Are white people welcome in local NAACP groups?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You realize there have been white people in leadership roles, right?

This is off topic. I’m asking about the culture in local groups. Go start a new thread if you want to stir the pot.

I’m actually trying to educate you bozos about the history of white people not only co-founding, but helping lead the NAACP.

If you can share more about culture and history of the local chapters then please do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You realize there have been white people in leadership roles, right?

This is off topic. I’m asking about the culture in local groups. Go start a new thread if you want to stir the pot.

I’m actually trying to educate you bozos about the history of white people not only co-founding, but helping lead the NAACP.

If you can share more about culture and history of the local chapters then please do.

Why does that matter? If anyone questions you, you can say you’re simply following in the long history of trying to be an ally. If they don’t know the history of their own organization, that’s really on them. They should know that white people co-founded it and have served as Chapter presidents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You realize there have been white people in leadership roles, right?

This is off topic. I’m asking about the culture in local groups. Go start a new thread if you want to stir the pot.

I’m actually trying to educate you bozos about the history of white people not only co-founding, but helping lead the NAACP.

If you can share more about culture and history of the local chapters then please do.

Why does that matter? If anyone questions you, you can say you’re simply following in the long history of trying to be an ally. If they don’t know the history of their own organization, that’s really on them. They should know that white people co-founded it and have served as Chapter presidents.

Because if I’m not really welcome then I don’t want to go.

[Anonymous]

Thank you, Jeff, for fixing the title.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You realize there have been white people in leadership roles, right?

This is off topic. I’m asking about the culture in local groups. Go start a new thread if you want to stir the pot.

I’m actually trying to educate you bozos about the history of white people not only co-founding, but helping lead the NAACP.

If you can share more about culture and history of the local chapters then please do.

Why does that matter? If anyone questions you, you can say you’re simply following in the long history of trying to be an ally. If they don’t know the history of their own organization, that’s really on them. They should know that white people co-founded it and have served as Chapter presidents.

Because if I’m not really welcome then I don’t want to go.

My point is that white people have been welcomed throughout history and were instrumental in founding it, so there’s zero reason why you shouldn’t be welcome now.

The entire idea for the NAACP was white progressives; they contacted DuBois and other black leaders and asked them to help.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you, Jeff, for fixing the title.

Sure thing. I know the VP of the local chapter and have asked him to respond to this thread. So, hopefully you will get firsthand information.

[Anonymous]

Thank you, Jeff and PP.

[Anonymous]

It would be interesting to know. I hope Jeff's friend can chime in. I am happy to donate but I don't think white people should be taking up space like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It would be interesting to know. I hope Jeff's friend can chime in. I am happy to donate but I don't think white people should be taking up space like that.

Another person who doesn’t know history.

WEB DuBois and his black colleagues didn’t say that to Mary White Ovington when she asked him to help her and her white progressive colleagues found the NAACP.

The NAACP has not said that to the white people who have not only participated, but served as Chapter Presidents.

MLK Jr did not think that when he walked in Selma arm in arm with Abraham Joshua Herschel.

Plenty of brilliant black leaders have disagreed with you.

But yes — continue to tell yourself that white people should not take up that space.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It would be interesting to know. I hope Jeff's friend can chime in. I am happy to donate but I don't think white people should be taking up space like that.

Why not? Your post is very confusing. Care to clarify?

[Anonymous]

Hold on, let's be a little more gentle. The line between actively supporting and taking up space can be difficult for someone who doesn't understand the issues well.

To the person asking (I'll assume you're being at least a little genuine) it's ok to volunteer, help out, and learn. If you go in with humility and readiness to learn you'll be ok. You won't be a chapter president or even a leader unless/until you're there. Taking up space would be going in with ignorance on issues regarding race and several degrees in whatever and declaring yourself to know better than people who have been steeped in the issues their whole lives.

I'd suggest starting to learn more by reading books sick as "White Fragility", "So you Want to Talk About Race", and Stamped.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hold on, let's be a little more gentle. The line between actively supporting and taking up space can be difficult for someone who doesn't understand the issues well.

To the person asking (I'll assume you're being at least a little genuine) it's ok to volunteer, help out, and learn. If you go in with humility and readiness to learn you'll be ok. You won't be a chapter president or even a leader unless/until you're there. Taking up space would be going in with ignorance on issues regarding race and several degrees in whatever and declaring yourself to know better than people who have been steeped in the issues their whole lives.

I'd suggest starting to learn more by reading books sick as "White Fragility", "So you Want to Talk About Race", and Stamped.

Very helpful post. I think some white people think if they are even present, they are “taking up space.” And god forbid they speak.

That’s why I get so frustrated and have to end up posting NAACP history. Plenty of white people have managed to make a real difference in this movement. You can too. Just don’t be a douche and make it clear you genuinely want to help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hold on, let's be a little more gentle. The line between actively supporting and taking up space can be difficult for someone who doesn't understand the issues well.

To the person asking (I'll assume you're being at least a little genuine) it's ok to volunteer, help out, and learn. If you go in with humility and readiness to learn you'll be ok. You won't be a chapter president or even a leader unless/until you're there. Taking up space would be going in with ignorance on issues regarding race and several degrees in whatever and declaring yourself to know better than people who have been steeped in the issues their whole lives.

I'd suggest starting to learn more by reading books sick as "White Fragility", "So you Want to Talk About Race", and Stamped.

Very helpful post. I think some white people think if they are even present, they are “taking up space.” And god forbid they speak.

That’s why I get so frustrated and have to end up posting NAACP history. Plenty of white people have managed to make a real difference in this movement. You can too. Just don’t be a douche and make it clear you genuinely want to help.

This is a good slogan. You may also want to think about impure motives you have for going and try to squash those. The books may help.

I'll also add that there will be moments where you're uncomfortable. That's ok, get used to it and deal with it. If you can't then you're probably not there for the right reason.

[Anonymous]

The DC NAACP has a few active white members, one that is chair of a Cmte. It goes without saying that white people that live in the DMV are encouraged to join, donate & be active in the DC branch.
You can contact me directly with any questions: [e-mail]

Douglass Sloan
1st VP, DC NAACP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The DC NAACP has a few active white members, one that is chair of a Cmte. It goes without saying that white people that live in the DMV are encouraged to join, donate & be active in the DC branch.
You can contact me directly with any questions: [e-mail]

Douglass Sloan
1st VP, DC NAACP

Thank you!