Catholic U. Won't Recognize NAACP Chapter
Sat Jun 5, 5:16 PM ET Add U.S. National - AP to My Yahoo!
By CANDACE SMITH, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - The president of the NAACP is criticizing a decision by Catholic University of America not to recognize a chapter of the civil rights group on campus. "It is outright discrimination and intolerance all rolled into one," NAACP President Kweisi Mfume said Friday, just outside the campus and surrounded by about 20 activists and student chapter leaders from other universities.
He said it was the first time in decades that a university had not allowed a student chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (news - web sites). He threatened to **** if the group was unable to come to an agreement with the Roman Catholic university.
The university rejected a student's attempt to start a chapter in April on the ground that the campus already had two groups that represent black students: the Black Organization of Students at Catholic University of America and Minority Voices, an umbrella group for minority organizations.
"He did not demonstrate in the view of university officials ... that this chapter of the NAACP would fill a need that isn't already being met by organizations in existence," said Victor Nakas, university spokesman.
William Jawando, 21, who tried to start the chapter, dismissed the school's reasoning, saying there are no civil rights groups on campus.
"I think they're scared of the NAACP name and protests," said Jawando, a recent undergraduate, who will attend the university's law school in the fall.
School administrators also raised concern about the group's support of the April 25 "March for Women's Lives," an **** rights rally. Nakas said student groups are not allowed to advocate positions that are contrary to the teachings of the church, which opposes ****. But he said that was not the main reason for rejecting the NAACP chapter.
Official NAACP policy does not take a side in the **** debate, Mfume said.
Nakas said the university's president, the Rev. David M. O'Connell, hopes to meet with Mfume next week. University officials plan to meet with students interested in the issue this fall. Jawando said about 30 students were committed to joining the campus group.
The NAACP has chapters at 150 colleges, including Georgetown, Fordham and St. John's universities and Trinity College — all Catholic schools.
The university rejected a student's attempt to start a chapter in April on the ground that the campus already had two groups that represent black students: the Black Organization of Students at Catholic University of America and Minority Voices, an umbrella group for minority organizations.
See, I highly doubt they have "one of everything" as far as other organizations go....Since time could tell, there has always been some sort of fear and/or discomfort about groups of Black people forming groups like that...especially political...."God forbid the Black people actually say something for themselves" :evil: ......
And they ask if HBCUs need to exist :x :roll:
sorry to say, but i'm not surprised. CUA is my college's sister school and even tho they have a considerable african-american population (small, but considerable) they still feel that the minorities are well represented when it comes to the extracurriculars. but ahhhh i've never really liked CUA so it dont matta. step the game up CU, step it up
I use to live just a couple blocks down from Catholic U myself, and my childhood friend goes there now.
I agree, it's a shame, especially when you look at the grounds that they made their refusal on "the campus already had two groups that represent black students" :roll:. God forbid they have multiple orginizations that band together to tackle the issues of race relations at thier institution. Jawando may have a point when he says that Catholic U may be scared of the NAACP name and protests... What other reasons would their be to deny them?
Maybe it's a question of relevancy?
If they already have a "Black Organization of Students" then how is that organization different from the NAACP? Does the NAACP bring anything new to the table? Perhaps they should use the other organization as a conduit to conduct business in the manner of the NAACP.
The student who wishes to bring a chapter to the school, isn't he going to graduate soon? Will the chapter stay relevant after he leaves (law school does not allow you time to push that type of agenda)? Is the NAACP doing what it's supposed to do on a national level? How can that guarantee they will be relevant on that local chapter level? Why should they further divide the student activity money?
Furthermore, why spend all of your hard earned money to go and embrace a white religious college and then try to force a "black" agenda on them. When the white students say they want a college chapter of the **** Knights or the Ku Klux **** are you going to deny them to?
I'll playing devil's advocate here. . .
Maybe it's a question of relevancy?
If they already have a "Black Organization of Students" then how is that organization different from the NAACP? Does the NAACP bring anything new to the table? Perhaps they should use the other organization as a conduit to conduct business in the manner of the NAACP.
The student who wishes to bring a chapter to the school, isn't he going to graduate soon? Will the chapter stay relevant after he leaves (law school does not allow you time to push that type of agenda)? Is the NAACP doing what it's supposed to do on a national level? How can that guarantee they will be relevant on that local chapter level? Why should they further divide the student activity money?
Furthermore, why spend all of your hard earned money to go and embrace a white religious college and then try to force a "black" agenda on them. When the white students say they want a college chapter of the **** Knights or the Ku Klux **** are you going to deny them to?
I'll playing devil's advocate here. . .
These are some extremely valid points. Its funny because I realized you were playing devil's advocate before I saw u mention it at the bottom. Even though I acknowledge the validity of your points, i'm sure you understand that these organizations need to primarily be in schools such as these where there is an actual need for them. If there are internal issues within themselves then of course its up to the NAACP/us to resolve them. That is a very good point about the organizations such as the **** and **** Knights, and to be honest we all know they already do, they are just more covert about it. Good argument...
(i need to start politiking again... its been a while :? )
Some people can't tell sarcasm, satire or counterpoints. Glad you have some insight monkrenny.
But as I said before, if they already have a Black Student Organization, then why do they need the NAACP? NAACP don't march no mo! You didn't get the email?
Ohhh, I get it they need the NAACP to watchdog the racist campus president, the racist SGA, the racist trustees, the racist faculy senate, and the racist groundskeepers. Cuz you know when the groundskeepers get going, it's hell for you niggers to pay! They will chop you off by the ankles with them weed wackers. They don't PLAY!
Some people can't tell sarcasm, satire or counterpoints. Glad you have some insight monkrenny.
But as I said before, if they already have a Black Student Organization, then why do they need the NAACP? NAACP don't march no mo! You didn't get the email?
Ohhh, I get it they need the NAACP to watchdog the racist campus president, the racist SGA, the racist trustees, the racist faculy senate, and the racist groundskeepers. Cuz you know when the groundskeepers get going, it's hell for you niggers to pay! They will chop you off by the ankles with them weed wackers. They don't PLAY!
LOL, I know where your coming from and historically i have mixed feelings about the NAACP and their stance throughout the years. Outside of Jawanza they have been fairly quiet in my opinion over the last couple of years. However, one major advantage of having them on that campus is that now u have an organization on campus under a larger national umbrella. What that umbrella protects us from and how it covers us is another story :? .
