Saturday, 20 April 2019

National NAACP Organization And NAACP Washington PA

By Jeffrey Murphy


In 1909, a bi-racial endeavor was formed to advance justice for African Americans. For, it was during this time that a group of forward thinking people began organizing what is now known as the National Association For The Advancement Of Colored People, an organization which now host a National Headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland with branches all over the country, including the NAACP washington pa branch.

The primary mission of the association is to assure that all individuals, regardless of race, have the same economic, social, educational and political equality and rights as others. Whereas, it is hoped that focusing on this mission, race-based discrimination can be eliminated in its entirety. On a National scale, the organization participates in litigation strategies, publicity and political lobbying.

During the 20th century, the association expanded in an effort to consider police misconduct, black foreign refugee status and economic development. In doing so, the NAACP kept the original title in order to keep up with tradition. In addition, by including the term, colored people, the association continues to refer to anyone with African heritage and ancestry. As such, the association continues the practices and principles of the founders.

The association has six individual departments including the department of environmental health and justice, criminal justice, economic opportunity, education and federal advocacy. While all are part of the larger organization, each department provides a specific need to those in the community. As such, each individual can contact the department which focuses on a particular need and obtain focused attention by a professional working in that area.

The NAACP has not forgotten the African American youth of America. For, the association provides a competition over the course of a year in which youth can compete in a number of different categories. Styled after the Olympic games and known as ACT-SO, the purpose is to encourage, inspire, stimulate and motivate high school students of African American descent through different types of competition.

The competition includes 32 divisions in culinary arts, visual, performing, business, humanities and science, technology, engineering and math or STEM. To date, more than 300,000 youth have been a part of the program since it began. The purpose of ACT-SO continues to be to reward, recognize and prepare youth of African descent who display artistic and academic excellence.

In addition to ACT-SO, while primarily focused on civil rights, the NAACP provides annual awards to African Americans in two different categories. These include, achievement in arts and entertainment and a Spingarn Medal which is awarded for outstanding achievement of any kind. As such, any African American of any age or gender can submit an achievement or list of achievements to the association in hopes of winning a medal.

Currently, the association is focused on several recent events including church burnings in the South and racists comments within the U. S. Government, including the President. In addition, the strong presence of White Supremacy which has returned since the 2016 election, while a tough challenge, is one which the association believes needs to be met head on. Even with these current issues, the association hopes that through a great deal of effort, organizing, planning, political lobbying and protests, equality for all people will some day come to pass.




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