2A
NEWS/ The Charlotte Post
July 11, 1996
J
Young members pledge to make impact
Continued from page 1A
Evers-Williams, and the future.
This after a 1995 convention
that saw youth almost resort to
protest to gain a voice in run
ning of the organization.
“Last year we were angry,”
said national board of directors
member, Robert Franklin.
“There was no one in there, in
the national office to lead us.
We know certain things had to
be done, but it really hurt us.”
After Bryant’s speech, which
called for a youth
“Independence Day,” some
youth were cautiously opti
mistic.
Many of the estimated 600
youth attending the conference
agree that a change must he
made, that the future of the
organization is at stake. But
they are also realistic, knowing
Rome wasn't built in a day, and
neither can the NAACP be res
urrected after one convention.
Clarence Small, 31, of Salinas,
Calif,, among the youngest
•NAACP branch presidents
agrees with Bryant and Mfume.
“I admire Brother Bryant It
takes a lot to fill that position,”
said Small. "One of the goals
should be to rejuvenate the
youth. Our youth were lacking
direction. We need to fight for
what is right."
Youth delegate Alia
Muharrunad said, “All of us are
optimistic. President Mfume,
Rev. Bryant and Chair Evers
will be true to their word.” .
■“But they cannot do it alone,
there are some on the board
who do not want change,” said
Muhammad, 23.
“It takes nine months to make
a baby, so to turn an organiza
tion around to make it good, we
have to take our time," she
added.
“I always wanted to join the
NAACP,” said Muhammad, who
joined in 1989 while a student
at Bowie State University in
PHOTO/SUE ANN JOHNSON
Now was not the time or place.”
Muhammad agreed. “These
things are better solved behind
closed doors. They should be
done at board meetings. If we
don't stop the infighting and
backbiting we as black people
will be in trouble."
The youth are bothered by the
negatives, but still believe that
the NAACP is the “place to be.”
“I am bothered by the scan
dals" said Deizune Mosby, 16,
president of the West Virginia
youth chapter. “It makes us look
bad, but we have to overlook the
negative and continue to strug
gle against the negative conno
tations."
“Rather than complain, we
need to join,” added Mosby.
“You bring about, what you
think about,” said Muhammad.
"Right now Rev. Biyant is the
only one at the national office
for us. He does everything. The
National Youth Works Council
needs to step up efforts in each
region to come up with things for
youth to do.”
“President Mfume is an out
sider,” said Biyant. “He brings
fresh ideas. He sees the organi
zation as a politician. He defi
nitely understands the way con
gress ticks. We are changing.”
Maria Bordenave, 14, of Columbia, Md. and Isaiah Wilson, 9, of
Stafford, Va., were among the young people gathered for the
NAACP national convention. Activists within the organization
say the NAACP’s future depends on recruiting young members.
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Maryland. “I really admired
Thurgood Marshall.”
Bryant said her college chap
ter was.successful because they
actively sought the aid of the
adult chapter. Many youth felt
left alone after joining the
NAACP. Local branches often
ignored the role college chapters
play both financially and philo
sophically.
“The new mentoring program
should really help out,” said
Muhammad. “This way young
chapters will benefit from the
wisdom and experience of older
chapters...Create a good dia
logue.”
The mentorship program, the
brain child of Bryant and
Mfume, would bring together
young adult and youth chapters
in an effort to show support and
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work on important issues such
as voting rights and political
and social awareness.
The youth also expressed their
displeasure over the actions of
local NAACP leaders at the con
vention, particularly the call for
the reinstatement of Charlotte's
beleagured Kelly Alexander Jr.
and the protest by membesr of
the midwestern delgation dur
ing opening remarks by Evers-
Williams.
“1 totally disagree with it," said
Small. “There are channels that
you use internally. If that does
n't work then you debate it.
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City looking to fill
committee vacancies
FROM STAFF REPORTS
The city of Charlotte is looking for people to serve on several
boards.
Positions are available on the following committees: parade per
mit, parole accountability; and taxicab review.
• The Parade Permit Committee has one unexpired term open
ing that will be filled immediately. The term ends in January
1998. Members approve applications for parades; insure safety of
participants, pedestrians, vehicular traffic and safe movement of
emergency vehicles.
• The Parole Accountability Committee also has an immediate
opening for an unexpired term that ends in 1998. Members work
to oppose the parole of offenders in violent crimes, cases where
the defendant committed the crime while on parole or cases
where the offender has an extensive criminal record.
• The Taxicab Review Board has an appointment to fill a term
that expires in September 1997. The successful applicant will
represent the operating permit holder classification. The commit
tee is responsible for hearing appeals from denials, revocations or
suspensions of operating permits or driver’s permits.
Applications can be obtained at the Government Center, 600 E.
Fourth St. Nominations will be made July 20
To qualitied buyers, only on homes oflere^ with FHA-msured tinancmg. Actual down payment and monthly mort|age paymen;^ will vary based on home and terms Closing costs and fees additional.