February 11th, 2009
On February 12, 2009, the NAACP celebrates its 100th anniversary–which coincides with the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth—marking another milestone in the history of African American achievement in the United States.
The NAACP was formed partly in response to the continuing horrific practice of lynching and the 1908 race riot in Springfield, the capital of Illinois and birthplace of President Abraham Lincoln. Appalled at the violence that was committed against blacks, a group of white liberals that included Mary White Ovington and Oswald Garrison Villard, both the descendants of abolitionists, William English Walling and Dr. Henry Moscowitz issued a call for a meeting to discuss racial justice. Some 60 people, seven of whom were African American (including W. E. B. Du Bois, Ida B. Wells-Barnett and Mary Church Terrell), signed the call, which was released on the centennial of Lincoln's birth. [Find a more complete NAACP history at: NAACP.org.]
Since then, the NAACP has grown into being the nation's oldest, largest and most widely recognized grassroots–based civil rights organization. Its victorious legal battles and heroic protest methods that forcibly changed the abhorrent everyday practices and policies of racism in America are legendary and inspiring.
"The NAACP has successfully fought discrimination for 100 years and we are proud of our achievements to date," said NAACP National Board of Directors Chairman Julian Bond. "Our founders could not have dreamed that our centennial would coincide with the inauguration of the first African American president. We know we played a role in this triumph; sadly, we know our work is not done."
The NAACP's principal objective is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of minority group citizens of United States and eliminate race prejudice. The NAACP seeks to remove all barriers of racial discrimination through the democratic processes.
Heading into the 21st century, the NAACP is focused on disparities in economics, health care, education, voter empowerment and the criminal justice system while also continuing its role as legal advocate for civil rights issues.
"Our journey remains unfinished," said NAACP President and CEO Benjamin T. Jealous. "African Americans suffer disproportionately from the economic recession, we are seeing a rise in hate crimes and police killings, there is still not a level playing field in economic and educational opportunities for every community. The audacious dream of America, a land where opportunity exists for all and where every person is given a chance to reach their full potential, still remains elusive."
The NAACP will partly mark the 100th year of its founding by releasing a white paper that lays out an urgent civil and human rights agenda for the 111th Congress and new Administration.
The report calls for bailout and stimulus dollars to be made discrimination resistant, highlights the need for law enforcement accountability and identifies several key areas of pressing concerns including mass incarceration, health care, the diversion of funds from Katrina victims and climate change.
Across the country, NAACP units in over 1,200 communities will cut cakes, reaffirm their commitment to the struggle ahead and celebrate the NAACP's historic journey toward equality.
The biggest NAACP birthday party, the 40th NAACP Image Awards, will be co-hosted by filmmaker Tyler Perry and actress Halle Berry in Los Angeles at the Shrine Auditorium. [Check local listings for viewing details.] Awards will be given to numerous artists in the entertainment and literary industry with special nods to former Vice President Al Gore, environmentalist Wangari Muta Maathai, legendary boxer and humanitarian Muhammad Ali, hip hop icon Russell Simmons and others. The star-studded event officially kicks off the organization's year-long centennial celebration.
Key NAACP achievements and activities in the last 100 years include:
–In 1917, NAACP fights and wins the battle to enable African Americans to be commissioned as officers in World War I; 600 officers are commissioned and 700,000 register for the draft. In Buchanan vs. Warley, the Supreme Court concedes that states can not restrict and officially segregate African Americans into residential districts.
–In 1935, NAACP lawyers Charles Houston and Thurgood Marshall win the legal battle to admit a black student to the University of Maryland.
— Ban on discrimination in the federal government that led to integration of the U.S. armed forces in 1948; created by pressuring President Harry Truman to sign an Executive Order.
— Victorious Brown v. Board Supreme Court decision in 1954 that struck down the ‘separate but equal' doctrine and forced integration of public schools.
— Passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act; and its reauthorization in 2006.
–Passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
–In 2000, helped foster the largest black voter turnout in 20 years; and held the largest civil rights demonstration in the south to date where 50,000 protested the flying of the Confederate battle flag in South Carolina.
The real story of the nation's most significant civil rights organization lies in the hearts and minds of the people who would not stand idly by while the rights of America's darker citizens were denied. From bold investigations of mob brutality, protests of mass murders, segregation and discrimination, to testimony before congressional committees on the vicious tactics used to bar African Americans from the ballot box, it was the talent and tenacity of NAACP members that saved lives and changed many negative aspects of American society.
While much of NAACP history is chronicled in books, articles, pamphlets and magazines, the true movement lies in the faces—black, white, yellow, red, and brown—united to awaken the consciousness of a people and a nation. The NAACP will remain vigilant in its mission until the promise of America is made real for all Americans.
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