First of all, I am white, Caucasian, whatever you want to call it; I am also American. I don’t claim that I am British-American, Irish-American, or Italian-American, or any other country represented in my lineage. I am American just like every African-AMERICAN, Spanish-AMERICAN, or whatever-AMERICAN.

Now, that being said…

This past Saturday, July 9th, marked the beginning of the annual convention for the NAACP, and delegates are harping about a perceived regression in the rights that people of color have obtained through years of civil rights activism. Regression!? What regression? What opportunities are presented to people “without color,” that are not presented to people of color? Here are few statistics. According to the 2002 Census, similar percentages of black men and white men (non-Hispanic) were employed in technical, sales, and administrative support jobs. Over 52% of black families had incomes over $52,000.00, and only one-quarter (25%) of the poverty population in 2001 was black.*

Why doesn’t the NAACP change its name and be truthful about its agenda- nothing more than a propaganda machine for the liberal left designed to hinder blacks from achieving those things available to every American. When conservative blacks speak out against the NAACP and talk about personal achievement, they are lambasted by the media and other groups. We all remember Clarence Thomas and his confirmation hearings during the early 90s. What about the comments made about Colin Powell when he was chosen as Secretary of State? The black community called him a puppet and a sellout. Or how about Bill Cosby? The NAACP went berserk when the comedian made comments about the black lifestyle. Or better yet is Janice Rogers Brown, a newly appointed DC appellate court judge, who was born and raised in the Jim Crow days of the south. As a single mother, she paid her own way through college and law school and became a justice on the California Supreme Court. Ms. Brown is a black female conservative, and she was dramatically protested and maligned by the NAACP. (NAACP:)

The NAACP continually pushes the issues of reparations, affirmative action, and how blacks deserve more. Yes, America screwed up, no person should be owned by another, but I am pretty sure that there aren’t any blacks alive today that were owned by another person. What good would reparations do, other than create a deeper racial divide and more bitterness by making all Americans pay today for something that was outlawed 140 years ago? As for affirmative action, how can any American, regardless of color, fill satisfied about being selected for a job or admitted to a law school based on color instead of ability?

If the NAACP wants respect from people like me, they should be honest about who they are. If they represent all colored people, why do they ridicule people like Lynn Swann and Don King, just because they support George Bush? Or they should stop pushing an agenda that suggests blacks are owed something because of their color, and start pushing ideas like education, hard work, and family values. They should quit ridiculous campaigns like those against the National Hurricane Service because of a lack of black names, and start campaigns against gangster rappers and others who spew disrespect and distrust. And they should focus on the teachings of Dr. King, equality! Equality for ALL!

*The Black Population in the United States: US Census Bureau, March 2002