The Black Informant | African American Commentary, News and Community Building

J. Whyatt Mondesire, head of the NAACP’s Philadelphia branch believes an influential figure like Simmons would appeal to the youthful demographic they seek to reach.

“We are basically 2,200 local organizations with a national title,” Mondesire told Newsday. “The organization needs a heavyweight with a national reputation who can raise money, who has a vision and who has the connections to push us forward with a modern civil rights agenda.” (more…)

I know that some of you are already thinking that this is yet another rant against the NAACP by an “uppity” Negro that does’ nt have anything else to talk about. Hopefully this posting will be a little different as I want to add some solutions to the dialog that is out there concerning this organization.

As you read in the excerpt above, there is some talk out there that suggests that with Kwasi Mfume no longer with the NAACP that Russel Simmons should be considered as a replacement. In my opinion, this would be a very bad move for Simmons.

Although there are some similarities, DC politics and the music industry are two different worlds. It is very true that the Hip-hop culture has grown into a very influential force in todays modern culture, however, up to this point in history it has not been able to grow into a formidable political force as far as Washington is concerned. Initiatives such as Sean Comb’s “Vote or Die” campaign and Simmons’ own “Hip-hop Summit Action Network” only show that this next generation of blacks still need to be encouraged to just vote (let alone having the drive to serve in public office).

Because of some of the contradictions that still exist in much of Hip-hop culture today (the way women are portrayed, violence, etc.) Simmons would have to separate himself from the world that he helped to create if he wanted to build allies on the political battlefield. I really don’t know if he would be willing to make that kind of sacrifice ( and understandably so).

Please don’t misinterpret this as some swipe against Simmons. No matter how you may personally feel about Hip-hop culture, you cannot overlook the genius he possesses to help build Hip-hop into a major cultural force that can been seen all over the world. I just think that Washington politics would be way out of his league, kinda like Jordan leaving basketball for baseball. Sooner or later he realized he needed to stick to what was natural to him.

In its present state, the NAACP has made itself just about irrelevant in the area of black progress in this country. They have demonstrated on numerous occasions they despite all of our achievements as a people since the civil rights era, they still choose to chase the ghost of Jim Crow as opposed to adjusting to the times. Sure, injustices towards blacks in this country still exists to a measure (this is one the main reasons why the NAACP still needs to exist in order to act as a “conscience” to the government as it relates to how people of color are treated in this nation), however, a “re-tooling” is needed by this organization in order to address the new issues that this next generation faces.

Let me expand on what mean when I say “adjusting to the times”. The NAACP was formed during a time of great oppression towards blacks in this nation. There is just something about human nature where almost instinctively we know that we have to work together if we want to survive. Blacks back in the day did not need to join an official “neighborhood watch” program in order to keep our communities safe. When Klan activity was rampid in this country, blacks knew that in order to stay somewhat safe, we had to look after each other. Today, with the threats of Jim Crow and Klan activity being just about eradicated and as a result, the sense of community our grandparents talk about that was the norm in their time is barely existent in today’s culture.

The NAACP was birthed during a time which freedom and equality was the forefront common denominator for blacks. Racism in those days was something that was in your face everyday. Although racism tried to force us out of mainstream America, it also did something else: it forced us as black people to work together. Today, the NAACP must realize that we (for the most part) no longer live in that kind of tyranny. Without the fuel of “oppression ” towards blacks (which is increasingly becoming a thing of the past) , the NAACP will not be able to return to it former glory of being a true voice for the people instead of being a mouthpiece for the Left.

Here are some steps I believe would help the NAACP make this transition:

#1. The present leadership must begin to acknowledge present-day successes and achievements by black folk, and less emphasis on Jim Crow.

#2. The present leadership must also abandon many of its Liberal associations and embrace new leadership that represents a greater cross-section of black Americans.

#3 Emphasize self-improvement instead of perpetuating the notion that the government is to blame for everything black Americans don’t have.

Although this is just a short list, I think it would be a good start.

I believe that the NAACP still has a lot to offer to the black community, however, major change needs to take place in that organization if it is to continue to have longevity and relevance.