WE ARE NOT GOING BACK
“PEOPLE-GET READY-GET ON BOARD”
Our Democracy is on the Ballot
PROTECT THE RIGHT TO VOTE
Join the efforts of the NAACP National Office in calling for CONGRESS to pass the JOHN LEWIS VOTING RIGHTS ACT. Hold your elected officials accountable, contact your Congressional Representative and Petition them to support the John Lewis Voting Rights Act Now!
VOTE IN THE PRIMARY ELECTION
Contact vote.pa.gov to Register to Vote. There are four ways: on line, by mail, In person at your county voter registration office, or other authorized government agency
A Message from the NAACP President
The NAACP was formed in 1909 to secure the political, educational, economic, and social equality of African Americans. Today, more than a century later, these hard fought for rights, that some shed blood for, are under attack. Recent Supreme Court decisions have rolled back rights in which the NAACP helped to ensure are protected under federal law. Included among these are voting rights, affirmative action, and women’s access to reproductive health care. And as I see it, this may not be the end.
But we are not going back! And most certainly not on my watch! The NAACP will carry out its long tradition of interracial cooperation to prevent the country from being taken back to a time in our history when African American and Black and Brown peoples were considered a “DISMISSED PEOPLE. ” Even though we contributed to creating the wealth of the nation, too often we were excluded from sharing in that wealth; and denied our rights as citizens to participate in the democratic political process. As I see it, this lack of representation at the decision-making table and inequities in access to services that meet basis survival needs remain critical issues of concern.
For example, our Elected Officials must reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of the Bethlehem Citizenry. Yet, a review of the composition of the Bethlehem City Council since the 1960s reflects a pattern that excludes the participation of well qualified Black candidates. Dr. Wandalyn Enix, PhD, the first African American to serve on the Bethlehem City Council, is noted to have served with “distinction, knowledge , experience and honor, ” but occupied the seat for a scant two years of service. More recently, a well-qualified African American male sought the open seat on the Council, but I am told he failed to meet the city father’s “expectations.” To represent the aspirations of the diversity of all citizens of Bethlehem, we need politicians of color to have a presence in the political hierarchy. To develop solutions to problems that have a disproportionate impact on communities of color, our elective officials must include among its members those who share a personal identification, and firsthand knowledge about their lived experiences that account for the disproportionate impact of the social conditions listed below on these communities.
Affordable Housing
Access to affordable housing is of the highest priority if families and neighborhoods are to thrive. Capital priorities must be balance with social priorities to avoid an over emphasis on construction of HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS WITH HIGH RENTS, at the expense of affordable homes in neighborhoods suitable for bringing up children and allow for wealth creation through home ownership. From my on the ground experience this shortsightedness encourages disgruntlement among people in the community.
Homelessness
The lack of affordable housing serves as a pipeline for fueling the homeless population. The Bethlehem Emergency Shelter continues to provide temporary housing to those among us who are homeless. But we will all agree that a shelter bed is not a home. Of immediate priority is for the real estate communities to establish a goal to find permanent residencies to accommodate those who, due to no fault of their own, have fallen into this crisis.
Incarceration
I, as well as other community members have not had a good report about the prisons and jails. From these reports these facilities need much improvement and reform. Among the inhumane treatment of inmates includes the overuse of solitary confinement, which the research tells us is not an effective rehabilitation tool if this is the goal on incarceration as it should be.
Education and the Public School System
Closing the Achievement Gap
Black students are a constant concern. This cohort of students continues to have the worse outcomes than nearly all other ethnic and racial groups of students enrolled in our public schools. For me, the use of weapons, particularly guns, and student ABSENTEEISM are of special concern. Our public schools must be perceived by all students as safe spaces to learn, and that they look forward with enthusiasm to attending every day.
Racial Bias tracking students of color into special education classes
Of equal concern is the specifics of administering the Special Education program, and the need for transparency and parental involvement and inclusion in the program. Members of our Education Committee met with local Bethlehem Area School District officials on matters brought to our attention regarding the program. At that meeting we asked that an NAACP liaison be assigned to assist in mediating concerns of the District and those of parents related to racial bias in carrying out the program; that parent perceived disadvantaged African American and other students of color. These bias, perceived or real, may account for the over-representation of students of color in special education classes.
Pre-School and Kindergarten
Pre-school and kindergarten is an accepted prerequisite for the future success of children before they began compulsory elementary school as well as in middle and high school. It is these early years that establish a foundation for language acquisition, socialization, cognitive development, and a positive sense of self. The science tells us that children learn and develop at different rates, and no child should be labeled because they have yet to fall within the range of what is considered “the norm.” We recognize that these early formative years are a time when potential developmental concerns may be identified and targeted for early intervention that prevent the overly of problems in the future. At the same time, diagnostic and assessment tools must consider cultural differences that account for differences in learning styles of different ethnic groups of children. Administrators and teachers interacting with culturally diverse students should be well versed in what is now widely accepted that the use of culturally competent diagnostic and assessment tools are a requirement for developing the most appropriate educational plan for all children; and/or training in this area should be provided by the District.
Integrating Content on the Black Experience throughout the curriculum
It is imperative for Black History, and the contributions of Blacks to American society and culture, is integrated in the curriculum at all grade levels. This curriculum content should be designed and taught in age-appropriate ways that is in keeping with best practices as presented in the accepted pedagogy for teaching this content at the elementary and secondary school levels. Moreover, we seek more than statistics and underscore that the District needs adequate funds, resources and appropriately credentialed administrators, teachers, and support staff to ensure that students of color, indeed, all students, receive an education that prepares them for productive citizenship and self-sufficiency.
A last word, do not be left out. Inaction is not an option! People Get on Board with the NAACP, join us in recapturing what was the rallying cry of the thousands of Black and White Americans who in unity and determination marched on Washington, D.C. in 1963 that spawned the most transformative social movement in the nation’s history.
The struggle continues! When we Fight, We Win!
Yours in the Struggle,
Esther M. Lee, President
