What’s up with the Columbus NAACP?
By Ronda Watson Barber
OhioMBE publisher
Does the 15th largest city in the country have a branch of the oldest civil right organization in the world?
Many purchased memberships in an effort to vote in the November 2014 elections because of turmoil with the current leadership. Many in the Columbus community were not happy with how the branch was being operated. The long-time former president was suspended by the national office for misconduct. Members didn’t received notification of meetings, although email is free. They never corresponded with membership with the exception of promoting the candidacy of the former president’s ally.
Monthly meetings were a hot mess. Committee reports were never given. A personal agenda against unions were discussed relentlessly. There were few talks on the real issues in Columbus: poverty, the mis-education of our kids in the public school system and youth gun violence. Folks weren’t allowed to speak or voice their opinions. Those that did speak were met with rudeness and sarcasms. Heck, the police were called to one meeting.
What a mess. In the end, there was no election. A sign was posted indicating that the elections were suspended. Members have received no correspondence from the local, state or national offices on the status of the elections. What has happened to the membership fees that were paid? Some who paid for memberships never received their membership cards although their checks were cashed. Ironically the national NAACP is a starch proponent of fair elections.
So what’s up. Numerous calls and emails to the NAACP national office have gone unreturned.
The NAACP historically has been a beacon on hope for the Black community. Sadly, in Central Ohio the light has been dimmed.
Just my thoughts…rwb
