From the New Harford Democratic Club:
MINUTES
July 1, 2015, 7pm
Aberdeen Holiday Inn Express
Welcome by President Johnson at 7:06pm
Pledge of Allegiance
Zilpha Smith, President of the Harford County branch NAACP, and Melvin Taylor, of the Aberdeen Board of Appeals, introduced as tonight’s speakers.
Treasurer’s report from George Harrison who stated the working account now totals $13, 183.95.
Motion to approve the minutes of the May meeting, seconded and approved unanimously.
Committee reports:
~ Art Helton, voter registration. Nothing to report at this time.
~ Andy Powell, Fund Raising: President Johnson reported that Andy is out of town but is planning a fund raiser at the American Legion, a Bull and Shrimp Roast in the early fall. Hoping to get a few good speakers. Details will be forthcoming.
~ Rosemarie Kelly, Membership: Completed the door hanger to be used for canvassing neighborhoods. She passed out a sign-up sheet for anyone willing to help.
~ George Harrison, Issues and Legislation: We are in the process of rebuilding our website which will allow us to have a platform on which to state our Democratic positions on various issues. Jack Barham will have that up and running shortly.
~ Jack Barham, Website: In the process of transferring NewharfordDemocraticClub.org to a new platform and we have added several other name addresses that will connect to the main site.
There was comment from the floor concerning inane statements from council members and we need to highlight those comments on our website.
President Johnson said we should have more people attending the council meetings and to make comments countering some of the nonsense coming from the Republicans.
President Johnson introduced Zilpha Smith, head of the Harford County NAACP. She gave an overview of the organization’s activities. She noted the NAACP is non-partisan and do not endorse any candidate nor support any candidate. The mission of the NAACP is political education and to assure there is no discrimination based on race in the political process. She recounted some of the history of the county organization. She said the Harford branch was the only state branch to receive a centennial charter from the national organization. Discussed relationships with other county organizations, including the Sheriff’s Department and the Aberdeen Police in order to resolve any issues that impact county residents. The group also provides scholarships to Harford Community College and has been active in voter registration. She also noted that the NAACP is actively seeking candidates to run for office and for persons interested in sitting on county and state boards and commissions. As a result of the incident in South Carolina, the group is putting together a committee to discuss racism. The Harford branch also was active in getting the death sentenced repealed. The national organization has advised that they also wish to concentrate on Economics, health, public space, criminal justice, voting rights and political representation.
Her presentation was followed by a question and answer session with the audience.
President Johnson then introduced Melvin Taylor, who is a candidate for Aberdeen City Council, who discussed his activities with the community and what he would to see happen in Aberdeen. He discussed his growing up Harford County, going to school here, and his activities doing missionary work with his church. He then decided that he needed to do more for his home community and agreed to serve on the Aberdeen Board of Appeals for the past three years. He feels he can be influential in moving Aberdeen forward over the next few years.
Following his presentation there was an extended question and answer session pertaining to issues in Aberdeen.
President Johnson thanked everyone for their comments and adjourned the meeting.
Submitted by, George Harrison, acting Secretary.
I hope the NAACP succeeds in their goal of equality, and I hope it works both ways. I’d hate to see a person of color denied anything based on color, and I’d also hate to see someone of non-color denied based on non-color.
p.s…..I guess “colored people” is an OK term, since it’s part of the NAACP. It’s often difficult to stay politically correct, because people change what they want or don’t want to be called without telling us.
I definitely agree with your P.S. as I remember the NAACP specifically wanting for people of color to be referred to as “African Americans”. Recently, they have changed this and have claimed their own mandate was something that they didn’t choose and that they found it to be unacceptable or even racially incorrect.
It is about time for them to get a new name. The “CP” part seems a little dated, but even the second “A” seems a little antagonistic to me. Promoting the advancement of any one particular group just seems to further alienate them from all the others. We’re all supposed to get along equally, right?
By the way, I have seen some video of the Rally in South Carolina that was intended to be a CELEBRATION of removing the Confederate Flag. Its very hypocritical to have an event of this nature while participants are waving the Black Power flags. The green, black and red should not have been there. Nor should the green, black and yellow. However, they were there being waived just as proudly as a lot of South Carolinians wave the Confederate Navy Jack. The meanings are similar, yet in reverse. Just food for thought……
I hope everyone is sitting down but I completely agree with the SoulCrusher on this one.
I WAS sitting down…but I still fell out of my chair!
“~ Art Helton, voter registration. Nothing to report at this time.”
I guess that means Art didn’t register to vote in ANOTHER district since the last meeting.
Good one Joe!!!!!!! its always good when audacious insanity is challenged. Its too bad that its not done enough in Hilary’s and BO’s case.
I recently watched the news and saw the “spineless” Martin O’Malley addressing a group where he initially made the comment that “all lives matter” and was basically heckled off of the platform. He later apologized for including groups other than blacks in his comments. I am appealing to a highly respected group such as the NAACP to explain what was wrong with O’Malley’s initial comments. Why were the comments offensive and why was he heckled and compelled to make his spineless retraction. I agree that all lives matter. I don’t understand why any one who was truly interested in moving towards a peaceful and harmonious society would have a problem with that statement. Also I agree that black lives matter. What I don’t understand is why so many black people continue to kill so many of their own with such an alarming frequency. While on the topic can I please get a reasonable explanation regarding the use of the “N” word. I realize that this word is extremely offensive to so many. What steps have or are being taken to eradicate this word from society. I can go to any playground, basketball court, or street corner and hear that word being used 50 times. By the way, the users are young black people. Why do so many rap songs include that word? Can some one please give me a logical explanation why this occurs and how allowing it to occur helps the situation.
I think you’ve touched on something very important…
It seems that our culture is struggling with independent, critical thought and instead, latches onto slogans and brands to form their identities and beliefs. Of course, black lives matter. Not because it is a rallying cry that looks good on a tee shirt, but because it is the truth.
…. the world will be a better place when instead we realize that all lives matter…. deeply.
Martin took what could have been a chance to make a vibrant point…. and flushed it.