Surprising Honor
I recently had the incredible experience of attending the Centennial NAACP Convention. Although we had planned for our staff member in Abuja, Nigeria to be teleconferenced in as a panelist for the Youth Night meeting entitled, “Not on Our Watch,” her audio wasn’t coming in strong, so they asked me to step in at the last minute as a panelist. Fortunately, I had prepared for this circumstance, but as they slipped a microphone over my ear, the full magnitude of the experience hit me.
During the NAACP’s 100 year history, it has helped to achieve tremendous gains in ensuring political, educational, social and economic rights for all Americans. While speaking to a crowd of 1,500 of the most politically engaged youth in America, I highlighted how today’s youth activists are working together to heighten awareness of extreme poverty and preventable disease on a global scale. All of the panelists spoke about how youth can play an instrumental role in tackling today’s issues and challenges by learning more, educating their friends and neighbors, and communicating with their elected officials.
It was truly an honor to speak before so many dedicated community leaders. The historic proportions of that night made me wonder what achievements another group of like-minded activists would be celebrating in another hundred years.
-Ranna Lanagan
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July 28, 2009 at 10:46 am
Lovely report, Ranna. I really appreciate the depth of your sensitivity to and your respect for those gathered at the NAACP convention.
The historical struggle of African-American people for freedom and for economic self-sufficiency runs parallel to what the international movement to end AIDS & extreme poverty does. So this is a natural connection for ONE to make & to keep re-inforcing through the years.
It sounds like you did an awesome job. Thanks so much.
ALWAYS FOREVER, ONE – debbie
http://www.myspace.com/mulago
July 28, 2009 at 9:43 pm
Oh my.