NAACP is also clarifying its focus after 100years

(NNPA) - In a grand centennial meeting that drew thousands to New York City - the founding place of the NAACP - last week, President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous proclaimed that the next move of the civil rights organization against new "layers of racism" will be to strengthen its inner ranks by becoming a majority through coalitions. "We will change. Not for the sake of change itself, but for the sake of growth," Jealous said in prepared remarks to be rendered at the convention. "We must be able to march forth as a majority and that means we have to be about organizing coalitions, maximizing our power to build bridges of understanding and mobilizing our entire rainbow of champions for social change."

"But we can't do this work alone. So today, we issue a new call for a new century,'' he said.

That call comes in what is historically among the most exciting years for African Americans. Jealous reflected on the election of President Barack Obama as the nation's first Black president, but also underscored how his election spotlights the vestiges of racism that still prevail.

"January 20, 2009, was a day when hopes were fulfilled, when dreams came true, when ancestors sacrifices were remembered with tears of joy, in short, it was a day when the dream of this country seemed within reach of every family," said Jealous, 36, historically the youngest president to lead the civil rights organization.

"And then January 21st came, like every day thereafter, and families woke up to a new morning and were facing the same questions: Why can't Dad find a job? Why does Mom have to work so many jobs just to make ends meet? . Why are so many of our children... and mothers... and fathers dying of AIDS?"

President Obama also spoke during the convening, setting at tone of great anticipation for the organization's annual Spingarn Awards Dinner. Veteran Civil Rights Leader; NAACP Chairman Julian Bond was the Spingarn recipient this year.

It was February 12, 1909, the 100th year after the birthday of Abraham Lincoln, that a racially diverse coalition met in an apartment in lower Manhattan "to issue an historic call to action," Jealous recounted the founding of the NAACP.

Jealous described, "They were Black and White, Christian and Jew, men and women. They shared a commitment to fulfilling the promise of equality that was guaranteed by the Emancipation Proclamation, the 13th amendment, 14th amendment and the 15th amendment of the Constitution."

Now, the organization consists of about a half million members across the nation and millions more who benefit from the NAACP's battles.

Despite those evils that remain, Jealous cited several battles that are close to being won.

"Before we meet again, we will deliver the first woman of color to a seat on the Supreme Court. We will pass major reforms in states like California and North Carolina. We will outlaw racial profiling everywhere. And in Savannah, Georgia, where our local volunteers and national staff have delivered more than 65,000 signatures calling for the DA to reopen the case, the tide is turning every day - we will save Troy Davis' life and get the real killer off the streets."

The death penalty case of Troy Davis -involving a list of witnesses who have recanted their original testimonies against him - has been hard-fought by the NAACP under Jealous' tenure. It appears to be making headway as the U. S. Supreme Court recently put off until September a decision on whether to grant Davis a new trial.

Because of the new layers that are increasingly obscure, yet just as damaging to America's progress, the NAACP is also clarifying its focus, Jealous said. He encouraged the audience to broaden its vision as well.

"Dream big and work with us to get smart on crime ... to end racial profiling, and the draconian drug laws and unequal sentencing. Dream big. . Stand with us for the confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor . insist with us that the schools in our neighborhoods and the teachers who serve our children are the best in the world. Dream big, and expel the army of predatory lenders who have invaded our communities. Dream big, and be a better parent, a better father, a better student, a better citizen.