To the Editor:
The New York Times distinguished itself from most major media by virtually ignoring the 100th anniversary of the N.A.A.C.P., which was started in New York by a fascinating multiracial group of radicals like Oswald Garrison Villard, W. E. B. Du Bois and Ida B. Wells.
When The Times finally did send a reporter to cover the speech by President Obama, the resulting article (“Obama Gives Fiery Address at N.A.A.C.P.,” July 17) focused on personal responsibility. But that was the least prominent part of Mr. Obama’s speech.
What was noteworthy was his discussion of racial disparities, the barriers facing African-Americans and the policies to redress social gaps.
This is a theme President Obama has rarely spoken about with such depth.
Urging personal responsibility in our communities is as traditional as shouting “Amen!” to the preacher’s sermon in black churches and civic organizations.
What is new is the president’s forceful articulation of the disparities we fight every day. Personal responsibility will not remove the barriers that a legacy of racism and exclusion has left for millions of African-Americans.
The familiar refrain of personal responsibility—an important issue in any community and articulated by black preachers long before Mr. Obama—is an old story and standard fare.
Leila McDowell
V.P., Communications, N.A.A.C.P.
Washington, July 20, 2009
Note from KBJ: Barriers can be overcome. Hasn't Barack Obama proved that? Hasn't Clarence Thomas proved it? Hasn't Sonia Sotomayor proved it? The key is personal responsibility. As long as blacks are encouraged by the likes of Leila McDowell to think of themselves as victims (which incidentally keeps the N.A.A.C.P. in business), they will never accomplish what they are capable of accomplishing.
Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D. 