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NAACP names Cornell William Brooks as new president on Brown anniversary NAACP names Cornell William Brooks as new president on Brown anniversary
(about 1 hour later)
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has announced the appointment of a new president, marking Saturday's 60th anniversary of the landmark Brown vs Board of Education supreme court decision.The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has announced the appointment of a new president, marking Saturday's 60th anniversary of the landmark Brown vs Board of Education supreme court decision.
The announcement came two weeks after the organisation was drawn into the furore over Donald Sterling, the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers NBA franchise.The announcement came two weeks after the organisation was drawn into the furore over Donald Sterling, the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers NBA franchise.
Cornell William Brooks, a New Jersey lawyer and activist, will become the 18th NAACP national president, replacing Lorraine Miller, who has lead the organisation since Benjamin Jealous stepped down last year.Cornell William Brooks, a New Jersey lawyer and activist, will become the 18th NAACP national president, replacing Lorraine Miller, who has lead the organisation since Benjamin Jealous stepped down last year.
"As long as America continues to be a great but imperfect nation, there will be a need for the NAACP," Brooks said."As long as America continues to be a great but imperfect nation, there will be a need for the NAACP," Brooks said.
Earlier this month, a national scandal erupted over racist remarks made by Sterling in a recorded conversation. After cancelling a controversial plan to honour Sterling – who has been banned from the NBA for life and is under pressure to sell the Clippers – Leon Jenkins stepped down as leader of the NAACP's Los Angeles chapter.Earlier this month, a national scandal erupted over racist remarks made by Sterling in a recorded conversation. After cancelling a controversial plan to honour Sterling – who has been banned from the NBA for life and is under pressure to sell the Clippers – Leon Jenkins stepped down as leader of the NAACP's Los Angeles chapter.
On stepping down, Jenkins said: "The legacy, history and reputation of the NAACP is more important to me than the presidency. In order to separate the Los Angeles NAACP and the NAACP from the negative exposure I have caused … I respectfully resign my position as president of the Los Angeles NAACP.”On stepping down, Jenkins said: "The legacy, history and reputation of the NAACP is more important to me than the presidency. In order to separate the Los Angeles NAACP and the NAACP from the negative exposure I have caused … I respectfully resign my position as president of the Los Angeles NAACP.”
On Saturday, the US marked the 60th anniversary of Brown v Board of Education, which outlawed segregation in public schools. The 1954 lawsuit was argued by the NAACP's legal arm.On Saturday, the US marked the 60th anniversary of Brown v Board of Education, which outlawed segregation in public schools. The 1954 lawsuit was argued by the NAACP's legal arm.
President Barack Obama issued a tweet on the subject:
60 years after Brown v. Board, let's remember that while progress has never come easily, people who love their country can change it. -bo
On Friday the first lady, Michelle Obama, used a commencement speech to pupils in Topeka, Kansas to stress that in the 60 years since Brown, the US has not achieved true equality.On Friday the first lady, Michelle Obama, used a commencement speech to pupils in Topeka, Kansas to stress that in the 60 years since Brown, the US has not achieved true equality.
“Our laws may no longer separate us based on our skin colour,” Obama said, “but there’s nothing in our constitution that says we have to eat together in the lunchroom or live together in the same neighbourhoods.”“Our laws may no longer separate us based on our skin colour,” Obama said, “but there’s nothing in our constitution that says we have to eat together in the lunchroom or live together in the same neighbourhoods.”
The attorney general, Eric Holder, also spoke on Friday, marking the anniversary with a renewed plea for immigration reform. On Saturday, delivering a commencement address in Baltimore, he said that in some school districts "significant divisions persist and segregation has reoccurred".The attorney general, Eric Holder, also spoke on Friday, marking the anniversary with a renewed plea for immigration reform. On Saturday, delivering a commencement address in Baltimore, he said that in some school districts "significant divisions persist and segregation has reoccurred".
Holder also noted discipline policies that affect black males more than whites, and said the Justice Department was working to reduce racial disparities in sentencing.Holder also noted discipline policies that affect black males more than whites, and said the Justice Department was working to reduce racial disparities in sentencing.
The NAACP, which was founded in 1909, says it is the oldest and largest civil rights organisation in the US. Speaking to the Associated Press about his appointment, Brooks said: "I am deeply humbled and honoured to be entrusted with the opportunity to lead this powerful historic organisation.The NAACP, which was founded in 1909, says it is the oldest and largest civil rights organisation in the US. Speaking to the Associated Press about his appointment, Brooks said: "I am deeply humbled and honoured to be entrusted with the opportunity to lead this powerful historic organisation.
"In our fight to ensure voting rights, economic equality, health equity, and ending racial discrimination for all people, there is indeed much work to be done."In our fight to ensure voting rights, economic equality, health equity, and ending racial discrimination for all people, there is indeed much work to be done.
"As a graduate of both Head Start and Yale Law School, I am a beneficiary, an heir and a grandson if you will, of Brown vs Board of Education. My life is the direct product, if you will, of the legacy of the blood, sweat and tears of the NAACP.""As a graduate of both Head Start and Yale Law School, I am a beneficiary, an heir and a grandson if you will, of Brown vs Board of Education. My life is the direct product, if you will, of the legacy of the blood, sweat and tears of the NAACP."
Brooks, a minister, is currently president and chief executive of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice. He has worked as a lawyer for the Federal Communication Commission and the Justice Department and ran for Congress as a Democrat in Virginia in 1998.Brooks, a minister, is currently president and chief executive of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice. He has worked as a lawyer for the Federal Communication Commission and the Justice Department and ran for Congress as a Democrat in Virginia in 1998.
NAACP board chair Roslyn Brock told the Associated Press: "Mr Brooks is a pioneering lawyer and civil rights leader who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the association.NAACP board chair Roslyn Brock told the Associated Press: "Mr Brooks is a pioneering lawyer and civil rights leader who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the association.
“We look forward to leveraging his legal prowess, vision and leadership as we tackle the pressing civil rights issues of the 21st century.”“We look forward to leveraging his legal prowess, vision and leadership as we tackle the pressing civil rights issues of the 21st century.”
Brock said Brooks was selected from more than 450 applications, from which more than 30 interviews were held.Brock said Brooks was selected from more than 450 applications, from which more than 30 interviews were held.