonly called a congregation. Sadly, rap music has mistakenly been targeted as the culprit for many of these problems.
Instead of attacking the rap music genre, there should be an attack on city officials. A large percentage of black neighborhoods are usually the center of crime, and poverty. Take a trip on any Martin Luther King blvd in the country and unacceptable neighborhoods are what you will find. An individual should not be able to find a leaf on the ground near a street named after this civil rights leader. There should be pressure on the police departments to provide the same protection given to white Americans. The NAACP should use its power to keep criminals behind bars, especially those committing black on black crimes. A safe and clean neighborhood can only be accomplished by replacing bail bond and liquor stores with real businesses, and placing criminals behind bars who terrorize and destroy our communities. Improving the school systems is also another key element in the rising of black communities.
Many African American schools fall severely below normal standards. The problem starts from the physical structures to the lack of academic progress among the students. This problem starts from the dirty and deteriorated elementary schools and lead all the way to the under funded HBC'S (Historically black colleges). The NAACP should pressure every predominately black school system in American to improve. Even at the highest level of education our institutions are failing. Many problems facing black Americans could be solved with additional pressure on the African American churches.
The NAACP should put pressure on preachers to make the church the center of the community. The black church has become nothing more than "Show time at the Apollo" for preachers. Many preachers are to busy jumping around, dancing, and singing like circus clowns while accomplishing zero in the communities. If the preachers of these churches were effectively servicing the community, schools and neighborhoods would not have the appearance of bomb shelters. The work of a preacher is usually evident by the surrounding community. The church should be a place of worship, but also should be the catalyst for a growing environment. Rebuilding the church community is the most important area the NAACP should focus on.
The NAACP is a very powerful organization. This organization could serve blacks Americans more effectively by attacking the main issues affecting black America. They should encourage individuals to use their buying power to make changes. Too many black organizations focus on unimportant issues. Performing mock funerals are only a waste of time and effort. The NAACP instead should focus on preventing real people from being in caskets.
During the 98th NAACP convention Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm stated, “Let's say good riddance to the vestiage of slavery and racism, and say hello to a society that embraces all it's people.” The governor should feel proud that she was able to read her lines without balling up in a knot from laughter. Governor Granholm, and many of the "so called" leaders could care less about "a society that embraces all it's people", as she stated. This type of pre-written garbage is a perfect example of why this event was the equivalent to a one-word Easter speech. The demonstration was no more than a political showcase for certain figureheads, and should not be taken serious by black Americans.
Why did it take an old white talk show host to encourage the NAACP to push this issue? The reason is mostly dollars and cents. The politicians took the opportunity to jump on the "Imus issue" to get exposure. After the Imus incident the NAACP Youth Component launched a national Stop Campaign to end the prevalence of racist and sexist language and images in the media. If black women are opposing to being called "B's" and "H's", maybe they should act in that manner. The civil right group should encourage young black women to close their legs and open their minds and stop glorifying the thug image.
The rappers that are being targeted only rhyme about what they experience. If violence, drugs and groupies were not a large part of gansta rappers lives, they would not write about it. The NAACP has let white America convince you that racism and the use of the “N-word” by CEO's and other individuals is black Americans fault. Prejudice white men in the board rooms will still use the “N-word” when among his friends. Racist individuals believe blacks are spear chunking, watermelon and chicken eating monkeys that deserves a one-way ticket back to Africa. Many white believe unless you are dunking a basketball, running a touchdown, or tap dancing in black-face and a bow tie, black are worthless to society. White Americans that are truly not prejudice would never use the "N-word" in a derogatory manner. Instead of wasting valuable time with the Imus issue, the NAACP should focus on other issues.
The NAACP should focus on the crooked black politicians, preachers, school superintendents, and "so called" black leaders. These are the enemies that are hurting the black community, not Imus or the “N-word”. In 1944, a similar mock funeral to put to rest “Jim Crow” was effective because the real issue was tackled. Today, these types of events are no different than the local barber shop on a Saturday morning. Everyone talks loud and nothing ever gets done. The NAACP will never focus on the crooked black figures because those individuals run in the same circle. Today it's all about attention and money, not uplifting other blacks. The majority of the money made never makes it back into the communities. Many people wonder why boycotts of companies always suddenly end. The answer is simple, a few tokens are promoted, they pick up their banana chips and the issue never gets solved. The boycott is usually called off when the proper leaders are paid hush-money by large corporations.
African Americans refraining from the use of the “N-word” will have zero effect on any real issues. Abolishing the word is a good idea in theory, but there are higher priorities. Hopefully, the next NAACP events will not be silly and worthless demonstrations, filled with individuals more concerned about paying their Cadillac notes than improving black America. The next event should be one that addresses some real issues. The next event should target some of the high profile black Americans that are using their power for their own benefit. An event such as this would be a problem, because it would expose many of the NAACP's own members and friends. The “N” word may have been buried by the NAACP, but it will never be buried in the hearts and minds of America.
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