By Patricia Morris
The late Civil Rights Leaders Dorothy Heights and Dr. Benjamin Hooks said during their lifetimes respectively, "If the times aren't ripe, you have to ripen them, and "The Civil Rights Movement is not dead; if anyone thinks that we are going to stop agitating, they had better think again."
We refer to what is happening in this school system, and happening to some of the citizens in Tangipahoa Parish. This organization has been manning calls from across Tangipahoa Parish on things ranging from the school board election to the lateral transfers of two principals, to Hammond High's principal, Carmon Moore's sabbactical leave and retirement. While we wish Mr. Moore much success in his leave and retirement, we must emphatically deny the rumors being spread by some on the school board that his retirement and leave is being caused by the NAACP.
While it is not known why these allegations are surfacing, the integrity of this organization is too significant to do something that would degrade what has been accomplished in this fight thus far, not to mention the support of citizens, black and white, in Tangipahoa Parish and across Louisiana and this country. It would seem especially poignant that we have fought to see positive changes happen in this school system for all, and do want the best in order that this tireless effort will come to full fruition for all students in this school system in equitably seeing a fundamental and fair education is given to every student in this school system. We cannot afford to do otherwise, lest we continue to remain near the bottom of all school systems in Louisiana, and yes, across this country.
As an NAACP President overseeing members' concerns, as well as non-members' concerns, I realize successful leadership is almost always organic and depends on signals and energy that are born in the streets and polished in the legislatures and boardrooms where passionate calls for change are negotiated into policy. The achievements made thus far, and those to follow will leave a glorious generation of students, black and white, who will have the ability to compete in this continuing globalizing society. We do well to emulate the skills that will come from the greatness of those individuals who will work hard to see this positive change happen.
Therefore, this being said, it is a moot point to run rumor and conjecture, but to stay focused on what is to come, rather than what is maliciously being thrown to thwart efforts done to make the schools in Tangipahoa Parish the best we can offer, whether via Charter Schools or Public Schools. Something must be done, and we do support those positive things that will make an ultimate difference in the lives of every child in Tangipahoa Parish.