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" Next week's NAACP convention marks an important milestone because it's also a celebration of the organization's 100 anniversary. It was founded in Manhattan in 1909 by a multi racial group of citizens with the goal of eliminating discrimination by. Insuring the political educational civil. And economic rights of all people. Hazel N dukes is the president of the New York State conference of the NAACP. And she's a member of the NAACP. National board of directors she's. Served as its national president from 1990 to 1992. And she joins -- and talk about the history of the national association for the advancement of colored people. Its Centennial celebration and convention in New York next weekend. What rule in May play in the post Obama America welcome to show. Thank you so much. The election of Barack Obama's president of the United States marks major victory for equal rights in this country and he speaking at the conference next Thursday some argue that. It has made civil rights groups irrelevant what's your response to those people who says that this that this election indicates that we live in post racial society."

" Well -- I think that people who have not violent history. Would believed act."

" You mentioned we were founded here in new -- nineteen on an."

" I would not seat here and tell you things to. That had not changed luck changed and read -- I could just -- queue for hours to teach you things that have changed."

" But I also have to remand. Listeners."

" Yes. That's wow what BBA's. Bold dreams big big trees. People who will not be celebrating. This one and you because they passed owned. They dreamed that we could come to this stay Monday with a keen dreamed that there we -- if you shoot in his speech it was a dream. Yes we did some of that dream. In his. 100 years now we've. -- beach east but yet. There east deal segregation. And racism and a different one in New York today. And not only new -- in this country who we don't have quality education. Public. --"

" Quality education where all of Americans are not the issue of health care quality health care."

" Quinn there are people who are able bodied didn't want the job. This was before the crises. The economic crises we didn't have -- And now they -- boot to. Some of the day. Hot ash. And ancient. Mocks batting you she. -- give -- because he was doing voter registration in the course."

" Sweeney Jordan they were keel because it would helping people understand the political system Emmett Till -- co -- just with just 1180."

" So yes we we. It's not. As cost. But we -- sports com and G James Byrd and checks it's happened so yes -- do in this hundred years. Things have began to come together -- renewed look at America today. The reason we steal round and we'll have to be around -- number sent -- because we have not -- Embraced the constitution now we do you because it to constitutions at all me so we have fought and women and included. It in and in the composition. On that you look at but not only equal level in -- what we're saying even now with the first Hispanic woman. Being. Select it back -- President Obama to Gold Coast. He is trying to do with the constitution say as -- can be an inclusive he's going Indian. All of the race is all of the people and so now we have people who steal do not want it to happen."

" Now I mean the NAACP was founded in New York City. Is the fact that took place here significant."

" Absolutely it's very significant because. New York is -- melting point."

" I mean people come here. Well it -- an in apps for cool that it was born in the care being deliberately was born in Russia."

" So we have a 158. Different languages here analyses."

" But the founders were mostly white liberals well they WEB du -- the only African American was given a leadership position."

" At that time yes but that was of hungry -- At that time and so from that we've had a lot of breakthroughs so -- you read the it was dreams at that time. But don't always told us -- the 21 century steel race would be an issue. And it turns out to be and is sure no was a mission statement issued at times. And guess what is really -- raked in just about lynch and Witten but maybe -- in a radio. What was going on his Springfield. That's when he called the group to get that would just seeing Willie wasn't seen because one television antenna. There we hearing and it -- so many people was found hanging in from the -- the and showed it was gruesome you know and so they -- They called it. And gabbana call interracial they have blacks and whites. People of different races could come together to address a humor me they would talk -- at that time was talking about. The human social at. What they were here. And how."

" Did they and they make an immediate impressions did you pay people pay attention all over the country."

" Not really. You know the biggest fight was to get. The part of America reached consist of Alabama Mississippi. Georgia. Most places to understand what it was eighty. Because those persons hair -- Jim bankroll. Moles that that was inhumane treated people of different color. More than human beings when you paid the same price but you could going to -- go. He played the same price which -- couldn't sit on the still yet to take an hour you get in the back the same price with -- science is. Color restroom quite racial group."

" Plus because of plessy versus Ferguson separate but equal absolute and that was one of the the major. Breakthroughs and among the major goals of the NAACP fearless attitude to finally get that thrown out it took a long long long time over half century."

" Absolutely and the same thing -- Public transportation. Would red mountain is just talks that. It was not just that day is had been going on for years. In it didn't stop just at. But when Americans black and white. -- attack came together. And put pressure. Own congress on the -- the United States we begin to see Laos."

" My guest is hazel dukes who is the president of the New York State conference for the NAACP. We are about to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the NAACP. In many movements like the women's movement in the gay rights movement the generational shift seems to happen between the old guard in the younger activists. And the same sort of things happen with the NAACP hasn't it. And and that became really apparent when Benjamin Jealous was named president in 2000 any because. His youngest person ever."

" Hold office absolutely. At building you mentioned the women rights and gay rights movement. I want you to know that each of those groups have used tactic. Can strategy NAACP. Has been so obsessed sex or -- I didn't gaining on lawless and and and changing. -- two -- I'm not attitudes are changing the way. Just politicians. Listen to Asians and getting legislation done."

" Although there has been some tension over the years there were people. In the past team black activists who felt that. The women's movement was a distraction because -- the important thing was the empowerment. A black men. And some people. And then more recently we've seen this of people say that gay rights has nothing to do with civil rights. And some people feel it's again a distraction from the goals of some of the the African American civil rights groups."

" I don't I don't feel badly personally. I believed that person's have a right to choose this lifestyle. Believe you get people had -- right. Believed that women have a right to -- Qiyue. And let America be com get it to embrace everyone equally. -- lab -- continue. Because."

" If you look at. History you look at corporate America you look at."

" Even non profit groups you've fat and it may yet -- it's always at the Helm."

" But if you look at the work. Would make it successful it's a women."

" That doing so I don't let you women from let's say hey let me also be able to beat they'll present did all of -- ball BankAmerica let me be the president did and she exit officer lobe of IBM and Xerox. I think it would we received education. Would we have proven out of self. Why is not the Korean out of the air force women to come to the top. I'm sure you wanna be the head of Xerox's accompany answers true love not one but I'm just using bed at. Are there other. American Express they bid bid of big companies and women who played in women. Vice presidents they so when you have opening flatten out of women being considered. To have it PepsiCo PepsiCo India and that so -- but it's a long time coming."

" Well in the case of Benjamin Jealous. We have an age issue and and his selection was considerably controversial at the time. Does that reflect some kind of generation gap do you think we can do you think the young people appreciate. How your generation and previous generations had to struggle for things that they take for granted well."

" I -- should add to race. If they have a chance to be educated."

" Own issues. What happened in the past Italy's -- PG they do appreciate. But for young people who never hear a discussion on the dinner table."

" Never hear -- classroom."

" Given suburban areas where it was attacked and it was litany of why. That didn't have it should be a big bet Whitney Hugh about it that's hopeful he'd had happened. I'll be in a new age now you know everybody is audience in the head and and and not speaking to 81 so."

" Yes if you don't trained him. It compensation UP you don't when I have compensation would young people."

" And chilled them about the stroke so look for an amber hurt it in -- they've heard recently. After that the court in the -- nabbed a -- in the mom. But before the end nobody talked bad lecture about sort -- fifteen years old eighteen years old now. With saying you do you were talking about. Something from. At least -- just sitting and talking about -- ever since Andrew young men and and."

" They may have heard from Martin Luther King they -- that yes just of the fact that the phrase colored people is part of the organization's name points to. A big gap between the very Christian knows have been a part of that NWO."

" No. The reason under the royal we don't condone the big debate about changing your name. 100 years previous Supreme Court. -- the federal court which the state courts here in -- double ACP. Can respect come with it. And we did it because we do communal college you know and because what I'm take -- one of slalom god. I love roses but not a war all roses in my garden -- make it beautiful. When I make a Shalit I include just an addition to leaders and I put lube. Pickles in it a little. -- with color in it and to know what would that make it colorful and so America. Is not black golf what. America because it's consists of people in different colors because all of the speaking so of the costs of via. Family background so we've been proud to say we of the national association for the advancement. Of colored people in the -- and black. And -- said Hispanic and there was an Asian it's it for the advancement -- but in all of its people fallen a bit and I want it."

" And and the goals that you mentioned earlier applied everybody in this country hello Aaron and the like and and getting the job. But the generation gap was apparent at last year's NAACP. Conference win of Barack Obama is that a candidate for president. Spoke about personal responsibility being important African American men and women and Jesse Jackson said. That he was offended by Obama's statement. Saying that he was talking down to black people he is that a point of contention within the and Ellen Angelina."

" Absolutely not we must take responsibility. We must take responsibility for how the children. They have to be trained. We must take responsibility -- action as adults we must begin to behavior and and and that's helped. -- children to understand history and race via culture you know -- daddy is. Dignify that the rap. Songs the -- wearing out of clothes. Hanging down -- showing. Or parts of the body -- we never thought anybody would show on the subway cool cool want to see debt and that's not a history of African Americans are hopeful parents. Didn't have the clothes but they were clean that we need part of them not grand -- Wearing suspenders you know to make sure his -- to up and so. Yes I loved that. And I -- that and I go into schools about. That the culture that we get -- in Queens in pre new look you set yourself a king and queen -- is definitely. You you you -- steadily UBE dead weight. So I think the president is doing a good job on long would it could be a Cosby was it that way before. President Obama said."

" Hazel dukes is my guess she's the president of the New York State conference for the NAACP and she's also a member of the organizations. National board of directors and we're talking about the NAACP. In advance of next week's celebration hundredth anniversary and also its annual convention will continue our conversation after this. My guest is hazel and dukes the president of the New York State conference of the NAACP and also a member of the national board of directors of the NAACP. You. Began his career and the assistant you have to get involved in the NAACP."

" Well business groups do not college. The nation but I was involved in the NAACP. And my freshman year that's when you do it."

" Not decided which one do you growing up and sell -- yes my first year -- returned that should Alabama."

" And did a year at Alabama State but I graduated from adelphi and -- city."

" Well it was easier to join the NAACP. In New York in Garden City and it was in no idea it was a."

" As nodded joining NAACP -- city had joined in double ACP in Montgomery."

" Bright enough -- he was I consider brave thing to do. Yes it will ask for African Americans it was it was a brave thing to do because you."

" You were beginning to understand that you wanted to be apart -- moved me. And not Edwards pulled report. And so I pictured. Topped with in my home. About he was of the railroad in the coolest I had the experience of -- With -- treatment tool and -- my lunch box the people win so I was very conscience. Of what was happening in America. And that though that because my diet is a union person who was doing to make change."

" I want to be a pod of the -- now is changing."

" So what year did you join him in the nineteen. Fifty EU. Nineteen beautiful."

" So view and then entered the work place in late fifties early sixties right. And what was it like for woman a black woman at that time."

" Many."

" Do you doing it in and in Alabama -- no. You've got to new York and moved to new York and."

" After graduation. I worked for -- national county. You Unix and was the county executive at that time. And -- be the first African American. Tour in the legal department for -- of the now."

" A famous and he was being Jack Weinstein."

" with the council fluent in Nassau County. So owned jet Weinstein being a Prius and he is the need to life offer me. Great. He believed in people."

" Being together and working together and stand off I was only African American among the staff."

" Dealing with attorneys setting up groups and weird thing and then post you would great respect."

" And he later was important. Factor in getting some civil rights absolutely cases one in the courts absolutely. During your tenure as -- president of the New York City chapter of the NAACP would most important issues you. He sees this as a statewide things or yes we get over this date we."

" Mean here we are we have seventy branches across the state from buffalo to eastern long -- We have bridges -- it -- deal. Some people probably have to have occurred in those places Spring Valley and the going to be go to Huntington and we go to Kim stated in lake view. And back in New York City all of girls in Staten Island. Queens we have deflection branch which is now have a great. Collaboration with the Asian community out there so I've seen growth. And I -- problems in the -- news."

" We'll do you think that New York is a special case we've had a black mayor the state now has a black governor and the president of the Senate. The states and it is black."

" I think I don't think I've seen progress. In in New York State. The night -- we asked you what it's only been on accomplishment. Just this year the passing. All of the newly formed a Rockefeller drug -- We've worked on that for sixteen years studying -- would governor Cuomo and in government Carrey and wise and important for the NAACP. Because beginning about a young people. Who. In early each get trapped in the criminal justice system because of the feed video public education. Once they have not committee hideous crime -- and most of the young people with -- the reason we -- drugs and have a community. We never got to -- white collar people but they would of people trying to earn a living. In -- we'd be costs of air limited education opportunities and so we -- EU debt Donald ball was a high optional. It was not given we believe now that we have -- courts that we worked for. -- Weakens now let young people come bag on the second -- my second and then it can get productive citizen. While we spending all his money for incarceration. Let's bring that money -- for quality education let's get computers in every classroom. Let's hear it. I teach qualified teachers -- and paid beyond because -- Teachers and doctors go to get a and so you can't -- we can use that money bring him -- Trained him and one thing because. While we didn't get it -- doing administration human Carrey in and governor Cuomo in this state. We can't young Meehan who could received education. While they were in incarcerate. So when he came out. They had waited too commonly used gas fields and not go back to the single hand."

" My guess is hazel dukes this is WNYC wnyc.org. -- Why -- and the NAACP. Endorse political candidates -- cause we've travel one's three."

" And on their knowledge of federal law all nonprofit groups can not. Cannot endorse candidates."

" But you've got involved in the election process and -- oh of course we can do voter registration. Well we encourage people to to vote."

" Not only encourage we take that and we sit up cop who was to make sure that people participate because. I have to tell his story not telling -- an Alice in college. Omni and he was your older -- and keen to a meeting. And see it -- he was the clear political. Action director he's -- note two things you're born into politics and you've got into politics. Somebody. Give -- birth certificate of the of the year elected appointed and when you got to get a death certificate. And someone -- you let it all pointed have to give that to you. So why not you hold life. Cab someone. Interfering with it -- the you'd like -- go up."

" What do you get -- additional water --"

" They make the laws so why not participate. And make sure it would we do for outlook constituency. Is not till the quotable for what we put the issues out."

" Now the Supreme Court has. Made some important decisions over the years that the NAACP. Sought but. Things seem to be moving in another direction. A couple of years ago the Supreme Court ruled to limit the ability of school districts to take race into account. To promote diversity in Seattle school from last month of course -- the other court overturned a second Circuit Court of Appeals decision made by judge. So -- my -- among others that had upheld the city of New -- attempt to review its testing process for promotions in the fire department. Do you see these rulings is rolling back affirmative action successes of the past well."

" And yes and that's what we -- so vigilant and that's what we hear it. The --"

" A point it may die. Nixon. -- And young bush. We saw that don't -- we once ballot that way we did that all his people go through."

" Pace you know and we know there's still fallout from it Sonia Sotomayor might very well suffer as a result subtle and not just on the panel bags --"

" They going to have a problem. That. New Haven -- has always been in this country."

" Hole looks."

" In the neck I'll get spam. And so. They didn't do a fair ruling on net they took it those guys who was sitting -- Ruth Ginsburg most certainly didn't join him in net."

" But those -- drop that conservative group."

" That they got a ruling and the conservatives of this country. It's sad to say. About the nominee. That you know she she only think about race I -- necessarily come away -- point -- governor Cuomo recently done in New York State mortgage -- and again she's bright she's intelligent she's thoughtful and she's. Wouldn't that be just make it lose it costs of Hispanics. An African Americans and native America she will make rules on the law."

" Isn't that something that you have to contend with the people just make assumptions that have nearly automatically only gonna be thinking about it in the situation that black people absolutely and that's why we still around that's what we would say."

" They're -- people would just change the -- the nationals a simple black people know. All of -- right. Should this should be protected in this country."

" Net what about affirmative action some people argue that people who benefited most from affirmative action programs are middle class blacks that. The class concerns. Whether it affects blacks or whites are largely overlooked when we talk about affirmative action."

" We know acting -- move. Our thinking. From jealous people. W black -- white and you get to bush was affirmative action case. And premium and yeah he wasn't a bright student here's a legacy student his father and absolutely and he would act okay and is far ahead buildings named after him. College university is doing a great thing now Hollywood is saying. We don't have any money. And you believed that you water for you education. We gonna build a program for you. That. Remove the stigma. Of affirmative action causes just not for blacks is very. It's Hispanics is -- and they give American -- good Jewish community cool. I think we move to that real there we can take stopped seeing the negative side of affirmative action but it actually -- Giving everyone equal cheat."

" And many people are arguing that it's no longer necessary but the the the NAACP has. Generally focus on legal advocacy over the years. And it its focus also very strongly on overturning policy versus Ferguson had a major victory -- brown versus board of education. But during the fifties and sixties. The NAACP wasn't engage in the kind of direct action that. Martin Luther King in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference was leading the marches freedom rides sedans etc. And do you think that it's it was -- is a little irrelevant because it seems like a footnote of history the civil rights struggle. Martin would -- king junior Malcolm X have so dominated the narrative."

" that's not true Lucy you don't go to history month of the team didn't have any money. NAACP. Was the was the person that. Hit the lawyer is there. Head of the strategy is. Strategizing -- actually go bonds hit double B and that kind of -- in the civil rights movement so he get a hail. Bad rustic. And eight killer Randolph really -- and Roy Wilkins and Whitney Young. Trip to march on Washington get. -- Raided the costs of his speech. I have a dream. But he was not. The person who put all the mechanics to get because he didn't know how to do that so if you don't already history. The NAACP. Null NAACP yet not going out and screamed like Powell but. The Mississippi boycott. Was diet in double ACP NAACP almost went out of business. Because -- boycott. In in Mississippi and what happened at that time in the black of Wendell white -- and said that -- destroy would be. This talent and it was so bad they Su and thirteen years in double ACP money. I had to be an asks grow. Because they were trying to get us out of business so we know have a history. To say. During that period in double ACP it's been just as militant. Is in the group but we have not always been in the streets as you're right we didn't cool so those who would win in street. Head protection from the NAACP."

" the -- you cited earlier by Austin is a real friend. Rug Arab Wilkins etc. yes that we don't have people like that anymore in recent years has -- a lot of turmoil within. The NAACP leadership. Is -- do you think that things are gonna stabilize and now that the hundredth anniversaries here."

" Yes all of the path and leaving executive directors will be here with gusts over a week Q and -- on Wednesday. But this week -- speed -- analyst Colin Powell. Jesse Jackson. Think Kelly everyone he's in the NAACP child he spotted his activism from the double ACP. So we feel good about their bracket and print people don't know the history and they just listen and act today -- What happened today and they have every right to do -- we celebrating our 100 years. We have to tell a story of where we began and where we go and nothing to face of being jealous speak. Both relieved that that's where we going."

" and dukes is president of the NAACP New York State conference a member of the NAACP. National board of directors. A member of the NAACP. Executive committee as well as. An active member of various NAACP board subcommittees and he's been my great pleasure to talk to her today on the show and thank you so much. Thanks for listening to WNYC on demand please check out the other programs at wnyc.org. Or on iTunes. This is a free service made available by our listeners. Become a member of WNYC today."