NAACP Hands Out Image Awards, Downplays Criticism

A day after the Beverly Hills/Hollywood chapter of the NAACP slammed a list of black sitcoms for airing buffoonish racial stereotypes, little trace of the flap surfaced at the NAACP’s annual Image Awards ceremony.

The local chapter Friday led three African American groups in attacking shows such as “Martin,” “Homeboys in Outer Space” and “The Wayans Bros.” for furthering negative images of blacks.

But most of the evening focused on celebrities, artists, athletes and achievers who glided down a red carpet beneath arcs of balloons into the Pasadena Civic Auditorium for the awards presented by the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People.

The awards feted performers and role models ranging from Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) to the artist formerly known as Prince.

Aretha Franklin and George Clinton were inducted into the Image Awards Hall of Fame.

“Cosby” was named outstanding comedy series. Although creator/star Bill Cosby was not present to receive the award, co-star Phylicia Rashad won warm applause as she thanked the organization for naming her outstanding actress in a comedy series.

“I thank Mr. Cosby for giving me the opportunity to do it again,” Rashad said of her role, the second time she has played Cosby’s sitcom partner.

Other awards went to Denzel Washington for entertainer of the year; Babyface for outstanding male artist; Toni Braxton for outstanding female artist; and the soundtrack for the movie “The Preacher’s Wife,” which was named outstanding album.

Kweisi Mfume, president and CEO of the NAACP, issued a terse note on the local chapter’s action: The chapter “acted in clear violation of . . . procedures and policy” of the NAACP because there was “no prior consultation or discussion of this matter.”