Saturday, November 22, 2008
Are organizations like the Urban League and NAACP still relevant today?
Recently the Urban League of Champaign County was closed due to a loss of major federal funds that were pulled from the organization based on allegations of theft and misappropriation of their use. In recent years, organizations like the Urban League and NAACP have come under attack as being irrelevant in today's society because it appears that racism is not as prevelant as it once was and now that a black man has been elected to the presidency, organizations like the ones mentioned above continue to perpetuate the idea that race remains a factor of inequity in the U.S.. Should folks of the Hip Hop Generation begin assuming roles of leadership in these historic organizations or should they develop organizations with missions reflective of issues that impact American society today?
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I strongly believe programs of that nature are still relevant today. For the community is in a deep stage of oppression and needs guidance. These programs were created to pose an opportuntiy for the underpriveliged to gain some skills and knowledge to apply to the work place as well as everyday life. Losing the grants and support to keep prograns in the running hits home. The question is now where does one go when resources are taken out of placing? One must fight to get them back. But,this only works when the services have been utilized. Then again the program only remain when people take a hold of the experiences gained and do "some good in the 'hood"!!! If we do not press for our networks to stay near home...not any other soul will. See this has always been the plan to keep the people who possess a lower status than the elite at the bottom. It was just a matter of time before the plan was executed. There is still a need to learn a trade, write resumes, learn computer efficiency, character building workshops, finding jobs for ex-cons, and the list goes on. Implementing the programs are not the problem...keeping them active as long as there resides a need is where it is..
Due to the recent unfortunate events of the Urban League, as well as the NAACP, I do believe that it is my generations duty to take ahold of the fight that began with the Civil Rights Movement. Although, last class period showcased the need for those previous generations to teach my generation how to fight and allow us to adapt their tactics to our intelligence. History has showcased that racist antics have yet to cease, but have adapted into a form in which they are kept under wraps. Evidence of these misfortuens are the recent bailout cases of the auto industries in comparison to the one recently implemented for CitiGroup. Ultimately, our society requires that we stop being caught up in financial endeavors and increase our focus on what is right. In the end, corporations such as the Urban League and NAACP NEED to reach out to the next generation in order to keep their values and mission statements relevant during this century.
After years of oppression, segregation, and the fight for civil rights, one would think that people would stop being so damn ignorant. We still live in a world where blacks cannot shop or will not be served. Perfect example, a couple years back Ophra Winfrey was kicked out a store in Europe all because of the color of her skin. My question is: why in the hell would you turn the wealthiest black woman in America away? I remember a time when I was unsure of the roles organizations such as, the Urban league and NAACP played in society. I was also unaware that the Urban League colony in Champaign was recently shut down. It hurts because organizations such as this one still play a huge role in today’s society. The sole purpose of the Urban League is to educate African Americans on how to secure their economic self-reliance, equality, power and civil rights. True, we have some chocolate headed to the white house, which means we have some type of power, but can we withstand self-reliance, equality? Do we know what our civil rights mean? It takes organizations to bring this into the light. Everyone wants to have a sense of belonging and NAACP plays a great part in assuring this. This past election was one for the history books, but did we really vote for Obama for all the right reasons. I mean I know several people whom voted for him only because he was black, but do we know his principals, views, hell what college he went to?! NAACP thrives to educate African Americans in such areas. We need these organizations, their importance could not be expressed enough.
To answer your question Dr. Patterson the Urban League and NAACP are still relevant and very effective in society today. I think Hip-Hop and it's generation can have a great impact on these organization if they decide to get involved. Like you said, these organizations already exist and it will be easy for someone like Jay-Z, Nas or even Russell Simmons to get more involved and flipped it back into importance like you always preach to us. The Urban League closing in Champaign is a very big deal because where do people have to run to now? Racist and being black still play its relevance today in the world not just here. Having our first black president of the United States is only one barrier knocked down; but there are so many still left to go. Who is going to help these organizations when it comes down to fighting for what we believe in? In Chicago recently State Senator, Reverend James Meeks held a boycott to increase school funding for Chicago Public schools during Thanksgiving week, which organizations like the Urban League and the NAACP should be involved in. As black we need to stop being so ignorant and not caring about crucial society issues because they not only affect the people that are dealing with these issues they affect us all. In order for these organizations to stay important and get their messages across; reaching out to our generation is the key. Holding workshops and seminars to explain goals and spread the issues; the importance of these issues that will never die. No matter what happens in this world Black or White President, no matter what racist will always exist but it up to our generation to help slow it down and start a new process with the world leader which is our generation and the future leaders of today.
I believe that members of the Hip Hop Generation should begin assuming roles of leadership within these historical organizations because there are many issues of the African American community that these organizations can address. Though the NAACP and the Urban League were originally founded to deal with specific somewhat antiquated issues, that doesn't mean that these same organizations can't evolved to address the current needs of the community. It would be pointless to create brand new organizations, when there are already organizations available to our community that have experience and success at meeting the needs of the community. Evolution is essential to the continued growth and success of any organization and the previous mentioned organizations and members of the community must be open for change if these historical organization are to remain operational in our society.
I think that The NAACP and the Urban League are still relevant today. Until racism and discrimination stops, we will always need these organizations. The community needs them for resources and I also think that more young hip-hopers need to get involved in organizations like these ones to help relate better to the youngsters in the community. Just because president elect Barack Obama is going to become president doesn't mean all our problems will be solved. We need organizations to help ourselves do better. We need to help ourselves and I think more people need to get involved and understand how these organizations are here to help. Then can we understand how relevant they are to the community.
People say the organizations like the Urban League and NAACP are not necessary anymore, but racism and minority inequalities are still present all across America. People are living in areas of this country and not getting proper education, and then are being sent out into the world ready to fail. We need organizations like the Urban League to be present in these areas and to inform people on what they don't know and how they can fix it. It is not being pushed upon everyone to see how bad certain parts of this country really are, and the people in these parts aren't being assisted enough in bettering themselves. Even though we have a black face in the white house, the black nation is still in a state of emergency.
Organizations like the Urban League and NAACP should be widely supported. There are many influential resources, skills, knowledge, and power brought to the table by these organizations. The Urban League is set up to install lost hope in the lives of Black America. It contained many programs such as the education and youth programs, economic empowerment, civic engagement, and many more to enable African Americans to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power and civil rights on a regular every day basis. It served as a back bone for many shattered communities to turn to for answers and concerns. The world we live in today is not going to change over night. The economic down fall is still happening. Unemployment, debt, poverty, violence, prejudices, and oppression still remains an issue today. If we loose organizations like the Urban League as Champaign did, people will turn to the streets and violence will be too real. The NAACP is a historical organization that created justice for many African Americans today. They still fight for our equality and behalf. But it is not their duty to fight alone. We as a mass group of people need to support them as well. No one person or group can stand alone. And just because our president is black does not mean all black people will succeed. Most of us will never have the opportunity or chance to even step foot in Harvard Law School or the White House. We need to use the resources we have in front of us and support the organizations around us. We can't wait around for the next person or the future generation behind us to do it. It will be too late. The problem we have today as young adults is we live off of other people's dreams and hopes, instead of creating our own. We are all masterminds but are afraid to use our power and knowledge in a case like this. Our time to shine is now.
I believe it all depends. Sometimes I think some of these organizations only exist just to give some people a title, becuase the true manifestations of their work have yet to be scene. I do undersatnd that the Urban League actually had programs that assisted people with help such as heating their homes during the winter and cooling them in the summer, skill training and more. However, I really don't know what the NAACP does these days besides talk and look for the next photo opportunity and 5 second sound bite on CNN. I don't see it. I know that these organizations exist for a reason, but I really only see these people when something bad happens. I think people get used to mediocre work and don't desire to do anything bigger and better. We all know what the letters stand for in NAACP, but I can't name the last time I ever seen them out and about. How can you want to better black people, but you don't want to get out there in the streets and greet black people, reach out to them on their level. I don't mean to bash these organizations but I just don't see it. Show me the money?
It sounds like many of you believe that the organizations need to exist, but are disconnected from many of the problems people face today. How do you make them stronger, particularly from a Hip Hop perspective? What could the civil rights and black power generations learn from Hip Hop generations and vice versa?
Personally these type of organizations are still needed. I think the problem is that people do not understand how important these programs and organizations are to the development of our people especially our black community! These business's have closed down because of the lack of support and people not standing up for what they believe in. People today have become very lazy and content with where they are and they feel that these things are not needed or they just do not want to fight for it. I agree with Nino when he says that our generations needs to realize what we are missin without these organizations and we need to get back on target. These organizations need to be relevant and people need to get motivated!
It is no doubt in my mind that organizations like this are still needed, particularly for the social services they bring to black communities. Throughout history organizations such as the Urban League, and the NAACP helped blacks combat racial discrimination, poverty and many times put food on peoples table. Now, at a time when the world thinks that racism no longer exist because our president elect is black, program that have made a huge impact on the black community are seen as unnecessary. Thats exactly what neo conservatives what us to think. When we stop doing for ourselves and buy into this notion of "inclusiveness" and an "equal society" we allow individuals to take over the direction of our community. The hip hop generation could learn a sense of tradition and respect for the civil rights area, and a sense of hunger. I think that most of us are scared to really act on something like our ancestors did because we are afraid of the consequences.
These organizations are still prevalent today because they still seek to serve the community and its its people. Are these organizations helpful? Yes. Are they helping the community? No. I say no because personally I havent seen any progress within the communities here in Champaign. As a native of Champaign, growing up I never really heard anything about the NAACP or Urban League. It wasnt until about a couple of months ago that I learned what the inital purpose of the Urban League was. The NAACP I think is geared towards the adult crowd such as young adults and older people, but I think its disconnected from the community that is most important and that is the future generation, our youth. As a child I can't think of a time when I was actively involved in NAACP because I felt it wasn't available to the young black community. With the NAACP's The Crisis I think there should be a reading for the African American youth for them to read. The Urban League on the other hand, I believe should have been more actually conncected to Black youth being that its mission was to help the Black community. Our Black community will always need the these organizations because they have a rich history ingrained into Black history. To do away with it is wrong however I do feel that they should be more actively involved with the Black youth.
I feel like programs and organizations such as the Urban League are highly relevant today. And I also think that the hip hop generation needs to take a leadership stance in making sure that these things are sought through. Just becuase we have a black president definitely does not mean that racism still isn't bad or as bad. Organizations such as these are highly needed to continue to educate the black youth. It is amazing that there is something like the Urban League around to give special attention where it is needed. There will never be a time when NAACP won't be needed. As the hip hop youth, I feel that we have to continue to fight for the right of these organizations to show how important they are to us and to send the message that it isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
Organizations like the Urban League and the NAACP will continue to be relevant for as long as African-Americans remain the disenfranchised and oppressed people. These organizations give us somewhat of a sense of "home" as people, comparable to the Black House here on campus. We have to be able to stay connected with each other, and organizations like these provide us with that tool. It is unfortunate that our generation does not realize the true significance of these organizations. We almost seem to have the sense that we have "arrived" and that things are okay for us now. They are not, and we must fight everyday to keep progressing. The historical value of these organizations is tremendous, and for that reason alone we need to do our best to uphold their legacy. Some of our most crucial leaders were parts of these very organizations, and this is how they got the work done. The majority group wants to divide us. And each time we shut down an organization like the Urban League, we aid them in that process. We must remain united, and continue to maintain the same aggressiveness for justice that those before us had.
I feel like any organization whose goals are to better the black community is relevant today. The founding principles of these organizations fit a particular group of black people and was structured to accomodate them. Hip hop can be integrated into these organizations by allowing artists to be the face of these orgs. For instance, on U of I's campus when I think of the NAACP, I think of Deltas. It's not because they're using their letters in association to the NAACP, but they play an integral role in its existence on campus. On a broader spectrum, hip hop has already infused itself into wanting to make a difference. "Politics," "Vote or Die," "My President is Black," and many other messages are already out there. The black community is hurting. We need a rendition of "We Are the World" or something. Just because racism isn't as blunt or we're fighting for different causes doesn't mean that we have to fight separately. The Urban League and NAACP are outlets for like-minded people to come together and create that change we as a people so desperately need.
I believe that organizations like the Urban League are still relevant today. I know that the Urban League in this community served low income people and families for several years. The Urban League had programs that would help people find jobs, earn their high school diploma and give electric bill assistance just to name a few. All of these areas are problems and issues that affect urban communities: unemployment, lack of education, lack of money and resources, so this organizations and others are needed to help urban communities progress. It is sad that the Urban League has shut down because its services helped a lot of people, they even provided free tax services during tax season which is also good for people in urban communities because many can not afford to pay to get their taxes done. Urban League is greatky needed and hopefully it will retun to the area, because right now there is no organization around here that I can think of that served the urban community like the Urban League did.
I believe that these organizations are still relevant today because though they have made changes in the Black community. Their goals established way back in the early nineteen hundreds have still not been reached. So what if the new President Elect is Black? That means one out of many hundred thousands of Black people made it to the top. People who use him as an excuse fail to realize he worked his ass off to get where he is. He did not get through it without racism....please! If anything we should see from the extended amount of security he had to have and all hate mail he got during his campaign that racism is still here and not going anywhere. So that argument is complete BS and those who use it need to really open their eyes. The Urban League was founded to aid Blacks migrating to the North to adapt to the urban environment. The mission of the Urban League is to "enable African Americans to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power and civil rights". To say that this goal has been reached is totally far-fetched. There are still a very, very large number of Blacks on welfare and unemployed. Blacks are still in majority considered a low class/ low status race. Whites are still picked over Blacks in the job market, given loans sooner, etc. Blacks still lack power and are thrown in drug-infested ghettos to be ignored and given subpar education so that the cycle can continue and perpetuate itself. Obviously there is just as much need for the National Urban League as there was back in 1910. Blacks still need guidance and this organization provides us with a strong medium through which we can give it to each other. It is known nationally has hundreds of members and is hard to ignore. The NAACP was founded in 1909 as a response to the violence toward Blacks after being freed from slavery. Their mission is “to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination”. The Black community still suffers from inequality under the law. If you research the penitentiary system you will see that Black men especially suffer from lengthy and heavy sentences that are much more severe than white inmates who commit the same crimes. I have a cousin in jail serving a 20+ year sentence in Georgia for a murder. The prosecution had no evidence against him but because it was a Black male who committed the crime they took the first one they could easily get their hands on. Blacks have still as a majority not made it out of the hood and because of this they are getting crappy education compared to the majority white communities. Blacks are still being denied jobs probably because Blacks are getting crappy education and going to jail for life just because they fit the description of being Black. So once again the services of this nationally recognized organization are still needed and provide a positive medium for Blacks to keep working towards equality in this messed up country we call home.
The NAACP is still relevant today however I do not think that they are in the forefront in being proactive as they were in the past. It seems that they react more today. I know that their are still social injustices in 2009 that need to be addressed. Overall, I feel that most people have entered a relaxed state with current conditions. It takes a drastic event to occur before most people speak out including the NAACP. For example Hurricane Katrina and now Kiwane Carrington. Even the Urban League is in Champaign, IL. is closed. As a people we need to be proactive to push organizations such as the NAACP that have played major roles in past success' for Blacks. An organization that was mentioned publicly as a result of the murder of Kiwane Currington is the Champaign Community and Police (CCAP). If this organization is not serving the purpose for which it was created its charter needs to be revised and reinforced or the organization dissolved. It seems that the organization lacks effectiveness and Kiwane's death shows that. Thanks Dr. P for the discussion about this topic.
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