I scarcely know how or where to begin to express my outrage, sorrow and weary disgust with the NAACP, a once venerable organization. I considered myself incapable of surprise at the antics of race hustler Sharpton, but I am surprised and dismayed at what is clearly a new low on his part.We posted on the horrific Dunbar Village gang rape case in Florida last year where a woman was raped by 10 men over a three hour period You can read the local coverage here. We noted then, as we do now, that part of what made this crime so horrible was the fact that during a 3 hour ordeal, despite the screams, no one came to the victims aid, and the terrible things which were done to the woman and her son. It was shocking, barbaric and horrific. What has made the horror of it grow more and more is that no black organization came to this woman's aid, to demand justice, to help her recover, nothing. Net activists at the blog What About Our Daughters have been calling people and organizations to account for not speaking out about it, from Sharpton, to Obama, to the NAACP and anyone else. The Obama campaign, despite repeated contacts from a variety of sources, has never responded. Neither has the Clinton campaign, nor did Sharpton. The NAACP, in response to requests to get involved on the victims behalf, actually said they would not because it was not in their mission. I mean their lack of any response was pathetic. Mind you, the Atlanta chapter had to rush to intervene on behalf of Michael Vick over his dogfighting trouble. And of course, Sharpton was johnny on the spot in defense of the alleged black female rape victim in that case, who supposedly had been assaulted by a whole team of white boys and turned out to be a liar. After many entreaties that were ignored, Sharpton finally responded to the Dunbar Village residents, set up an event with public officials, then canceled it at the last minute without advance notice, letting down the residents.
But finally, the NAACP and Sharpton have responded to the Dunbar Village atrocity and they are rushing in to the defense.......of the rapists. Sharpton and the local branch of the NAACP held a press conference to highlight the fact that the four teens arrested in the Dunbar Village case have not been granted bail, while white kids over in Boca Raton charged with rape got bail and are not being charged as adults.
Neither of these organizations could be bothered to even publicly speak out about the horrific crime that was committed against the victim in this case. The NAACP said it was not their concern and Sharpton blew off the residents of Dunbar Village. Now, both of these organizations think the smart thing to do is come to the defense of the rapists in this case. It demonstrates for all to see that the NAACP, once a very respectable organization, has completely lost its way and become disconnected from any sense of morality, integrity or decency and commonsense. In Sharpton's case, its a singular statement that he is only interested in opportunities to aggrandize himself and if exploiting a poor, gang raped black woman can help him grab some media spotlight, thats okay. There are unconfirmed reports at this writing that the NAACP has even sent attorneys to Florida to work on these rapists behalf.
The actions of Sharpton and the NAACP are despicable and disgusting in this case. I call on the NAACP to reverse itself and come to the aid of the victim in this case. I call on the national organization to rebuke the local chapter for this ill advised partnership with Sharpton. I call on every single NAACP member to demand that their local chapter tell the national organization to repudiate and cease and desist from any advocacy on the part of the perpetrators of this crime and to discontinue their membership if they do not. I call on every person black, white, brown or yellow to pressure the sponsors and corporate supporters of the NAACP to demand they address the Dunbar Village case properly and support the victim and if they do not, to withdraw, withhold or reduce their support. I call on all members of the national Black Action Network to repudiate Sharpton's actions. I call on any financial supporters of the Black Action Network to demand they reverse themselves and support the victim in this case, or have their support removed. I call on candidates Clinton and Obama to denounce this crime and crimes against women, and to rebuke the NAACP and Sharpton for their despicable actions in fighting for the rapists and deliberately, purposefully ignoring the vicious crime committed against a black woman. I call on every person who reads this to contact the media, these organizations, and anyone who will listen and tell them to denounce this foolishness.
This is a black accountability moment.
I used to be upset with the National Action Network & the NAACP because of their inaction on behalf of victims of Black on Black crimes. I learned to no longer look to them for support in issues that are the destruction of the Black community from within back when they ousted Ben Chavis as the Executive Director and CEO of the NAACP. Among one of the many reasons for his ouster was that he was pointing the NAACP into the direction of Black people uplifting Black people. The spokesperson said emphatically that the goal and mission of the NAACP was to "tear down the walls of racial inequality" specifically. From that point forward I have never ever respected or expected the NAACP and their "offspring" the NAN to help people in the times of need for victims of Black on Black destruction. This is not their mission, so we shouldn't call on them as they will not respond. Thus I have no anger with NAACP or the NAN since I see they are really becoming a relic in the arean of Civil Rights as more and more Black people are destroying us not "white folks." Its too bad they don't have the "cohones" to make their mission known openly to the community and the world.
ReplyDeleteThe NAACP's mission to address racial inequality and injustice is fine. I don't ask that they change it. The problem in this instance is not their mission, but their slavish devotion to it untethered from any moral compass or sense of right and wrong. A year ago, they could not be bothered to come to the aid of the Dunbar Village rape victim. They had no comment, were not moved by compassion or outrage to do a single thing, say a single word or lift a finger. Now, a year later, their local chapter wants to go into battle with the public authorities about whether or not these suspects were entitled to bail or the wisdom of charging them as adults, while at the same time, having done or said nothing to support the black woman in this case who was savagely attacked, tortured and degraded? The rights of these suspects (which have not been infringed in any way) they now want to rush to the defense of, to the point of championing that these suspects in one of the most vile rape cases ever seen should be released back into the community before trial? If they cannot understand the problem, they are smoking dogfood and the black community should call them to account. This action by them and by the Black Action Network is an atrocity, an abomination, and it should not be allowed to stand.
ReplyDeletehi Aaron-
ReplyDeletethank you for this post. thank you for the courage. surf the blogosphere and the voices of other black men. most have acted as if nothing has happened. these are the same black men that were quiet with the Michelle Obama lynching remark as well.
it angers and saddens me that a large number of black men have chosen to not see themselves in black women. or other black men for that matter. hence the unmitigated carnage we are witnessing and working against.
despite what we think, based on our actions, the history of anything is a great indication of what can be expected of that thing. in the absence of a tearing down, gutting, deconstructing period; everything else is tantamount to adding sugar to rotten soup hoping it turns out well. black people have a really bad habit of doing this; to our utter and complete detriment.
study the history of the naacp. it was never intended to be a vehicle for the uplift of black people. Dubois' experiences should have made that abundantly clear. our collective refusal to learn from history makes us look like people traveling to an unknown, new destination. (freedom from oppression and persecution) though we are directionally challenged, we refuse to use a compass, or learn from those that went before us.
if i were a white supremacist i would laugh maniacally and see this as corroboration of my white supremacist beliefs. if i were evil and materially driven, i, too, would make money (a lot of it) from the stupidity of people that refuse to wake up and apply historical perspective and common sense. black pride does not nullify my common sense and wisdom; it won't be accepted as an excuse from others, either.
the white supremacist sociopathic personality (this country's founding fathers and subsequent ruling descendents) have studied our behavior. they know we require black visibility/presence, as most of us have a strong lack of trust for white skin. hence the participation of Africans in the slave trade. whites have never been able to oppress us without the help of other black people. our continued coddling and efforts to love race traitors belies our refusal to do what works and what will afford us the victory.
sharpton and those like him are new age slave catchers/traders. i am working on a new piece that i hope will afford those that can't seem to get it clarity.
it is for this reason we must cease and desist immediately with the issuing of "black passes" and excuses for subhuman, substandard behavior. it is to our collective detriment to continue to carry such liabilities.
as you have said, it is about black on black collective accountability and responsibility. i stand in agreement.
i have added you to my blog roll. i believe firmly that one becomes the company they keep. i am a person of action and accountability. we don't have to agree on everything. however, we can't disagree on something as fundamental as this issue:-)
blessings to you!
focusedpurpose
@FocusedPurpose
ReplyDeleteThank you for the encouragement and I appreciate it, but in all honesty, I'm simply behaving like a human here. I am not a perfect man, but I have a moral compass. I understand right and wrong. What the NAACP and NAN are doing is morally indefensible. There is no moral element to it. It should be denounced, it should be rectified and black people should insure that it happens. To do nothing is to consent to continued slouching toward Gomorrah and an acceptance of hell in our communities and in our homes. This action is an abomination, an atrocity. It must not be allowed to stand. If the NAACP and NAN must be ripped apart and rebuilt anew to accomplish that, so be it.
Aaron & Alaine, I do agree with you. So this was my disappoint with NAACP and NAN. I feel Black people should stand up for injustice of any kind, but these two groups do not. I actually heard Sharpton (I will not give him the honor of Rev.) talk about bail for these beings. In case I came off against what you wrote, that was not my purpose. I am whole heartedly in agreement with you. The defense of this woman should be the course, these young beings that committed these inhuman acts will get the legal defense they deserve, a PD.
ReplyDelete@Ensayn,
ReplyDeleteI didn't take your comment as opposition to my views, but even if you were disagreeing with me, that would be fine. I don't require that people think like me. I'm completely open to dissenting viewpoints if people have them. Who wants to blog to the choir? I prefer reasoned dissent. Crazy stupid dissent will get jumped on crazy stupid. But an honest difference of opinion is always welcome on this blog. I like debate and discussion. Its what I blog for in the first place. Agree with me if we're on the same page, but please, please, if you don't agree with me, say so and tell me why so we can talk about it, maybe learn something, maybe find some common ground (maybe not), but thats what I blog for.
Brother Aaron,
ReplyDeleteI had the opportunity to catch some the repartee you experienced in the Blogosphere….particularly in the female arena. I’m proud to see that you were able to take the critique and criticism and channel that knowledge and understanding into a greater understanding for healing our Black community. We as Black men need to stand up and protect our women and children… by any means necessary!
Rev. al “TOM” sharpton needs to be corrected by black men…forcibly and publicly. We need to utilize the same fervor and commitment that Europeans who move this country around with intentionality utilize. It takes something to go against the grain of false brotherhood we have been taught since our inception. We need to stand up for any injustice against our women and children… regardless of the offender. If we are going to make a difference as black men…we need to “BE” the difference.
I commend you my fellow soldier. Let’s get all of the soldiers on the same page…and take what is rightfully ours!
B4B