Join Us as We Fight Racism in Evanston

Evanston/North Shore NAACP President's Report

October 31, 2022

Dear Evanston and North Shore,
​
Now more than ever I believe people of goodwill must unite under the banner of civility and decency. The rancor and uproar of malicious language, cruel words, unacceptable biases, blatant racism and anti-Semitism are rising everywhere. A Black entertainer and conspicuous Black political personality felt perfectly fine wearing “White Lives Matter” t-shirts at a public venue, even though such a phrase denotes underlying white nationalism. A former president of the United States speaks before a public audience saying, “American Jews need to get their act together before it is too late.” The same Black entertainer goes on to state that George Floyd died from a fentanyl overdose and wrote “def con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE.” In the hours and days after Elon Musk was forced to purchase Twitter, the use of the N-word and other ethnic slurs increased by over 500%. FBI data suggests that 55% of hate crimes from 2020 are directed against the Jewish community. In Florida alone, the number rises to over 80%.

Tragically, this rise of racial, ethnic and religious hatred is not just occurring in the United States. It is rising in other white countries around the world. The Institute of Race Relations reveals that in England and Wales 47,571 racist incidents occurred in 2013/14. That averages out to about 130 incidents...per day. In the same year 44,480 hate crimes were recorded by police in England and Wales. 37,484 were recorded as race hate crimes with 2,273 were recorded as religious hate crimes.

Worldwide there is a rising tide of prejudice and racism against non-white people and non-Christians. It is abysmal and at the same time, totally unacceptable. Our branch of the NAACP goes on record to condemn such white populism and nationalism. Both near and far, whoever speaks in words laced with hatred towards others must be pointed out, condemned and stopped. If we are not quick to condemn racism and anti-Semitism (as well as every other form of discrimination) rest assured it will continue to grow. If we do not hold social media platforms accountable for allowing such hatred to exist under their supervision (or lack thereof) then Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and others will become the perfect hiding places for those intent on spreading hatred, lies and threats. In every century, the spread of hatred, lies and threats has always led to bloodshed, battles and often enough, wars.

We who are part of the Evanston/North Shore Branch of the NAACP are calling for all individuals, families, companies, corporations, school districts, villages, towns and cities to publicly decry any evidence of racism in your area. We are calling for the elimination of all forms of public racism, anti-Semitism and other biases. Pressure must be placed on those who are using race and religious hatred to stoke the fires of division for political, economic and social purposes. While we may not immediately be able to change the hearts and minds of those filled with such vitriol, we can put a sting in their bank accounts. Racist store owners should lose their ability to serve the public. Racist elected officials should be banned from their offices and not allowed to run for any public office again. Racist police officers should be immediately fired from their positions and reasonable investigations should take place to determine their records as police officers. Racist teachers should be fired and not allowed to teach again. From Presidents and CEO’s of corporations to owners of Mom and Pop bakeries, if you are racist, there is no room for you to earn public dollars in our communities.

So many complain about how difficult and impossible it is to eradicate racism. No. It is not difficult to eradicate the racism that creates inequity and injustice against others. What is much more difficult is to live lives of happiness and success as long as racism and anti-Semitism exists. What is much more difficult is to live with such vileness knowing over a half million American soldiers died in an effort to lift the veil of darkness for us to see the light. We must simply tighten the purse strings of racists and deny them any opportunity to earn wealth by spewing hatred and division. Of course this is no easy task. It may mean stopping your patronage at your favorite shop or drinking hole. It may mean choosing another house of worship, a new set of friends or ending relationships with those on your job. It may even mean readjusting relationships with those in your own family.

But there is no alternative. Hatred cannot live in the same space as love. Evil cannot co-exist with goodness. Racism and anti-Semitism cannot exist besides a love for inclusivity and unity. You have to decide. There is no more time for straddling the fence. And we in the Evanston/North Shore NAACP have decided, love, goodness, inclusivity and unity will absolutely win the day. No. Matter. What.

Rev. Dr. Michael Nabors
President
Evanston/North Shore NAACP
​

Special Announcement

October 3, 2022
​
Dear Evanston/North Shore NAACP,

It is with heartfelt sadness that I regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs.
Bridges, long time member of the NAACP, Executive Committee member, co-
chair of the Membership Committee, member of Friendship Baptist Church
​and a veritable icon in the Evanston community.

We were blessed to honor Sister Bridges a few years ago at our Freedom
Fund Banquet. We acknowledge that our branch has been strengthened and
grown because of Mrs. Bridge's incredible presence and passion for justice.
Many of us were present at her 95th birthday celebration at Friendship four
years ago. We were simply grateful to be a part of such a wonderful
celebration where she was lifted up by her family, church family, community.

We will send out additional information regarding Mrs. Bridges homegoing
service when it becomes available.

Warmly,
​
Michael Nabors
President
Evanston/North Shore NAACP
Become a member and learn more!
Learn about Black History year round!
Hear Ms. Willie Shaw's Keynote Speech at Northwestern University.
The JOY: NU's Black Congratulatory 2022
54th NAACP Image Awards via
BET
February 25th at 7pm CST
The 114th NAACP National Convention
 in Boston, MA.
ACT-SO Competition:
Wednesday, July 26 – Saturday, July 29 
Convention sessions:
Friday, July 28 – Tuesday, August 1
House Lawmakers Advance Historic Bill To Form Reparations Commission.  Evanston Approves Reparations.
​
What Black Lives Matters really means.
Become a 21st Century Game Changer.
Know your rights when dealing with Law Enforcement.
2023 NAACP Scholarship Deadline
​March 2023

 Information Spotlight

Meet Evanston Police Chief Schenita Stewart


Wednesday, January 18 at 12:00 pm

Schenita Stewart was appointed Chief of Police of the Evanston Police Department (EPD) in October 2022. She brings 23 years of law enforcement experience. Chief Stewart embraces a strong commitment to teamwork and continually creates goals to help her people move forward. She demonstrates her commitment to lead by example while exhibiting a positive, patient, and professional attitude with all.

Black History Read-A-Thon

Evanston/North Shore Branch of the NAACP
Celebrates Black History Month
by reading to students at
Oakton Elementary School
436 Ridge Avenue, Evanston

New laws in Illinois 2023

Alongside SAFE-T Act and Workers Rights Amendment, new
Illinois laws address latex allergies, carjackings, miscarriages,
improvement to health care and more!
​More than 180 new laws are set to take effect on January 1, 2023, covering a range of issues big and small that affect
Illinoisans.
A complete list of all new Illinois laws taking effect next year can
be found here.

2023 Illinois Election Key Dates

January 19, 2023
Early Voting Begins
First day for early voting in the office of the election authority and in any additional locations that may have been designated by the election authority.
February 23, 2023
Last Day to Mail Vote by Mail ballots
Last day for the election authority to receive, by mail, an application for a vote by mail ballot and mail that ballot to the voter. 
February 27, 2023
Last Day for Early Voting
Last day for early voting for the 2023 Consolidated Primary Election.
February 28, 2023
Consolidated Primary Election
Date of the 2023 Consolidated Primary Election for units of government that hold this election. 

Student Debt Relief

STUDENT LOAN RELIEF APPLICATION NOW OPEN

The student loan relief application opened on October 17, 2022 and will be available through December 31, 2023. The application is available online, and for those unable to apply online, a paper version of the application form will be available soon.

The application is short and only requires basic information:
  • name,
  • birth date,
  • Social Security number,
  • phone number
  • e-mail address
#MeMinusStudentDebt

Racial Equity Survey - City of Evanston


The City of Evanston's Equity and Empowerment Commission is seeking community input on issues of racial injustice through its first-ever community racial equity survey. https://tinyurl.com/EECSurvey2022EN
La Comisión de Equidad y Empoderamiento de Evanston está buscando aportes de la comunidad sobre temas de injusticia racial a través de su primera encuesta comunitaria de equidad racial. https://tinyurl.com/EECSurvey2022SP 

FIRSTHAND: SEGREGATION  Launches Tuesday, February 22 
WTTW explores segregation in Chicago in a  documentary series, expert talks, text and visual  journalism and community discussions throughout 2022

Support Black Owned Businesses

If you are interested in working as a Contract Tracer please complete the IDPH Contact Tracing Interest Form. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is seeking interested individuals to support local public health authorities to perform COVID-19 contact tracing. 

NAACP
Evanston/North Shore Branch 
2010 Dewey Avenue #302A
Evanston, IL  60201
847-864-0038
Contact us: naacpev@gmail.com                 

NAACP
Evanston/North Shore Branch 
Home
About Us
 Branch Leadership
Mission and Vision
Standing Committees
Photo Gallery
NAACP National
Take Action
 Volunteer
Become A Member
Donate
Know Your Rights
Stop Hate Crime
Events
 Freedom Fund Banquet  
Scholarship Program
​National Convention
News
For Members
Contact Us
​
Proudly powered by Weebly