 |
Campaign photo for Taylor and Eke posted to Plainfield NAACP's Facebook page (since removed). |
One has only to recall that Booker v. Board of Ed, the case of Plainfield's own Charles Booker, was argued before the NJ Supreme Court in 1965, resulting in the end of the system of segregation by 'neighborhood schools' (you can read the ruling here).
It was a shining moment for Plainfield's chapter of the NAACP. It was above partisan politics, and united white and black and people of all political persuasions in a common cause.
How different today, to find the local chapter in a sort of Babylonian captivity to the whims of a former mayor who uses the group's Facebook page to post photos in support of one Democratic faction (Jerry Green's) in the current Democratic primary contest.
The large photo represents a screen capture of the Plainfield chapter's Facebook page on Friday, May 16 -- showing pictures of Green's candidates and urging readers to vote for them.
By Saturday, the photos had disappeared, perhaps because some local chapter members complained to the state NAACP. But it was too late, the damage to the local group's reputation has been done.
For what good purpose?
 |
Plainfield was part of national struggle for school desegregation. |
Posts
3 comments:
I believe Mr. Booker is supporting column "E"
At first glance the fact that Briggs et al uses the local NAACP chapter to promote a particular slate of candidates seems neither more nor less disingenuous than every other political and corporate operative who horns in on all manner of public and private functions and organizations for their own gain.
But I agree that what seems to make this uniquely egregious is that the NAACP is not your kids' brand of political organization, it's your grandparents', and with them it's prized as a protective organization. That's what makes this especially creepy: it preys on seniors who may not have as broad a window on the outside world as in the past who look to the NAACP as a trusted advisor and protector. To shortchange those who attended the "forum" by showcasing only half the candidates is a betrayal of trust. It needs to be punished at the polls.
Excerpted from Article 2d (Political Action) of the NAACP bylaws-
"All political action shall be non-partisan and shall not endorse candidates for public office."
Post a Comment