(ThyBlackMan.com) In all honesty, I thought someone was playing a prank on me; a bad prank, I must add.
When I noticed that the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) had called me, my immediate emotions vacillated between intrigue and humor. My emotions flow from the undeniable reality that I have been a significant critic of Civil Rights groups in general for decades. Of the existing groups, my feelings regarding the NAACP and the National Urban League are particularly harsh. Considering their inefficiency and powerlessness, I have often questioned if such organizations have a role in the contemporary fight for black uplift.
Nonetheless, I received a call informing that the NAACP hoped that I would be available at a later date to discuss “substantive political matters.”
After a bit of investigation, I learned that the vaunted civil rights organization was doing what one could argue is black political leaders grandest tradition; that being, making a last-minute attempt to mobilize black voters before a voting date that they have been aware of for years.
Trust me when I say that not only is it a Herculean effort to politicize Black America, but also last-minute rush jobs to achieve this feat are nothing new. The politically astute in our midst also recognize that we will inevitably be involved in a similar rush in 2020 as the hallmark disorganization and political inefficiency of black political leaders is the standard, not an anomaly.
I now understand that the previously discussed conference call from the NAACP is merely another plan to address yet another season of black political disorganization and ineptitude. During the alluded to call, NAACP leaders rolled out their latest strategy to overcome Black America’s gross political incompetence via the “Power of 5” initiative.
According to NAACP President Derrick Johnson, the organization is attempting to mobilize blacks for the midterm elections by asking each member to “register five people to vote and then get those five people to go with you to the polls. Just volunteering five minutes, five hours or five days on the ‘get out the vote’ effort can make all the difference in voter turnout.”
Many may be shocked to learn that I do not disagree with NAACP President Derrick Johnson’s assertion that Black America needs to exert significant effort if we are serious about maximizing black political power. My issue with the NAACP’s plan to get out the vote flows from the frustrations surrounding black political leaders unwillingness to construct a timeline that leads to the political success of Black America. Black America’s political leader’s failings and ineptitude inevitably lead to a routine game of political catch-up.
Black America should be perturbed by last-minute initiatives such as the “Power of 5” as they convey an unfortunate pattern of political inefficiency by civil rights organizations. Last minute initiatives such as the NAACP’s “Power of 5” raise suspicions that civil rights leaders are either unwilling or incapable of developing and executing long-term plans.
Unfortunately for Black America, it appears that desperation mode is an acceptable position for civil rights leaders who are currently seeking to mobilize voters who are aware of neither the political process nor the stakes of this ruthless game.
Dare I say that this last-minute political maneuvering does little more than guarantee that Black America remains mired in its marginal position and civil rights leaders retain their relevancy as political battles that should have been won decades ago remain unresolved.
Maybe that is what they secretly desire? Just a thought.
Staff Writer; Dr. James Thomas Jones III
Official website; http://www.ManhoodRaceCulture.com
One may also connect with this brother via Twitter; DrJamestJones.