NAACP Looks for New President and Direction…

From the Baltimore Sun on the NAACP:

The board is expected to convene in a series of closed-door meetings without a clear consensus on the candidate. The climate will be vastly different from the board’s unanimous approval of former President and CEO Bruce S. Gordon in the summer of 2005. The former Verizon executive came to the organization amid fanfare and a hope that he could help boost its lagging fundraising. But Gordon clashed with board members over the group’s vision and civil rights tactics, leaving suddenly in March 2007, after less than two years at the helm.

It’s time for our Civil Rights groups to take advantage of some of the great young black talent in America. While the NAACP is probably positioned the best to function in the information age, most like the National Urban League, are still functioning much like they did back in the 60’s. Our Civil Rights organizations need to start embracing social networking sites,blogs, and the rest of Web 2.0’s new advancements because that is where the youth are. That is also where their future is. If they want an example, they just need to go over to Barack Obama’s website. He is giving a masterclass on mobilizing in the internet age. I hope that in choosing a new president. the NAACP will chose a young visionary that understands the “facebook” dynamic, and not just another civil rights throwback. BTW, how about a woman? Someone like Dr. Julianne Malveaux perhaps? Just a thought…