NAACP Voters Hope for End to Angry Conflict

A congregation of nearly 800 gathered at Hamilton United Methodist Church on Sunday, but the crowd was not there to pray. Their minds were on things of this world--the election of a president of the Los Angeles branch of the NAACP and what the new leader would do about job opportunities, fair housing and poor living conditions in the black community.

Officials said turnout for the balloting--results of which were incomplete late Sunday--was unusually high, because members were worried about how the organization would fare after a hostile campaign in which each candidate attacked the character of the other.

“I haven’t voted in these elections before,” said 71-year-old Lillian Ecung, who has been a member of the civil rights organization for more than 10 years. “But I read all the stories in the papers about (incumbent President Anthony Essex) and I thought it was important to get someone stronger in office who will rebuild the confidence of the people.”

Verbal Exchanges

During the campaign for presidency of the 63-year-old organization, Essex and challenger attorney Joseph Duff exchanged several brutal verbal blows.

Duff charged that Essex, a financial consultant by profession, had been fired from a job as a bank loan officer because he had made loans to himself, his mother and a friend.

Duff, who gained prominence through his work in the Los Angeles school desegregation case, also reminded members that Essex had been formally reprimanded by the national chapter of the NAACP for mishandling funds to pay for a $4,800 party and $310 briefcase. Essex was ordered to reimburse the money by Thursday.

In turn, Essex lashed out at Duff, saying his challenger did not deal with “items of substance, but chose to focus on my past.” Essex said he plans to sue Duff on charges of libel, slander and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

But the warring between the two candidates was not the only thing that brought voters to the church in South-Central Los Angeles from noon to 6 p.m.

A Personal Matter

Parrish Goodman of West Los Angeles, a Duff supporter, said he had a personal score to settle.

Last year, the electronic technician called the local NAACP office, seeking help in a labor dispute with his employer. His calls and letters went unanswered.

“I needed help and some kind of direction,” said Goodman.”No one ever called me back and I never forgot how they ignored me. That’s why I’m out here--because we need new leadership.”

Charles Green, an Essex supporter, disagreed.

“People may feel that the NAACP is putting too much emphasis on gangs, and not concentrating on traditional issues like housing or jobs, but the reason we have gangs is because those kids don’t have any entry-level jobs,” he said. “By getting rid of gangs, we are forced to deal with issues like jobs and living conditions.”

Political Factors

Norma King, secretary of the association, said she supports Duff because Essex was “only using the post as a stepping stone” to higher political posts. She said she would like to see a “career NAACPer” win the presidency

“What (Essex) doesn’t realize is that this job is not just a stop-and-go position,” said King. “We need someone who wants to stay around and really work for long-term changes. If you step on the back of the NAACP, you are stepping on all the black people across this country.”

The candidates, who were too busy electioneering to comment, greeted voters in front of the church, hugging old friends and shaking hands with those they did not know.

“This is just like the presidential campaign,” said attorney George Mallory, who ran unopposed for first vice president of the branch. “The candidates meet with people in churches and community meetings, and they also place themselves up to the same public scrutiny.”

However, most agreed it was time for the name-calling between the candidates to end.

“Despite what’s in the newspapers, the NAACP still has to function. The calls for help, the calls for information, the calls for confidence won’t stop,” said NAACP officer Jim (Mudcat) Grant, a former major league baseball pitcher. “They come in by the hundreds and they are going to keep on coming. We’re going to have to be there when they do.”