Slavery reparations gaining momentum
By Erin Texeira, Associated Press
Advocates who say black Americans should be compensated for slavery and its Jim Crow aftermath are quietly chalking up victories and gaining momentum. Fueled by the work of scholars and lawyers, their campaign has morphed in recent years from a fringe-group rallying cry into sophisticated, mainstream movement. Most recently, a pair of churches apologized for their part in the slave trade, and one is studying ways to repay black church members. The overall issue is hardly settled, even among black Americans: Some say that focusing on slavery shouldn't be a top priority or that it doesn't make sense to compensate people generations after a historical wrong. Yahoo! News
"Progress through Partnership"
2006 MLBCF Midwestern Conference
Tan-Tar-A Resort Lake Of the Ozarks, Missouri
July 13-16, 2006
Voting Our Values, Valuing Our Votes
NAACP 97TH Annual Convention opens July 15
in the nation's capital
Several thousand delegates and visitors from around the nation are expected to attend the 97th Annual National Association for the Advancement of Colored People National Convention, July 15-20 at the Washington, D.C. Convention Center. This marks the seventh time the NAACP has held its annual convention in the nation's capital. The theme of this year's convention is "Voting Our Values, Valuing Our Votes."
NAACP President and CEO Bruce S. Gordon said: "I look forward to my first convention as President and CEO of this great organization. African Americans have made great strides in this country, but there are still civil rights battles to be fought. The attempt by some members of Congress to stall a vote on extending the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is just one example of why the NAACP must continue to exist and to prosper."
NAACP National Board of Directors Chairman Julian Bond said: "Our annual conventions bring together committed civil rights activists from across the nation to re-charge their batteries and to learn new techniques in fighting old evils. We’ll stress the importance of valuing our votes and will leave Washington determined to vote our values."
Convention highlights include the historic re-presentation of " The Great Tablet" at John Brown's Fort at Harper's Ferry in West, Virginia; daily tours to the African American Civil Rights Museum; a health symposium on HIV/AIDS; keynote addresses by Julian Bond and Bruce S. Gordon; the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the NAACP Youth and College Division; a legislative session on the "Voting Rights Act Reauthorization;" Continuing Legal Education and health workshops and the Spingarn Awards Dinner honoring Dr. Benjamin S. Carson.
Roslyn Brock, Vice Chair, NAACP National Board of Directors and Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee, said: "The NAACP Board Convention Planning Committee looks forward to welcoming delegates and friends to the 97th Annual NAACP Convention. This year's theme speaks to the many heartaches, the tears and blood that were shed in the fight for full citizenship rights. We cannot and will not be turned back." More
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