Lost Password? Register
  • Narrow screen resolution
  • Wide screen resolution
  • Auto width resolution
  • Increase font size
  • Decrease font size
  • Default font size
  • default color
  • red color
  • green color

Brevard Ebony News

Monday
Sep 06th
Home arrow The News arrow Freedom Fund and Awards Banquet
Freedom Fund and Awards Banquet Print E-mail
Tuesday, 09 December 2008

South Brevard Branch, NAACP

By Michael Bouvier

The NAACP South Brevard Branch hosted their annual Freedom Fund and Awards Banquet at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place November 8, 2008. Dr. J. Otis Cochran, a retired Yale University Law Professor gave the keynote speech.

In an interview before the banquet, Dr. Cochran was asked about the changes from his early days as a law student to today's election of a black law professor as United States President. Dr. Cochran noted that in 1968, when he started his law students, Robert Kennedy, in a memorial service for Dr. Martin Luther King, said that in forty years a black man could become president of the United States. “That was prophetic, because exactly forty years later we have a President-Elect who is an African American.”

Ms. Teri Jones, South Brevard Branch Executive Committee member, gave a short presentation reflecting on the election night celebration in Grant Park, Chicago. “Four hundred years ago, a black man had no future in America....A black man existed in a perpetual state of fear.... Black America has emerged as a stronger race of people because of our trials and tribulations....Although it is a black American who stands before us as the nation's forty-fourth President, it is the entire America he represents.”

Even thought he had an activist history, while teaching law students in Tennessee, he was cautious, with his statements. A student advised him “Professor, you might as well fly your colors.” He spoke freely then.

Addressing racism, Dr. Cochran reviewed opposition to integration of schools. That might lead to all sorts of problems in society. It might even lead to interracial dating and interracial marriage. “That will lead to interracial children. Now over a half-century later we have an answer. One has now become President of the United States.”

“Let's look at militarism for a moment.... Talking about the Iraqi war, my twelve year old grandson asked me recently 'How can we talk about winning when the truth is that when the first of our soldiers died, we lost.'”

The challenge for today for the NAACP is to go beyond the racial struggle to the broader struggle of all people for peace and equality of opportunity.... Our cause is the advancement of all people, the common people.”

He addressed the evils of materialism, a disordered attitude to things of this world. Poverty has grown since the War on Poverty. Most of those poor people are in working families. “The typical skilled worker still does not earn a living wage. Where is the justice?”

Just like we did in the unjust war in Vietnam, we are squandering precious resources on the war in Iraq. “Our nation continues to  resort to guns and violence... instead of using the power of non-violence.” He cited health care and education as prime targets needing attention. He asked if a nation that produces hunger and homelessness needs to be changed. “I for one believe we must take steps to change our society.”

In his conclusion, Dr. Cochran urged his audience to “Fly your colors. It ain't over yet.”

Several elected officials attended from Brevard County and local cities. These included judges, a mayor, tax collector and several council persons.

Branch President Charles Favors thanked Dr. Cochran and with Teri Jones distributed awards to individuals, companies and groups.
 
< Prev   Next >
[ Back ]

Latest Comments

Could Earthships be the future...
I want one!
If they had some of these houses in Florida, i would definit...
More...

Polls

Which is accepted more in American Society?
 

Who's Online

We have 4 guests online