NAACP Holds 89th Convention In Atlanta

Jet, August 3, 1998

With a focus securely set on addressing the main problems in the Black community, the NAACP held a triumphant 89th convention in Atlanta at the Georgia World Congress Center in which more than 3,000 delegates attended.

Among the highlights of the convention were addresses from NAACP President Kweisi Mfume, Board Chairman Julian Bond, U.S. Vice President Al Gore, Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman and Ret. Gen. Colin Powell, in addition to the presentation of the Spingarn Award, the NAACP's highest honor, to Myrlie Evers-Williams.

With the theme "Preparing Tomorrow's Leaders Today," Mfume and Bond noted that at the forefront of the organization's priorities is affirmative action.

"Affirmative action really isn't about preferential treatment for Blacks," Bond said. "It is about removing preferential treatment Whites have received through history."

Mfume dismissed as "house Negroes" Blacks who head efforts to dismantle affirmative action.

He targeted the Supreme Court for its record in hiring minority clerks. Of the 397 clerks working for the justices, only seven are Black.

"The Supreme Court finds themselves as hypocrites when they talk of diversity," he said. "They make decisions on affirmative action, what people can and cannot do in this society. But they just pontificate."

Mfume also scolded the federal government for what he described as neglect in battling the high rate of AIDS in the Black community.

"It's a national emergency," Mfume said. "Yet, there's no great clamor ... If this was happening in any other community, it would be cause for a national emergency."

Vice President Al Gore brought the delegation to its feet proclaiming, "America needs the NAACP more than ever. You are the vanguard of our most critical battles."

Gore praised the Clinton administration's record on the economy, but he said there is still wide disparity in Black and White wealth, education and health care.

Black farmers and their battle with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) was also discussed at the convention. Two class-action suits by more than 500 Black farmers have been filed against the USDA since February 1997.

John Boyd, president of the National Association of Black Farmers, and Agriculture Secretary Glickman participated in a panel discussion on the plight of Black farmers in the U.S.

Glickman pledged to help save America's "rich heritage" of Black farming. "I will do my best to prevent the exodus of minority farmers," he declared.

He also said the USDA will compensate farmers who can prove they were discriminated against.

Colin Powell challenged the NAACP to focus more efforts on creating opportunities and resources for young people during his address.

"It makes no difference if we win court battles, put in place affirmative action programs of all kinds if we bring up a generation of youngsters who do not take advantage of them," he said. "We must get back to the business of raising up and building up our children," added Powell, who heads America's Promise, "or we can just start building more jails."

In closing the convention, Mfume and Bond stated they were pleased with the convention and the direction the NAACP is headed.