Honest Critiques and the Start of a Revolution

Arielle — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:49:22 +0000

I made a promise to myself that I would dedicate my London experience to learning more about my people’s history globally and read as many black literary works as possible. After running New Jersey’s NAACP Youth & College Division State Convention successfully this weekend and meeting a ton of student leaders across several campuses in Jersey, I felt inspired that perhaps my peers do care about the state of the black community and truly want to give their energy toward a new movement. I’ve been criticized for airing this out in the public; however, as a national member and State President of New Jersey’s NAACP Youth & College Division, I think the NAACP, as an association, has been slacking. My critique is not meant to cause division in the Association since I have been quoted to say that “any passionless civil rights leader should be stripped of their title and prohibited for speaking on behalf of the younger generation.” Instead, my words were meant to cause a wake up call to all state NAACP youth & college divisions, NAACP national staff, and any civil rights “leader” in this country. The civil rights movement is extinct, and we have been riding too long on the past accomplishments of our ancestors. With so many young people waiting for a new movement and a chance to express their militancy and desire for change, it’s time that the NAACP step its game up and lead the younger generation in a movement to change this country. I’m tired of seeing civil rights panels or black issues discussions on TV with NO REPRESENTATION OF ANYONE UNDER 25. Reverend Sharpton and Reverend Jackson should not be getting more phone calls than young civil rights leaders. Youthful talent is present and it’s also time that the media recognize that the civil rights leaders of the past may NOT be the civil rights leaders of the present (uh oh! did Arielle really just say that!). Nevertheless, if no one wants to listen to me, at least I can say that New Jersey’s NAACP Youth & College Division will be wreaking havoc and starting a militant movement in our state for change under my leadership. Regardless of who wins the election (GO OBAMA-BIDEN 08!), we will NOT succumb to faulty leadership and have another 8 years of being ignored. Check out some pictures of the convention and see some of the CURRENT civil rights leaders of this nation. In the words of Afeni Shakur, a past noted NY Black Panther and mother of hip hop legend Tupac Shakur, “There is a difference between a resistance and revolution.” Angela Davis also said it best when she stated, “Revolution is a serious thing, even more serious a revolutionary’s life. When one dedicates themselves to the struggle it must be for a lifetime.” Therefore, you will be seeing much more of us in the future. NEWS FLASH: Arielle is TAKING the torch regardless whether it is being given to me or not. Resisting injustice is not enough, it’s time for a new movement aka a civil rights revolution. I’m not all about talk though, so watch my Executive Committee flip New Jersey upside down during the next year of my presidency. Let’s just say some state officials at the convention got a wake up call and meetings have been planned upon my return from London.

Check out an article about the New Jersey NAACP Youth & College Division in the Daily Record http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008809280379

Arielle Loren » Jesse Jackson

Honest Critiques and the Start of a Revolution