(ThyBlackMan.com) I am not sure how much you know about the NAACP. I am also not sure how much I know about the group myself. The organization is storied and respected in the black community, and has the ability to strike fear in those determined to oppress struggling communities.
But I’d be lying if I didn’t say that the NAACP has sometimes lost its way. A series of questionable financial and political alliances often leave people uninspired by the organization and wondering exactly who they represent. One example is when black preachers within the organization were protesting the leadership’s decision to back gay marriage. This “official backing” occurred despite a large percentage of NAACP members agreeing to no such thing. This is hardly an ethical way to lead
any organization and appeared to be a blatant product of political cronyism.
I have to confess that I wasn’t exactly the best of friends with outgoing NAACP President Ben Jealous, largely because we didn’t see eye-to-eye on the way the group made its money. But seriously: Can we ever be comfortable when our leading civil rights organization drops a lawsuit against predatory lender Wells Fargo after receiving a large donation? While some might say that the partnership with Wells Fargo gave the NAACP access and the ability to monitor the company’s behavior, I had to wonder what was being done to repair billions of dollars in wealth that was destroyed in the black community when people lost their homes. My grandparents were victims of predatory lending, so this issue is personal for me.
My point here is that the degree to which any organization can be trusted often comes down to financial incentives and the integrity of its leadership. Depending on awards shows and money from predatory lenders to do work for the black community can be nothing short of a financial death trap. It is my hope that one day, faith can be restored in the NAACP and black people can truly believe that the group has its best interests at heart.
That’s the reason I believe that financial expert Ryan Mack might be the best person to run the organization.
At the very least, Ryan Mack’s expertise in fundraising and money management might be a first step toward freeing the NAACP from the financial shackles that have kept it from doing its best work. There is no denying that the group is effective when it wants to be. Also, Ryan Mack’s work with formerly incarcerated Americans would go right to the root of that which is plaguing the black community the most. If we do not deal with the social infections, mental illness, economic devastation and family destruction occuring in the black community due to the prison industrial complex, black America will be stuck like an elephant in quicksand with no legs attached to its body.
Another thing I respect about Ryan is his fearless and energetic commitment to helping black people from all backgrounds. During his “Less Talk More Action” economic empowerment tour, I watched Ryan go from city-to-city giving more financial literacy presentations in a week than most people do in a year. He spoke to anyone and everyone who wanted to know the benefits of building their wealth and I”ll admit that it left me impressed. I’ve seen him go into dangerous neighborhoods and other places that most middle class people would not go. I’ve rarely seen anyone so determined to help his people.
I am admittedly biased when I write this, and I don’t normally get heavily involved in supporting political candidates of any kind. But I had to make an exception for Ryan because I’ve seen this man in action. He’s the real deal in terms of his commitment to the community, and it’s exactly this kind of energy and intelligence that would be necessary to propel the NAACP back to greatness.
Staff Writer; Dr. Boyce Watkins
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition. For more information, please visit http://BoyceWatkins.com.