It took someone from outside the black community — Plain Dealer columnist Mark Naymik — to jumpstart a conversation that we should have started ourselves long ago: What to do about the sorry state of affairs at the Cleveland chapter of the once venerated NAACP.
The local chapter of this 100+year-old organization is floundering badly, with no signs on the horizon of a plan to right itself. The infighting is rumored to almost be at the level of hand-to-hand combat and, while Naymik will no doubt be subjected to criticism for publishing his commentary, he actually was somewhat charitable since he left out some of the more damning details of dysfunction within the chapter.
The question of the organization’s ongoing relevancy has to be called into question since virtually all of the civil rights and social justice battles that formerly were under its purview are being engaged in — fought and won — in spite of it being increasing marginalized. With the exception of the criminal justice committee, the Cleveland branch of the NAACP is an organization in name only.
The political infighting within the local NAACP is to the point that it obscures and eclipses its mission of advocating for justice for persons of color; winning and holding onto power at any cost is now the main objective of the leadership. The organization has been carried off the civil rights battlefield on its shield, dying of self-inflicted wounds.
General Douglas McArthur is credited (wrongly, I might add) with coining the phrase “Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.” Should that be the fate of the NAACP here in Cleveland? Should the organization simply be ignored — allowed to simply fade away, as it has been doing of its own accord for a number of years now?
I think not.
Even in its currently enfeebled state, the name “NAACP” has power and value because of its proud history and longevity; the only way to gain such power is to be around for over 100 years, fighting the good fight. Any new organization seeking to accumulate such clout would be starting from scratch, reinventing the wheel if you will. Politically, it makes more sense for young people to stage a coup and takeover the Cleveland chapter.
And by fortuitous happenstance there is a group of tech savvy young, mostly black, professionals in Cleveland that are currently looking for a meaningful mission — some way to use their education, dedication and youthful drive to improve our city. Personally, I can think of no other challenge as meaningful as taking over and revamping the local NAACP.
However, to do so would require they first become members, get to know the lay of the land and then approach the national office in Baltimore and offer up a concrete plan for improvement. At that juncture, the national leadership of the NAACP (probably long disgusted with the shortcomings of the current leadership) will assist these new young members stage a mutiny.
But the old-guard leadership should not be made to walk the plank; they should be allowed to matriculate to emeritus status if they so desire. In a gesture of thanks for their efforts — and to attempt to insure a peaceful transition — they should be allowed to step out of the way with their dignity intact. But that might just be wishful thinking on my part. There’s a better than even chance the current leadership will simply dig their heels in and refuse to budge — which would be a critical mistake But alas, that’s what these folks seem to be best at: making mistakes.
Those currently holding the reins of power at the NAACP are elderly men of the cloth, so they should be able to understand the quasi-biblical phrase, “He who wishes to wear the Crown must be able to bear the Cross.” While they are doing an excellent job of wearing the mantel of leadership, they are failing miserably when it comes to the tough work of holding up or advancing the mission of the organization.
The current leadership is fighting to maintain control of the organization for primarily two reasons: One, they simply love what they view as the prestige associated with the titles they possess (oblivious to the fact that everyone in town but them can see that the emperor is butt naked), and two, they most likely are afraid they will be made to look inept if new leadership comes in and takes the NAACP in a positive, constructive and effective direction.
Wanting to avoid being accused of “washing our dirty linen in public,” for years I’ve avoided writing about the local NAACP. I also admire the folks who are currently leading the organization and did not want to embarrass them. But that train has now left the station. They are embarrassing themselves far beyond my ability to do so. The dirty linen is now flapping in the breeze.
So, for the good of the race, I’m going to stay on topic; I’m going to keep writing and speaking about the disastrous situation at the NAACP until the current leadership steps aside, fully realizing the limits of my pen and voice. The fact is, they probably only listen to each other; bunker mentality having set in. Anyone offering criticism, no matter how constructive, will be viewed as “The Enemy.” I’m now willing to run that risk since it’s the lesser of the two evils. Doing nothing at this juncture would be more of a disservice to the black community.
I sincerely hope this situation can be resolved amicably, with as few hurt feelings and bruised egos as possible. But, niceties aside, changing the leadership of the NAACP simply must be accomplished, no matter the cost. The current leadership should take the advice of another general, George S. Patton, who allegedly said, “Either lead, follow or get out of the way.”
Those currently in power within the organization have amply proven they cannot lead; they probably are totally unwilling to follow; which leaves but the last option: Get the hell out of the way.
[Photo: jvalasimages]
From Cool Cleveland correspondent Mansfield B. Frazier mansfieldfATgmail.com. Frazier’s From Behind The Wall: Commentary on Crime, Punishment, Race and the Underclass by a Prison Inmate is available again in hardback. Snag your copy and have it signed by the author by visiting http://NeighborhoodSolutionsInc.com.
One Response to “MANSFIELD: What’s in a Name?”
M.B.CAppell-Bovee
REALLY, REALLY appreciate Mr. Frazier’s provocative cool & collected insights! Thank you – MB