The NAACP and Black Republican Stereotypes

This must be one of the low moments of Rev. Barber’s career in civil rights. Prior to this Rev. Barber has seemingly done a great job organizing the NAACP and growing its operations on the ground. However, this statement was a punitive and stunning rebuke from a leader that came off more so as a loose cannon than the seasoned NAACPer that he appears to have been. Rev. Barber’s lack of judgment, in my opinion, was unbecoming of a well-trained and prepared NAACP State Conference President. He seems to have temporarily lost his composure and misplaced the temperament required to lead a civil rights organization in a state once heralded as one of the model state conferences in the country for the NAACP.

The late great Kelly M. Alexander, Sr. set the bar for strong, bold and astute leadership during his tenure as President in North Carolina. So much so, that he went on to become Chairman of the NAACP’s National Board of Directors and made North Carolina proud. Rev. Barber currently serves on the NAACP’s National Board, but his most recent statement about Senator Scott is uncharacteristic of a politically astute NAACP leader that first, recognizes the political context of his service and the need to build relationships that may one day serve the needs of the Association’s members. Rev. Barber  just made Hillary Shelton’s job at the NAACP Washington Bureau on Capitol Hill a little more complicated. I guess the Reverend did not consider the political capital lost if the GOP wins the Senate in November and Senator Scott becomes Chairman of an important committee.

Local NAACP branches could always use more help from their State Conference President with fundraising, processing cases, and recruiting young members. Instead Rev. Barber just got caught up in the moment and attacked the only Black United States Senator in the South. Well, so much for the “Advancement of Colored People.”   I don’t know the good Reverend Doctor, but I am doing my best to give him a pass for his lapse in  judgment. After all, it is  Black History Month. I love the NAACP of old, but we must do better than this.  I guess he will not be inviting Senator Scott to his church for communion anytime soon. Lord have mercy….