The Passion and the Struggle : * NAACP Convention Shows Keen Awareness of the Problem

The National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People concluded its 81st annual convention in Los Angeles last week with a pledge to continue the long march for equity for all Americans, and to keep an eye on this year’s prize, passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1990.

While NAACP leaders championed the traditional battles against racism and discrimination, Benjamin Hooks, the executive director, also called on successful African-Americans to put aside their alibis and do more to help the growing number of poor black people.

A workshop on “the endangered black male” was telling. One out of four black men between the ages of 20 and 29 is in prison or jail, on probation or on parole. They are disproportionately unemployed or murdered. More young black men are in trouble than in college.

To address that crisis, the NAACP called for a summit next month in Washington to concentrate on how black Americans can do more to help themselves--but without letting government off the hook. For his part, Jesse Jackson called on President Bush to convene a domestic summit with top civil rights leaders “to discuss an urban development plan and a rural renaissance.”

Summit or no summit, speaker after speaker demanded that President Bush abandon his threat to veto major civil rights legislation that would restore federal protections against job discrimination which have been weakened by recent high court decisions.

The NAACP remains resolute in its fight against discrimination. Because Hooks made an impassioned plea on behalf of Latinos who face job discrimination, the delegates called on Congress to repeal sanctions against employers who knowingly hire undocumented workers.

The convention showcased old warriors as well as new victors, like Virginia’s Gov. Doug Wilder. And the convention drew nearly 3,000 young participants--the very black Americans who must continue the struggle.