Evanston North Shore Branch NAACP

Evanston North/Shore Branch NAACP

An Official Complete Count Census Partner

CEnsus 2020

President's Report August 2020

Dr. Michael C. R. Nabors
President Evanston/North Shore NAACP

Dear Evanston/ North Shore NAACP Members,

I hope and pray all is well with each of you. As you can imagine, July was quite a busy month for the NAACP both nationally, statewide and locally. One of our highlights was an invitation to offer prayer at a Chicago Rally for Workers seeking fair wages. The peaceful demonstration began on Randolph, just outside the Chicago Police Department and included a 40 minute march through the downtown streets of the city. The march was organized by local unions and the intent was to ask for a fair wage for McDonald employees. July also included opportunities for the branch to continue serving on the District 65 Task Force designed to discuss re-opening school options along with issues related to equity and other areas. We also continue working with the Mayor’s COVID-19 Task Force.

At the National level, the NAACP has introduced a lawsuit against Betsy DeVos over COVID-19 aid rule, suggesting (rightfully so) that it benefits private schools at the expense of public schools. The NAACP is also planning a virtual March on Washington to press for more police accountability and transparency. The event will take place August 28th, marking the 57th anniversary of the historic march where Dr. King delivered his “I Have a Dream Speech.”

We mourn the loss of civil rights icons Congressman John Lewis and Rev. C.T. Vivian who died July 17, along with another civil rights icon Emma Sanders, who died June 24. We are deeply excited to share that the president of Fairfax County NAACP announced a high school once named Robert E. Lee will now bear the name of John Lewis. As we celebrate their legacy, let us also recognize the best way of remembering them is to engage in what Congressman Lewis often called, “good trouble.” We are grateful for the tremendous work being done in our branch as it relates to voter education/registration and the census. What a marvelous way to remember the giants who have gone before us.

We are delighted to report that more than 50 people have submitted their names for membership to our branch in the past month. Additionally, the NAACP has been experiencing exponential membership growth in every region around the nation. Without a doubt, as it relates to the fierce fight for civil rights- we remain “the oldest and the boldest, the longest and the strongest” organization in the nation. With such accolades however, comes a grave and urgent responsibility. We have all seen the rise of racism in our nation. We have heard the vitriol of discrimination and bias coming from elected officials. We have seen the episodes where “Kens and Karens” have used so-called white entitlement in an effort to denigrate and diminish the value of black and brown people. There is no question, the need for the NAACP has never been greater. As we reflect upon past accomplishments in public education, higher education, the military and housing (to name a few) we must admit that past gains are under present attacks.

We in the Evanston/North Shore NAACP, implore every single resident to join our branch. We believe there is power in numbers and there is real power in numbers where people are united. We are standing at the precipice of change. Such a moment occurs rarely in history. As our young people have taken to the streets to demonstrate for fairness, equity and respect for black and brown bodies, I believe they also need our support. We should be visible, present and a part of their peaceful protests. And we should also seek to strategize, plan and process what must occur after the protests have ended. With a strong NAACP branch helping lead the way in bringing down systems and structures of racism, we believe all the other isms will also be brought down.

In closing, let me share with you that 2020 has been a challenging year for all of us. But keep in mind, we have been around for 111 years. And with every challenge we have faced, we have overcome. That will not stop in this year.

Keep the Faith,
Rev. Dr. Michael Nabors President

Evanston Branch

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