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Friday, June 29, 2007
NAACP MEMBERSHIP GROWS BY 50% IN 90 DAYS
Posted by Justin Jeffre
MEDIA RELEASE: June 29, 2007. The general membership of the NAACP held its monthly meeting last night, Thursday, June 28, 2007. Christopher Smitherman and the Executive Committee announced that membership had increased 50% over the past 90 days. This is most notably reflected in the attendance of members at the monthly meetings. Last night’s attendance was roughly 130.
Smitherman has served as branch president for 90 days. As president, he set a goal to increase the membership roll to 2,000 by the time National NAACP Convention arrives in Cincinnati next summer(2008). This is an average of 119 new members per month. With 400 new members, the organization is tracking above its “first quarter” goals.
When asked why membership is increasing so rapidly, Smitherman answered, “The organization is operating independently and is relevant to its constituents. There’s a move toward excellence.”
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29 Jun 2007 at 11:33 pm | #
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Do you mean before they only had 65 members ?
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30 Jun 2007 at 12:36 pm | #
No Freedom…there are more members than that. 130 attended the meeting. More probably would have arrived if the weather would have been better.
30 Jun 2007 at 08:52 pm | #
What an absolutely incredible side effect of the referendum campaign! The best thing that could happen is: the NAACP grows their wealth, power and level of knowledge and involvement in the political process. Heck, it would be just rewards for COAST to have helped to build the clout of the NAACP- a group they are using for their own agenda and who they have worked to keep “down” for nearly a decade.
Notable, Smitherman has said the referendum has nothing to do with a lack of support for the Comprehensive Safety Plan -he says it’s all about having a say about a tax. I believe the NAACP WILL support the CSP if it goes to vote.
So what’s the point in collecting signatures for the rich white guys at COAST against an action that BENEFITS the black community? Well, I guess God works in mysterious ways- the growth in membership in the NAACP might actually be worth it!
Could this be Smitherman’s plan all along? Create a vehicle to talk to the community, create empowerment within the community, shaft the petitions in the end - and get a win all around for the NAACP community? Brilliant! So brilliant it’s scary.
(My fantasy)
30 Jun 2007 at 10:52 pm | #
Justin, will the video be posted?
01 Jul 2007 at 12:30 am | #
anon2000, you are dreaming! The NAACP will vote against the regressive jail tax to build Leis more space to lock up poor black people. Portune might have Donald Spencer on board but he got bad reviews from his last performance and then imposed his jail tax.
Portune’s disenfranchising an important part of the unDemocratic party’s base. This could really hurt his party and his political career. If they believed in their plan they should’ve tried to get African American’s on board instead of imposing it. Now it’s likely to be on the ballot and go down in November. Not very smart!
Smitherman and the NAACP is leading this coalition and is supported by the Green Party, Libertarian Party, Cincinnati Progressive Alliance/No Jail Tax Pac, Coast and other independent citizens. Stop spinning this! It makes you sound dishonest.
Smitherman for Council 2007!
01 Jul 2007 at 01:03 am | #
So then why is Smitherman making statements that the NAACP doesn’t necessarily oppose the CSP? Because, he knows darn good and well the Plan is exactly what the black community has been asking for - services, efficiencies and job placement in real jobs. Reforms that will result in more African Americans getting out of the system than if they stick with the status quo!
And, this thing about Portune and Pepper alienating the Democratic Party ... they will be lauded for staking their political careers to further criminal justice reforms in such a conservative community.
01 Jul 2007 at 05:02 pm | #
anon200, Todd Portune is so damn long-winded that the meeting went too long for us to have a discussion about it. The membership was clear that Hamilton County voters should decide, not Leis, Pepper and Portune.
Portune talked for almost 15 minutes without even discussing the jail. He was giving himself a pat on the back and trying to warm up the crowd, but they weren’t buying it.
!
The African American community wants them to do something about all the black people being locked up when they shouldn’t be for things like Pepper’s marijuana ordinance which Portune says is a major cause of overcrowding. Pepper has no credibility on the issue and has no respect in the African American community and that’s why he didn’t show up.
We know most people are sitting in jail waiting for a court date but there’s nothing that addresses that in this uncomprehensive plan.
01 Jul 2007 at 07:32 pm | #
Actually, the Criminal Justice Commission is looking into that very issue; why there are such inefficiencies in the system; what takes so long; and are there non-violent crimes taking up too much jailspace. It’s also going to look into other questions of justice, such as jury representation, etc.
The Plan pays for this CJC process to be permanently funded. But if Smitherman succeeds in tanking the plan, there goes this great chance for reform. Instead, all we get are jail plans like DeWine’s, and nothing else.
01 Jul 2007 at 08:43 pm | #
“It would be better to trust the many than the few, who are infected with the plague of self-interest and selfishness.”
–Tom Paine (1737 - 1809), “The Rights of Man”
Give the people a vote! Stop feeding us the corporate bs and let us decide. If it is a good idea the voters will approve it. If it fails improve it until it is adequate.
If anon2000 would spend some time improving the corporate plan instead of trying to rationalize it. The voters might approve it. And, your fictive concern for the black community is so authentic.
02 Jul 2007 at 12:28 pm | #
Smitherman’s plan all along was to create a platform for himself to run for City Council. He didn’t care if this benefited the black community or was what they’d been asking for. And in doing so, he revived the Republican’s old cop out, they can’t do anything without asking the voters first. The only thing Chris Smitherman cares about is Chris Smitherman.
The voters always have the right to rescind, but asking the voters to make all the tough decisions is an abdication of the responsiblities of public office.
02 Jul 2007 at 06:39 pm | #
Hey Anon2008, I for one would love to see Christopher Smitherman run for City Council again, along with Andrew Warner, Brian Garry, and Rev. Damon Lynch III. We could use a few forward thinking progressives on the Council for a change. Even though they don’t all belong to the same party they all are concerned with the welfare of the people of Cincinnati, all the people. Vera Z.
02 Jul 2007 at 06:57 pm | #
Where do non-Christians fit into Smitherman’s plan? He continually declares that he’s saved, born again and that 99% of NAACP membership is Christian. So that very clearly says that non-Christians views won’t be welcome in the NAACP. He also talks about the Jewish community and the Jewish agenda and that Jews stick together. Since Jews run the gamut in political and religious points of view including a large anti-Israel group, Smitherman is simply using innuendo. Now same thing with City Council. He’s made it perfectly clear, especially over the past few months, that he’s capable and willing to represent only a narrow population of primarily black people and then only those that subscribe strictly to his agenda. And that agenda is his. He makes that clear. He says what he wants and plans to do, not that he wants to represent the views of his constituency, be it NAACP or citizens of Cincinnati. Where do gays, immigrants, poor whites, fit into his plan? Doesn’t this make the “Green Party” a little nervous? Guess we have to remember these are Cincinnati Greens. Greens of a different hue.
03 Jul 2007 at 12:13 am | #
Anon#9 - I walk the walk every day - What do you do, critique? It almost appears as if so many people haven’t even read the CSP - because their comments make no sense at all. If you can’t take the time to read it, then stop stirring the pot - you make a fool of yourself to those of us who read it AND understand it.
03 Jul 2007 at 08:38 am | #
anon2000, why do you keep inventing this? At the May membership meeting, everyone in attendance who asked questions of Portune was vehemently opposed to the building of a new jail.
Do you dispute that fact?
You keep writing as if Smitherman has manufactured this discontent. He has not. You are the one making things up to benefit the political career of your friend Todd Portune.
03 Jul 2007 at 08:50 am | #
Hey Cincysue, not every person who calls himself “born again” or “christian” is anti-semetic or bigoted. I have never heard
Christopher Smitherman say anything that would indicate that he was anti-semetic, anti-gay, or a bigot. Vera Z
03 Jul 2007 at 08:33 pm | #
You’re right Vera Z, not every but most. But since he’s now a Green Party candidate, it would be appropriate for him to give some clarification on where he stands. What’s his position on gay marriage and protections in employment and housing? That’s a big one for the Greens. Immigration? Non-religious people? White people? The bad ass rebel pseudo panther separatist image that he adapted to get himself into the NAACP presidency has already collided with the patriotic, conservative, anti-petition, right-to-vote libertarian, work within the system personna of late. When the third (or the fourth because there’s the financial consultant guy too) Smiterman emerges, the city council candidate, who will he be? The free wheeling anti-war, pro-environment, live and let live Green Smitherman? It’ll be interesting to watch.
04 Jul 2007 at 09:52 am | #
I meant anti-jail.
05 Jul 2007 at 10:12 am | #
Sue, have you ever met Christopher Smitherman? I am a member of the NAACP, I am acquainted with the Christian faith and I am neither an anti-semite nor a bigot. I find your characterizations of both Smitherman and the membership of the NAACP to be narrow at best.
. I am curious why you would adopt such the description above? Why is it when Black leaders start to advocate on behalf of Black people, there are always folks who start labeling, calling names etc. Curious that it never happens when others advocate on behalf of their various groups. Very rarely if ever are Jewish people faulted for advocated on behalf of Jewish people and/or causes yet when Black folks do the same then we are somehow, radical, militant or as you put it pseudo black panther separatists??
05 Jul 2007 at 10:36 am | #
what ‘agenda’ is that?
05 Jul 2007 at 07:08 pm | #
Ask him his agenda not me. That’s what I’m asking. WHAT IS HIS AGENDA? Is it the Green Agenda, the NAACP agenda? And I’d really like some clarification on what you call Jewish causes? Are you talking about Israel? And that’s actually a Zionist issue and there are great divisions between Jews across the world on that. What other Jewish issues can you name? There are certainly Hispanic issues though locally and even nationally there are no powerful advocates. Asian issues? Name an influential leader on Asian issues. And so on. YOU claim that representatives for many groups don’t face the scrutiny that Smitherman faces. I claim that there are NO powerful, visible, name advocates for any groups other than African American. I never said that Smitherman shouldn’t advocate for what HE perceives is the good of the African American community though it’s simplistic to assume that all of one group thinks alike. I only ask who he will be representing should he be elected to council. Is it fair game to question every person in public life except Smitherman?
05 Jul 2007 at 07:25 pm | #
Smitherman represents all Cincinnatians and he’s giving all of Hamilton County voters a voice in their future with regards to the Democrats jail tax.
The NAACP isn’t like the Bengals. The NAACP is a civil rights organization that’s mission is to make sure that all people are treated fairly. That means making sure that African Americans can no longer be excluded from major development deals etc. Smitherman successfully built a coalition that’s doing that.
Smitherman negotiated a better deal on the Fountain Square/3CDC debacle which benefits all of us tax payers. Smitherman is for environmental justice which is good for all Cincinnatians, not just black people. Smitherman represents us all. That’s his agenda and I support his bid for council.