NAACP
Convenes in Houston
NAACP CONVENES IN HOUSTON
By
Dr. Anne T. Sulton, Esq.,
Senior International Correspondent
|
Menola Upshaw
|
HOUSTON, TEXAS: The
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) outlined
its bold and ambitious agenda. At the top of its list is registering hundreds
of thousands of new voters. Menola Upshaw, President of the Denver Branch
of the NAACP and member of the National NAACP Board of Directors, stated:
"Throughout this great nation, we must ensure all citizens are encouraged
to vote, all eligible voters are registered to vote and vote, and all
votes are counted."
Mrs. Upshaw also stressed
the importance of youth participation in the NAACP. Dr. Carolyn Phillips,
a school psychologist and coordinator of the Denver NAACP youth group,
praised Mrs. Upshaw's work that resulted in a dramatic increase in the
number of youth participating in the NAACP throughout the State of Colorado.
The Denver NAACP helped
to set the convention's tone with its resolution calling for same day
voter registration. It provides that "voter participation and self-governance
are encouraged and protected by allowing eligible voters to register to
vote at polling places in the precinct where they reside on any election
day and to vote on the same day they register." This resolution was
enthusiastically endorsed and unanimously passed by delegates elected
by over 1,500 NAACP adult, college and youth branches across the world.
|
Both NAACP Chairman Julian
Bond and NAACP President/CEO Kweisi Mfume echoed NAACP delegates' sentiments
that the need to register voters is urgent. During his keynote address on Sunday,
Mr. Bond acknowledged progress made, but cautioned we still have much work to
do. On Monday, Mr. Mfume encouraged the thousands of delegates in attendance
to take more seriously their roles and responsibilities as local leaders of
this nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization.
During Tuesday's Resolutions
session, a passionate debate occurred when Mr. Mfume offered an emergency resolution
to suspend a branch's charter if it failed to send delegates to state, regional
and/or national meetings. Among those voicing strong opposition to this resolution
was retired Cleveland Judge Sara Harper. Speakers had been warned their microphones
would be turned off if their speeches for or against a resolution lasted more
than three minutes. In two minutes, Judge Harper eloquently questioned the wisdom
of imposing such a harsh penalty - a penalty that would be suffered by all members
of such a branch. Apparently sensing he might lose the debate, Mr. Mfume rose
and spoke for almost ten minutes about the need for such a strong sanction.
This resolution passed - but not unanimously.
Highlights of the convention
included the warm welcome by Houston's charismatic three-term Mayor Dr. Lee
Brown, a special tribute to the first African American Marines, the ACT-SO competition,
the WIN Fashion Show, the worship services, and the membership luncheon. During
the membership luncheon, Mrs. Corinne Owens, of Racine, Wisconsin, was among
those recognized for service to the NAACP. Now over 90 years old, Mrs. Owens
has worked with the Racine Branch of the NAACP for decades. She is well known
for her "baby contest" that recognizes children and their parents
and raises money for the branch.
This year, the NAACP also
held its 18th Annual Lawyers Continuing Legal Education Seminar, sponsored in
conjunction with the National Bar Association. NAACP General Counsel Dennis
Hayes noted the variety of topics covered during the seminar are of importance
to civil rights attorneys, helping to sharpen their advocacy skills. During
the Seminar, trial lawyers, legal scholars, and criminologists discussed a wide
variety of issues, including recent Supreme Court decisions, employment discrimination,
predatory lending practices, voting, environmental justice, immigration, and
gender, race and crime issues. Vickie Spriggs lamented the fact that so many
juveniles of color are caught in the system's web. Dr. Vernetta Young discussed
the shocking increase in the number of women of color incarcerated in state
and federal prisons. James Harrington and Will Harrell discussed the important
roles played by the ACLU of Texas and the Texas Civil Rights Project, demonstrating
the importance of forming alliances with other groups of lawyers of conscience.
Next year's convention is
scheduled for Miami, Florida.