NAACP: A New Definition Of Black Sheep

Jerry Brooks

As a black American who’s adopted conservatism, I’m full aware that this particular commentary is going to spark more than its share of controversy. But I’ve grown exasperated with the incessant outpouring of half-truths, toxic rhetoric, and outright lies told to black Americans and especially about black conservatives by the NAACP.

The NAACP was once a proud organization that was founded by both black and whites to improve conditions for minorities and to elevate their quality of life to achieve a colorblind society with opportunities to succeed. Sadly the current leadership of the organization, namely Julian Bond and Kweisi Mfume, have become nothing more than race baiters, poverty pushers, and shepherds over the flock of black Americans who heed the call of their Democratic Party overlords.

The recent ruckus over President Bush’s ‘no show’ at their annual convention last week in Philadelphia created all kinds of outrage by the usual crowd of self-anointed, self-appointed black leaders. They may have wanted President Bush to show up, but only to give them a clear shot to decimate him and treat him with their usual contempt. The great poet Milton summed up the situation this way when he said,

“Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.”

And why should President Bush have gone? So the NAACP can create another James Byrd ad so he can be erroneously accused of being a racist again like they did in 2000? I don’t think so.

In the interest of full disclosure, I’m not a member of the NAACP, but my feelings are shared by some of their members. Most notably, Secretary of Education Rod Paige. In a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, Secretary Paige clearly made his feelings known about the highly partisan antics of this once great organization and its leaders. The secretary began his comments with this,

“I have a message for the NAACP's Julian Bond and Kweisi Mfume, who have accused black conservatives of being the "puppets" of white people, unable to think for ourselves: You do not own, and you are not the arbiters of, African-American authenticity.”

Isn’t that the truth! For too long, black liberals have treated black conservatives with the utmost contempt and incivility. For some inexplicable reason, an articulate, independent-minded black American is equated with being the anti-Christ in the minds of people like Bond and Mfume. Not every black American wants to live on the Democratic Party’s plantation and those who leave are seen as somehow betraying their race.

Secretary Paige continued his analysis,

“Mr. Bond and Mr. Mfume have done a great disservice to our organization, and to the founders of the civil-rights movement, with their hateful and untruthful rhetoric about Republicans and President Bush. How ironic that they would direct this vitriol at a president who has appointed more African-Americans to high-profile posts, has committed more funds to fight AIDS in Africa, has championed minority homeownership, and has supported more trade and aid for African and Caribbean nations than any other administration.”

In spite of all of these tremendous achievements forward, Bond and Mfume still insist on taking black Americans backward to live in a past that no longer exists. Who would have thought 40 years ago that 2 distinguished black Americans would be shaping foreign policy and national security? Who would have thought that another black American would be shaping education policy for not just black children, but for all children and thereby molding the future? Who would have thought that another great black American, HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson, would be shaping housing policy, an issue that many minorities consider important? All of these outstanding black Americans are currently serving in this administration. Now that’s what I call real advancement for minorities.

Another key issue for blacks is education. Having had 3 teachers in my own family, I completely understand the need for quality education in order for kids to succeed. Especially in inner city urban communities where too many schools have failed minority kids thus creating an achievement gap the size of the Grand Canyon. Paige continues in his article,

“The president's steadfast support of the (No Child Left Behind) law, along with his creation of the first federally funded choice program targeting low-income families, demonstrates his belief that poor and minority parents deserve the same school choices as better-off parents who have the means to vote with their wallets and feet. Through his education policies alone, President Bush has done more for the African-American community than any previous president, including the so-called first black president, Bill Clinton. That's a secret some black leaders may not want millions of African-American voters to know.”

If the NAACP has honest policy disputes, I have no problem with that. But to just engage in totally noxious rhetoric and blind partisanship for no other reason except politically motivated hatred, speaks poorly of the group and does the black community as a whole no good. The NAACP is way out of the mainstream and I can only hope for the sake of the organization, that it can restore its credibility by ousting its current leaders so they can halt their exponential slide into irrelevance.

For over a decade, I’ve fought for black Americans to have the best possible chance to succeed. This can’t be done unless the vicious cycle of poverty, government dependence, violence, substance abuse, and irresponsible behavior is utterly crushed. Otherwise, the NAACP and others of their ilk will continue to lead the sheep into the hands of their white liberal shepherds where pastures of victimization, academic ruin, and entitlements await them.

As I’ve said on numerous occasions, being a victim is a one-time event, not a lifestyle.

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Jerry Brooks is a regular contributing columnist with The Washington Dispatch and currently resides in Spokane, Washington. He's the Regional Coordinator for The Western Conservative Alliance (a multi-state grassroots orgnization) and a former congressional candidate in Oregon's 3rd Congressional District. He's now active with the Washington State Young Republicans.

blkconserv@mail.com