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Here you’ll see an example of NAACP Boston activism. When Black Lives brought people out onto Boston street to march and shout DEFUND THE POLICE, the Boston NAACP branch held a position on that. [ this article posted Dec/2021. It has been modified 07/2023 ]
read on ….
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 1, 2020
NAACP Boston Branch Issues Statement on Police Reform Bill
Boston — Tanisha M. Sullivan, President of the NAACP Boston Branch, issued the following statement after the Massachusetts lawmakers passed a long-awaited police reform bill.
“The NAACP Boston Branch applauds the work that has been done to address the urgent need for police reform across the Commonwealth. This is a good bill that has the potential to serve as a national model for policing standards, training, and decertification. We will keep a watchful eye on the appointments to the commission responsible for oversight.
“This bill, coupled with the reforms we’ve been able to advance in Boston, including an empowered internal affairs review panel and a civilian review board, will go a long way to bolster trust and improve public safety across our communities.
“We are also pleased with the creation of both permanent commissions on the status of African Americans and the status of Black men and boys in the Commonwealth. It’s not enough to acknowledge the problems with racial disparities — now is the time to implement the appropriate measures to root them out.
“This bill addresses certain aspects of use of force, specifically banning chokeholds and providing greater restrictions on the use of no knock warrants. We remain concerned about the use of dogs as weapons and tear gas; however, we are pleased that we were able to make headway on addressing excessive use of force.
“The NAACP Boston Branch will continue to actively monitor the implementation of these reforms, as well as the work of the various commissions and task forces established under the legislation. There is still more work to be done. We look forward to continuing to work on the behalf of the City of Boston and our neighbors across the Commonwealth to help strengthen and ensure safety in all of our communities.”
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BLACK HERITAGE TRAIL OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
Wednesday, December 9 | 5:00 PM
Join us online for our second poetry discussion, In Protest, featuring professors Reginal Wilburn and Dennis Britton and special guest poet Patricia Smith. This program explores the familiar literary tropes of protest and resistance found in African American poetry. The featured poems are:
James Weldon Johnson—The Creation
Audre Lorde—Litany for Survival
Danez Smith—dear white america
Elizabeth Alexander— Ars Poetica #1,002: Rally Read more here
Register here
The Black Matter Is Life: Poetry for Engagement and Overcoming
A Virtual Poetry Reading & Discussion
Join us this winter for a virtual series of public conversations entitled, The Black Matter is Life: Poetry for Engagement and Overcoming. In this series, we will explore and discuss the rich tradition and innovation found in African American poetry.
Poetry is a powerful art form, one that offers profound insights into what it means to be human. Through the creative, succinct, and melodious use of language, poets render into words their joys, their challenges, their vulnerabilities, and their discoveries, thus providing shape and meaning to the human connection and shared emotional experience.
In the wake of our nation’s current unrest, this program is designed to build bridges across the racial divide by introducing the audience to the writings of a number of African American poets whose work has shone a light on a rich cultural heritage that has often gone unexplored. This program asks the audience to consider how African American poetry provides tools for healing our nation’s deep racial wounds.
ABOUT THE POETS
STATEMENT OF INTENT
POETRY STUDY GUIDE
POETRY EVENT FLYER (PDF)
Program Description
To begin this exploration of the vast diversity within African American poetic tradition, UNH professors Reginald Wilburn and Dennis Britton will facilitate three online conversations. Each discussion deconstructs four poems grouped by themes. Conversations will center these poems within the context of the African American literary tradition, their cultural heritage, the traditions they encompassed, and the relevance this tradition has to us today. The series will also explore the question, “Why does African American Poetry matter?”
November 18 | 5:00 PM
Signifyin(g) on a Tradition
Featuring guest poet Lynne Thompson
