Sampson-Duplin NAACP Branches: Educate, Organize and Mobilize

There are noticeable signs of desperation in the air.  A crisis in Black education, environmental racism, repeal of the Affordable Care Act, voter suppression, police brutality, lack of diversity in Hollywood and the list goes on.  These are some of the perplexing issues being discussed at NAACP branches in North Carolina and across America.  These are some of the topics discussed at the Sampson County Branch of the NAACP and the Duplin County Branch of the NAACP.

Although answers to historical questions of equality for Black people in America continue to be elusive, determined groups of community leaders regularly gather to discuss these questions and search for answers.  Memberships are mostly older Black people with lifelong experiences with racial inequality and exploitation.  Many members of the NAACP are present or retired educators and are horrified by the plight of Black students in public schools.

The 2016-17 theme of the NAACP is “a crisis in Black education.”  This topic was under full consideration at a Black History Month forum held by the Sampson County branch of the NAACP.  Panelists and members of the audience alike spoke of dire predictions in both the near and distant future if Black students do not perform better in a wide range of student related activities.

The panelist included four Black professionals with substantial histories in public education in general and with Black students more particularly.  The forum allowed the panelists to share their experiences in public schools and make suggestions to improve the performance of Black students.  There was obvious anxiety in the audience that also weighed in with their observation, experiences and unfortunately, dire productions.

The Duplin Branch of the NAACP addressed the crisis in Black education that is characterized by re-segregation, unequal allocation of resources based on race, and a lawsuit against the Duplin County Board of Education, grounded in these concerns.   There were reports on discrimination in economic opportunities and environmental racism:

Environmental racism is a major issue in Duplin County because of the environmental pollution caused by large scale hog and poultry operations.  There is real fear of the adverse health consequences caused by air pollution.

Sampson and Duplin branches, as other active branches, have a wide range of standing committees that are designed to provide focused leadership to the wide range of issues that are present in most Black communities.  What is needed is community/individual recognition of the need to join and support the various important activities that the NAACP addresses on a daily basis.

Every year, each local NC branch conducts a Mother of the Year contest as a fundraising activity to support the financial needs of the local, state and national branches.  Last years’ winner was McKale Barfield-Best of the Duplin branch.  By winning the 2016 contest she also won an all-expense paid trip to the 2017 48th NAACP Image Awards in Hollywood.  Of course, there is no other organization that has confronted the misuse of media to influence negative public attitudes toward race like the NAACP. As early as 1915, it organized a nationwide protest against the negative portrayals of African Americans in “Birth of a Nation.” The founding members of the NAACP immediately understood the power and influence of the then new media of film.

The record is clear.  Fundamental interests of Black people are under relentless attacks and these attacks must be resisted like never before.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR.  The NAACP Duplin County Branch 5385 meets the 1st Sunday of each month except September when it meets the 2nd Sunday.  The next meeting is April 2nd, First Baptist Church of Teachey, 307 Log Cabin Rd., Teachey, NC 28464 @ 3:00 P.M.

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