Voice of the Mid-Columbia | Kennewick, Pasco and Richland, Wash. |
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closeMonday, Mar. 16, 2009
Pasco chapter to play host to NAACP conference
By Joe Chapman, Herald staff writer
The old Benton-Franklin chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is just a few weeks into restarting after 12 years of dormancy, but already it's gotten the attention of the regional organization.
The Alaska, Oregon & Washington State Area of the NAACP chose to have its spring conference in Pasco this week, hoping to capitalize on the new chapter's momentum.
"What I've heard up here in the Seattle area is that was a very active branch at one certain time," said Oscar Eason Jr., area NAACP president. "So we thought, OK, let's reactivate the branch, and at the same time let's hold our spring meeting there."
The conference will be Friday through Sunday at Columbia Basin College. It's expected to draw 75 to 100 delegates and observers to the Tri-Cities.
Workshops will provide information on issues relevant to civil rights and the black community today, such as equity in education, equal opportunities in employment, religion's place in social justice and dealing with the home foreclosure crisis.
The conference is open to the public. For registration information, call 206-854-5507.
"We're glad to be able to come to Pasco," said Eason, who along with members of the NAACP area's executive committee met with organizers of the local chapter in the Tri-Cities about three weeks ago.
"I haven't spent that much time in that part of the state. ... I met a lot of nice people over there, and you have a lot of issues, a lot of concerns in that area," he said.
Conference organizers lined up two figures from the Tri-Cities to give the main addresses.
Edgar Hargrow, a community leader and motivational speaker, will give a speech during a noon lunch on Saturday. Herald Publisher Rufus Friday will speak during the banquet from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday.
As a conservative who has repeatedly turned down invitations to join the NAACP, Friday may not have been an obvious choice to participate in the conference.
He grew up in North Carolina, experienced discrimination just as many other blacks did, and worked at several Southern newspapers before relocating to the Northwest.
But the NAACP's focus has been too narrow for his mindset, he said. He said he hopes the organization won't look for entitlements from government and will expand its scope to include the interests of minorities across the board.
Zelma Jackson, interim chairwoman of the local chapter, encouraged him to bring the message he felt compared to share and not worry about stepping on toes. Friday said he considered the invitation for a couple of weeks and then accepted.
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