Political Action Committee [2 of 2]

              NAACP OFFICIAL
ADDRESSES
SOUTHERN BLACK
DEMOCRATS AT
SUMMIT MEETING
Earl T. Shinhoster, NAACP Southeast
Regional Director, told an assembly of
southern black democrat leaders that the
new wave of harassment of black elected
officials is misguided and called upon
them to assist the NAACP in compiling
factual data to prove that black leaders
are being targeted inappropriately.
"We appeal to you as leaders in your
communities and political leaders in
your areas to assist us by providing us
with information on specific allegations
of public corruption and criminal misconduct against black elected officials,
stemming from the conduct of their
office," Shinhoster stated.
A preliminary investigation of black
elected officials by the NAACP revealed
that "black elected officials as a group
are not engaged in widespread criminal
activity," Shinhoster said. "However, a
few widely reported cases in the media
have tended to cast a negative image on
black politicians and threatens the institution of black politics."
Shinhoster said the media has fabricated stories on black elected officials
under investigation for misconduct. "In
every major city in this region and in
many rural areas, allegations, indictments, trials and convictions of black
elected officials have been found in print
and electronic media, in the usual worst
way."
Quoting from a study titled "Harassment of Black Elected Officials: Ten
Years Later," which was conducted by
Dr. Mary Sawyers, Shinhoster said, "The
incidence of black officials finding them-
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4
NAACP REMEMBERS KING
DURING CELEBRATION
(continued from p. 1)
which are nothing more than a thinly-veiled attempt to purge black voters from the
registration rolls.
"We also have to be concerned about the campaign to discredit and harass black
elected officials through trumped-up charges we are seeing around the country. This is
related to the rising tide of incidents of racial violence on campuses and communities
throughout the nation.
"We can't tolerate these tactics. Too many of our brothers and sisters have suffered,
bled and died for our citizenship rights. We owe them a debt so precious that it
can never be repaid. At the very least, we have to increase our vigilance against racial
violence, harassment and all attempts to dilute and obstruct black and minority political power.
"We must also face up to our responsibility to do a better job of exercising our voting rights. The low voter turnout rates of recent years are an indictment not of the
Constitution, but of the political illiteracy and apathy of millions of American voters of
all races. Something is very wrong when a majority of American voters does not even
bother to cast their ballots, as so often happens in off-year elections.
"Thanks to the leadership of the NAACP and other black organizations, we have seen
a dramatic increase in the number of black elected officials in recent years. But black
office holders are still less than 2 percent of all elected officials even though we are
more than 12 percent of the population. It seems hard to believe that in 1987 only one
black woman sits among the 535 members of the United States Congress.
"To help rectify this injustice, we have to make a greater effort to campaign more
vigorously for election law reforms and take full advantage of existing laws. This means
utilizing every possible opportunity to set up voter registration tables in our churches,
temples and schools, at concerts and athletic events, in our places of employment, as
well as in unemployment offices and other social service agencies, to name just a few.
"The variety of creative voter registration tactics we can employ is limited only by
our imaginations	
"Each black organization must make it a point of honor to secure a significant
increase in the number of people it registers and helps get to the polls. As Martin
Luther King, Jr. said, we must make politics a crusade and we should create a climate
of scorn for those who don't care enough to vote. I'm glad that black organizations are
helping young people get tough on drugs. But I think we need to get tough about the
ballot as well.
"In the 1980s we have heard a lot of preaching from both black and white leaders
about the importance of self-help to the black community. Of course, there is nothing
new about the gospel of self-help. It's always been an important part of our agenda. But
let's be clear that the number one priority on any realistic agenda of self-help is political empowerment.
"When we talk about fighting unemployment and poverty and the disintegration of
black families, we are talking about political empowerment. When we talk about eradicating apartheid abroad and the rising tide of racism here at home, we are talking
about political empowerment. When we talk about decent housing and education
opportunities and doing something about the disgraceful infant mortality rate in the
black community, we are talking about political empowerment.
"I'm not saying political empowerment is the only approach to solving the complex
problems we are facing in black America. But I'm saying that we can't do it without
greater political empowerment. If we don't use the ballot, we can't expect the politicians to serve our interests. That's why we have to start organizing now for a record
level black voter turnout in the 1988 presidential elections.
"Some 22 years ago, back in 1965 we heard a voice on the steps of the state capitol
in Montgomery, Alabama. We had just completed an historic march for voting rights,
all the way from Selma. And on those steps we heard the clear voice of a prophet who
urged us to march like Joshua and stride toward freedom.
"And the prophet provided us with a mighty example which awakened the long-
slumbering conscience of his nation, a magnificent dream of brotherhood and equality
that will inspire future generations for as long as people seek the light of truth, the
bread of justice and the sweet song of freedom."
"Give us the ballot and we mill change the course
of this nation." _ Manin Luther Kin& Jr 1963