Pandemic Relief and the Georgia Elections
By Ben Jealous
Fair warning: this isn’t a traditional Christmas-week column.
If we think of clarity as a kind of gift,...
With the recent resignation of NAACP President Ben Jealous (pictured), the organization finds itself looking for new leadership. In the organization's 104-year history,...
In a surprise move, NAACP President Benjamin Jealous, 40, has announced that he is stepping down from the position in January, 2014, reports USA Today. “Leadership knows when to step up and when to step down,” Jealous said. “This day I can say with pride that I’m prepared to step down and make room for the next person who will lead this organization to its next chapter.” Citing family reasons, Jealous said that his high-profile career has caused him to sacrifice time with his wife, Lia Epperson, and children, daughter Morgan, 7, and Jack, 13 months, and that is something that he intends to change. Still, the hum of the civil rights movement still courses through Jealous’ veins: “I’m really going to miss the street fights we’ve been in.” Read more from USA Today: The civil rights leader said he’s satisfied that he will leave an organization in much better condition than it was when he took over five years ago. Back then, the Baltimore-based civil rights group was financially shaky a ...
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder faces a tough decision as civil rights group petition the Department of Justice to press federal civil rights charges against George Zimmerman, 29, who was found “not guilty” on second-degree murder and manslaughter charges Saturday night by a jury of 6 women — 5 white and one Hispanic — for the Feb. 26, 2012 killing of unarmed Black teen, Trayvon Martin. NAACP President Ben Jealous released a statement making it plain that we are “not done demanding justice for Trayvon Martin”: “The most fundamental of civil rights—the right to life—was violated the night George Zimmerman stalked and then took the life of Trayvon Martin. We ask that the Department of Justice file civil rights charges against Mr. Zimmerman for this egregious violation,” said the NAACP in a petition released Saturday night. “Please address the travesties of the tragic death of Trayvon Martin by acting today.” On CNN Sunday, Rev. Jesse Jackson called the verdict “Old South justice” and ...
