NAACP Still Plays An Important Role

These days, it is fashionable to bash so-called special interest groups. As a recovering conservative, I once trashed special interest groups.

Conservatives live in some utopian world where everyone has an equal shot at anything they want and there is no real need for what many people term as "special interest groups." Many of these same conservatives believe that because President Obama won election as president of the United States, as a black man, that racism was instantly eradicated and parades symbolic of unquestioned equality ensued. Because of this misguided belief, organizations like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Congressional Black Caucus are becoming increasingly relevant (rather than less so).

The NAACP, the nation's oldest and most respected civil rights organization, remains highly relevant and important. Many of us are smart enough to know that President Obama's election was not some panacea for racial turmoil, it was not the end of racism it did not destroy all barriers that make success more difficult for people of color than for those who are white.

I was amused listening to people like right wingers Mike Huckabee and Tucker Carlson, talking on diversity-challenged Fox News recently and essentially suggesting that the barriers to racial equality mostly are gone.

That is part of why I was heartened to read that Michelle Obama, the first lady, will be at this year's 101st NAACP Annual Convention this month.

Here is a portion of the press release:

First Lady Michelle Obama will address the NAACP's 101st Annual Convention on Monday, July 12, 2010 to discuss steps to combat childhood obesity and her efforts to create a healthier generation of kids through the Let's Move! campaign.

"It is my honor to welcome First Lady Michelle Obama to our annual convention to discuss her views on ways to tackle an epidemic that is plaguing our nation's young people," said NAACP Chairman Roslyn M. Brock. "She is a commanding figure who will ensure that this issue is at the forefront of our nation's health agenda."

"We are elated to have First Lady Michelle Obama joining us to celebrate our 101st year," said NAACP President Benjamin Todd Jealous. "Providing affordable health care coverage and ensuring the well-being of all Americans is a priority for both the NAACP and the Obama Administration. Michelle Obama's visionary leadership in confronting the problem of child hood obesity is to be applauded. At our convention, we will unveil health care and advocacy solutions to help solve the critical health problems that are plaguing our communities," said Jealous. "The First Lady's contributions to that important discussion will be invaluable in realizing our vision of an America that ensures that all people have the tools needed to live a healthy life."

Obviously, it would have been nice to have the president there, but it apparently was not possible this year.

I applaud the NAACP for continuing to push ahead even in an era where groups that fight hate and inequality are hated on almost as much or more than the hate that they fight against.