The NAACP is holding its 98th Annual Convention (July 7-12, 2007) where it will conduct seminars and workshops to explore new ideas to address

Inglewood California

On “TALKING POINTS: EXCESSIVE USE OF FORCE,” the NAACP lists statistics related to police brutality and excessive force. A number of disturbing statistics are listed, the most revealing of which regards Austin, Texas, which states:  of 6,447 reports of use of force, there was only one incident where a supervisor suggested any wrongdoing by an officer.

The page also lists seven “Policy Recommendations.”  The policy recommendations, while quite sensible, are far from being proactive. They amount to idealistic suggestions with no means of implementation. One example:  “Accountability: Incidents of excessive use of force and disparities in arrest should be tracked for individual officers and used as a factor in promotion and retention.”

Police abuse remains one of the most persistent problems African Americans face on a very individual and personal level, particularly Black males. It is also a societal problem that is highly resistant to change. U.S.A.ThisWeek is offering ideas that, if put in place, will amount to active steps being taken to confront and begin to reverse these deplorable acts.  U.S.A. ThisWeek is offering the NAACP a common sense plan that will make the organization genuinely proactive in the area of Police abuse and excessive force.

Racial Profiling:

It would appear that the widespread unconstitutional practice of police unjustifiably stopping and searching black motorists would be an appropriate vehicle for the NAACP’s legal defense fund to file class action suits in every city, borough and hamlet where these practices are taking place. Make the cities pay money to violate the constitutional rights of Black citizens in pursuing their racist agenda. The depletion of city funds will force city officials to stop ignoring and tacitly supporting this activity. Successfully pursued, the lawsuits could also replenish the coffers of the organization.

Excessive Force and Police Brutality:

In the case of police abuse and excessive force, we have an even more workable idea which we proposed over ten years ago when we presented the concept to the Congressional Black Caucus. The response, or lack of it, shows why we need a newsmedia vehicle representing the interests and concerns of African Americans that can hold accountable those who purport to represent Black people. Having a voice in the form of a national weekly news magazine means we can monitor and expose not only those who are against us but also keep honest those who profess to be for us.

In 1994, soon after the Rodney King beating, I sent each member of the Congressional Black Caucus a certified letter suggesting the following:

Rodney King Beating

Each of the Congressional Black Caucus members received the letter and we have the certified “return receipt requested” form verifying the delivery. I think of Ron Dellums, Maxine Waters, John Conyers and other congressmen as people (one would like to think) who are open to ideas that are both workable and beneficial to African Americans and who will make a difference.  To the surprise of some and consistent with the predictions of others, the letter received no response. And of course no such practice was ever implemented.

The NAACP, with its many local chapters in most cities, is actually in a better position to implement such a plan than the Congressional Black Caucus. The NAACP can establish a national “800-Police Abuse” number and have its local units install their own numbers with the information collected to be funneled up to the national office.  In time, it can compile and publish the resulting data and determine what other measures to take or how to use the information most effectively.

The idea of being proactive is desirable but it means deeds not just words. Suggestions have merit but action gets results. The U.S.A ThisWeek proposals, if put into practice by the NAACP, would make their program genuinely proactive. The introduction of U.S.A. ThisWeek represents yet another common sense, proactive solution to a problem with which African Americans have been confronted from day one, which is bias in the media and the lack of a national voice.

 

Just when African Americans appeared to have settled into accepting the fact that Black is beautiful, here comes some ill inspired misdirected re-examination of what-shall-we- call-ourselves-now movement.

John Ridley

Who are these people intent on denying, Black as a color designation, or African American as our geographical heritage? These folk have apparently been waiting quietly and patiently for quite a while to get “Colored” back in and “Black and African American” out. Good try John but it ain’t gonna work.

The first I heard of this “people of color” thing being promoted was soon after the firing of Imus by MSNBC, during the musical chairs auditions to fill the Imus time slot. Joe Scarborough, former Florida Republican Congressman and now a cable TV talk show host, was one of the candidates. After the all White boys club “Imus in the Morning” show’s racial controversy that ended in Imus’ dismissal, no replacement on MSNBC would be without an obligatory Black face. Enter John Ridley.

John Ridley was one in a parade of African Americans who gained exposure during Imus’ “Nappy headed Ho’s “ week, in the successful campaign calling for Imus’ head. It worked out pretty well for John, because Joe Scarborough, who seems to have won the tryouts for Imus’ slot, included  Ridley as a member of his posse. 

In his first contribution bringing White folks current on what’s happening with African Americans, Ridley informed Joe and the audience on the latest politically correct way to refer to Black people. He announced that no longer is African American or Black acceptable. The new label is “People of Color.”

During the Wimbledon tennis tournament I heard Billie Jean King referring to Althea Gibson being the first “Woman of Color” to win the coveted trophy.  At that point it became clear this, “People of Color,” thing has legs.

Actually we’re all “People of Color.” All races can claim membership. White people are not really White and Black people are not truly Black. All people are of some color across the spectrum. Black or African American is far more specific and exclusive. 

It’s scientifically accepted that people are broken down into racial groups, Caucasians are considered White and Negroid is considered Black. I for one don’t understand this effort by some

James Brown

Okay so there are far more important issues, like global warming and world hunger, but here’s the point: we’ve been here and moved on, and someone needs to call it before more people buy into this earlier reject. Ironically, the liberating and empowering acceptance of “Black” and “African American,” for reasons not explained by Ridley, is being rejected for a variation on a label long ago considered unacceptable.  “Colored people ” is now being eased back in this thinly disguised “do over.” as “People of Color.” 

According to Ridley, “Negro can only be used when referring to “Negro Spirituals.” Colored is reserved for the “C” in the NAACP.” Amazingly, in explaining the history and the appropriate use of the earlier labels no longer in use, he fails to see the contradiction

Black people around the world have always been accepting and proud of their color and heritage and have not gone through the same schizophrenic self-identity search as American Blacks. Granted, part of this is attributed to the history of having been slaves with little control on how we were being described by slave owners and the mainstream news media. However, as we gained more control over our existence we have had these periodic label movements over what to be called. It took us a while to arrive at accepting “Black” which has so many negative connotations in our society. However thanks to the civil rights movement and the God Father of soul “Black” was embraced, but apparently not by the “John Ridley’s” in America.