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Friday, July 29, 2011
I told you we Black transpeeps weren't going to take this caca lying down, and TPOCC penned a letter to NAACP President Ben Jealous that expresses much of what we're feeling in the aftermath of this.
We want to make sure that if they do another one at the 103rd NAACP Convention next year, we aren't left out in the cold and they're scratching their heads dumbfounded at why we're pissed about the erasure.
Time to post the letter. You can be agents of your own liberation by signing your own name to it and preferably snail mailing or faxing it to the NAACP, but if e-mail is the best you can do, we'll take that .
***
July 29, 2011
Chairman Ben Jealous
NAACP
National Headquarters
4805 Mt. Hope Dr.
Baltimore, MD 21215
Re: 102nd NAACP Annual Convention, Los Angeles, California
Dear Mr. Jealous:
I am extremely upset at the lack of inclusion by the NAACPat its First LGBT Forum during the 102nd Annual Convention this pastMonday, July 25, 2011. One of thereasons the NAACP was founded was to tirelessly work to prevent lack ofinclusion based on race for ALL Black people. Black transgender people are included within this community but yetexcluded by your organization that touts to be “the oldest and largest civil rightsorganization.”
There is no excuse for discrimination or lack ofinclusion. Your ongoing historic mission“is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality ofrights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination.” One wouldthink that “the oldest and largest civil rights organization” would know betterthan to discriminate and then justify the discrimination by saying, “we’re notthere on transgender issues.” The NAACP missed a golden opportunity on July 25to start the education process in our community on transgender issues andshould always strive to be the civil rights role model for others tofollow.
A recent survey conducted by the National Center for TransgenderEquality revealed Black transgender people live in extreme poverty with 34%reporting incomes of less than $10,000. Black transgender people suffer severe economic distress because ofunemployment related to discrimination based on the dual oppressions of raceand gender. Approximately 32% reportedlosing their job due to bias and 48% were not hired due to bias. Sadly, this is just the tip of the icebergfor the issues encountered by Black transgender people.
The NAACP must educate itself and its members on theseissues and stand up for All Black people. It cannot pick and choose.
[PLACE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS HERE]
** It gives your letter more validity if you put your nameand sign the letter at a minimum. It isrecommended that you mail your letter if possible.0 Comments:
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