Raynard
Jackson
Those who have followed my writings over the years know
that I am not very fond of the modern day NAACP. They have strayed very far
from their original mission and have become a patsy for the Democratic Party.
They are more concerned with having a photo taken at the White House than being
the picture of equality and fairness for those with no voice.
The group was founded in
1909 as a civil rights organization. Its charter stated their mission as: “To
promote equality of rights and to eradicate caste or race prejudice among the
citizens of the United States; to advance the interest of colored [Black]
citizens; to secure for them impartial suffrage; and to increase their
opportunities for securing justice in the courts, education for the children,
employment according to their ability and complete equality before law.”
A charter or mission statement guides an organization to
ensure that it stays true to its mission; it helps an organization to stay
focused on its raison d’etre—its reason for being. So, I ask the NAACP, what is
the basis for its focus on gay entitlements or citizenship for those in the
country illegally?
Notice that I used the term “gay entitlements” not gay
rights! A right has to be derived from some source document—the U.S.
Constitution, a law, the Bible, etc. But, an entitlement is not derivative—it’s
based on a “belief” that one deservers a benefit; that belief is totally
subjective.
Based on their charter, the NAACP has no business being involved
in all these issues that are outside of their core mission—equality for Black
citizens. Has the Human Rights Campaign (a gay entitlements group) or the
pro-amnesty forces come out with a statement about Trayvon Martin, or all the
child killings in Chicago, or discrimination against Blacks? We all know the
answer is no!
So, you have the NAACP fighting for entitlements that are
outside the scope of their charter; but, yet the groups they are fighting for
gives no reciprocity when it comes to issues of particular interest to the
Black community.
It should not surprise the public that the NAACP has
publically declared their support for “gay marriage.” Notice that I did not say
“marriage equality.” When gays use the word marriage equality, they are saying
that they want gay marriage to be “equal” to heterosexual marriage. By
definition that cannot happen since marriage is between a man and a woman.
Their goal is not equality, because that is an impossibility; they want
acceptance. They want to redefine marriage, thereby forcing society to accept
their lifestyle choices.
When the NAACP issued their
statement of support for gay entitlements they said, “The NAACP Constitution affirmatively
states our objective to ensure the “political, educational, social and economic
equality” of all people. Therefore, the NAACP has opposed and will continue to
oppose any national, state, local policy or legislative initiative that seeks
to codify discrimination or hatred into the law or to remove the Constitutional
rights of LGBT citizens. We support marriage equality consistent with equal
protection under the law provided under the Fourteenth Amendment of the United
States Constitution. Further, we strongly affirm the religious freedoms of all
people as protected by the First Amendment.”
Using the 14th
amendment as the basis for asserting the right for gays to marry is a bit of a
stretch. In Hernandez v. Texas (1954) the U.S. Supreme Court held that the 14th
amendment protects those beyond the racial classes of white or “Negro” and
extends to other racial, ethnic and other historically disadvantaged groups,
i.e. women.
So, please tell me which
of the above groups would gay marriage come under? The 14th
Amendment does not apply to them. They are asking the courts to create a
special class of rights for them based on sexual preference, which is their
ultimate goal.
Gays do not deserve
special protection based on their sexual preferences, but they do deserve equal
protection based on their humanity.
In a 2005 speech, the NAACP’s former chairman, Julian Bond
said, “…Sexual disposition parallels race. I [a gay person] was born this way.
I have no choice. I wouldn’t change it if I could. Sexuality is unchangeable. I
guess Bond never heard of anyone having their sex changed surgically?
So, let me make sure I understand this. If I
choose to exercise my right to oppose gay marriage, I am hateful and believe in
discrimination? So, while the Black community is sinking in alarming
pathologies with Black on Black crime, runaway teenage pregnancy, high
unemployment, the NAACP is taking up the cause that has absolutely no legal
basis and is outside the mandate of their own charter. Are you kidding me?
Weak people (and groups), take strong positions
on weak issues. The modern day Civil Rights movement has done more harm to
Blacks than any man in a white hood!
Raynard
Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a
D.C.-public relations/government affairs firm. His website is:
www.raynardjackson.com.
Raynard Jackson & Associates,
LLC is a internationally recognized political consulting, government affairs,
and PR firm based in Washington, DC. Jackson is a internationally recognized
radio talk show host and TV commentator. He has coined the phrase “straticist.”
As a straticist, he has merged strategic planning with public relations. Call
RJA to discuss how they can get you to the next level of your career.
