2008 Woodie Awards
NAACP leader continues fight for equality
by Lauren DeZinno
Issue date: 3/16/07 Section: Online
The history of the Civil Rights Movement and issues facing today's American minority population were discussed by Julian Bond, chairman of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and one of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s former students.
University students, faculty and civil rights supporters gathered at Trabant University Center Wednesday to listen to the Morehouse College graduate who has been a civil rights activist for more than 50 years and has served on boards of several civil rights organizations.
"I believe in an integrated America," Bond said.
Senior Kamilyah Cooper, a member of the Cultural Programming Advisory Board, said CPAB decided to bring Bond to the university as part of its semi-annual lecture series. Past speakers have also included Sister Souljah, Russell Simmons and Roland Fryer.
"I don't think our generation realizes what an important figure Bond is," Cooper said. "But I think in hearing him speak, we realize how important the movement is."
Rising to their feet for several standing ovations, the crowd, which consisted of many older members of the Newark community, appeared to recognize the importance of Bond's message.
"Those who say race is America are wrong," Bond said. "America is race."
After briefly discussing major events in the history of the Civil Rights Movement, he said the nine students in Little Rock, Ark., inspired him to "set aside his fear" and take action.
"We ought to remember this was a people's movement," Bond said. "It saw evil and it brought it down."
His grandfather was a slave who was freed at the end of the Civil War, he said.
"That history is far from ancient," Bond said. "My father is the only thing that stands between Julian Bond and human bondage."
He said the biggest challenge he faces as the head of the NAACP is convincing Americans the work of the association is important.
"Many Americans believe white supremacy has vanished," Bond said. "At the NAACP we know this is not true."
University students, faculty and civil rights supporters gathered at Trabant University Center Wednesday to listen to the Morehouse College graduate who has been a civil rights activist for more than 50 years and has served on boards of several civil rights organizations.
"I believe in an integrated America," Bond said.
Senior Kamilyah Cooper, a member of the Cultural Programming Advisory Board, said CPAB decided to bring Bond to the university as part of its semi-annual lecture series. Past speakers have also included Sister Souljah, Russell Simmons and Roland Fryer.
"I don't think our generation realizes what an important figure Bond is," Cooper said. "But I think in hearing him speak, we realize how important the movement is."
Rising to their feet for several standing ovations, the crowd, which consisted of many older members of the Newark community, appeared to recognize the importance of Bond's message.
"Those who say race is America are wrong," Bond said. "America is race."
After briefly discussing major events in the history of the Civil Rights Movement, he said the nine students in Little Rock, Ark., inspired him to "set aside his fear" and take action.
"We ought to remember this was a people's movement," Bond said. "It saw evil and it brought it down."
His grandfather was a slave who was freed at the end of the Civil War, he said.
"That history is far from ancient," Bond said. "My father is the only thing that stands between Julian Bond and human bondage."
He said the biggest challenge he faces as the head of the NAACP is convincing Americans the work of the association is important.
"Many Americans believe white supremacy has vanished," Bond said. "At the NAACP we know this is not true."
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greg harper
posted 3/16/07 @ 2:17 PM EST
The NAACP is a great organization. Notwithstanding, I was disappointed to see the CEO leave. All I can say is when I was a member I did not receive the publication until I complained and then received a couple of back issues. (Continued…)
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