by Curmilus Dancy II
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The following are some quotes from the News Observer on last week titled: "Activist questions NAACP's approach"
All real NAACP members ought to be pissed with the arrogance of Melvin "Skip" Alston as he is doing what many racist whites does and that is to try to mislead black folks when it comes to real black leadership. I lost it when I read in the N & O where "Skip" had the audacity to say that Dr. Barber has nothing worth talking about and refuses to participate in a debate. If "Skip" can stand on his record then why is he so damn scared of a debate?
On Dr. Barber's Blog it is listed that he served as:
- Executive Director for NC Human Relations Commission. Appointed by Governor James B. Hunt. Enforced housing, employment discrimination and hate crime laws. Managed a million-dollar budget with a staff of ten including two lawyers and coordinated with human relations councils statewide.
- Served as Political Action Chair of the NC NAACP State Conference.
Served as President of Washington County Youth Council NAACP, (won the state chapter of the year).- Served as chairman of the committee on Morality for the Hate Violence Church Bombing Task Force.
- Served on the National Reconciliation Task Force Christian Church Convocation and Regional Board of The Christian Church (DOC).
- Has stood with and supported the Dept. of Transportation, DOT 7 in the hangman’s noose case.
- Stood with and spoke on behalf of educational advocates for funding low wealth schools.
- Campaigned for Mayor of Goldsboro as a write-in candidate five days before the election and garnered 40% of the votes.
- Organized 2004 a North Carolina Get out to Vote Rally and Radio-thon that included Judge Jim Wynn, former House of Rep. Dan Blue, former State Auditor Ralph Campbell and the US Congresspersons Jim Clyburn and G.K. Butterfield.
- Currently working on second book entitled “Say it Preacher: The Power of Prophetic Preaching.”
- Served on the National Community Economic Development Board. Visited the White House with other community activist, to push for greater resources to low wealth communities.
- Has been awarded keys to three different cities.
- Served on Board of Trustees at NC Central University Durham NC and Barton College Wilson NC.
- Lectured at the National Convocation Harambi Institute, the National Convocation of Black Ministers Retreat and National Medical Association.
- Guest Preacher for the Truth and Reconciliation commission in Greensboro, NC to address the deaths of social justice workers in 1979.
- Served as Political Action Chair of the NC NAACP State Conference.
In the N & O "Skip" said the NAACP wins its fights working behind the scenes with state legislators. This is scary because behind the scenes fights to me could raise several questions but for me the most important question is what comes along with the behind the scene fights? I see where money could play a role and it leaves room for the leader to be bought and sold. Remember I am always saying that I know the players and what they are capable of so I know that some legislators are in the business of buying off the Safe Negroes who will sell us out.
"A lot of our good deeds go unnoticed," Alston said. "I don't try to seek headlines." Mr. Skip out by not willing to participate in a debate Alston, I sure would love to hear about your good deeds.
On Seymour Floyd's blog there is an article titled "Skip Alston Adopts Jesse Helms's Debate Strategy" and this is another example of how arrogant "Skip" can be.
In the N & O an Alston backer, the Rev. Charles Smith of Durham, said the incumbent should get credit for nurturing the grass roots. Alston's seat on the NAACP's national board of directors has raised the state's profile, Smith said. But Rev. Smith what has "Skip" done? Mr. Smith you say, "Skip is the same as you are and that is scary. You say you are not too out front, outspoken and that you like to work behind the scenes."
Rev. Smith in my opinion you have confirmed all the reason why it is time for "Skip" to skip out on us. If any NAACP member think the NAACP can be lead by a Safe Negro who don't want to be outfront, not outspoken and want to operate behind the scenes then we have a serious problem.
Rev. Dr. William Joseph Barber III has proven that he is not a Safe Negro. Again I repeat to all NAACP'ers especially the 2005 NAACP Delegates, vote for change or you can vote to continue to hold us right where we are.