Detroit’s NAACP Honors Kid Rock and His Confederate Flag

 

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Your Black World – Scholarship in Action 

The NAACP of Detroit has committed what appears to be an incredibly sad act by giving it’s Great Expectations Award to Kid Rock during it’s annual Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner.  It’s ironic that the NAACP is giving an award to someone who regularly uses the Confederate flag during his concerts.  The civil rights supporter in me doesn’t understand the NAACP’s actions, but the Finance Professor in me understands their actions perfectly.

Here are some questions for the NAACP as they honor one of their greatest heroes, Kid Rock:

1) If Kid Rock were not a donor to your organization, would you have given him this award?  Probably not.

2) If you were to take a vote among your members in Detroit, would they agree with giving an award to someone who boldly carries around one of the greatest symbols of racism in American history? I don’t think so.

3) Would the Jewish Anti-Defamation League give an award to a man who put a swastika on stage during his performance?  I think not.

4) What does this teach our children?  It effectively says that if someone gives you enough money and you need it bad enough, then you should allow them to insult you and your ancestors in the most despicable ways imaginable.  Kid Rock has not offered an apology for his behavior, nor has he shown any remorse for his use of the flag.  He basically made it clear to Detroit’s “leadership” that because he has the money, he makes the rules.  You can’t fight against racism if you find yourself consistently surrendering to it.

I won’t say another word.  I’ll just let the Detroit NAACP and it’s members mull this one over for a while.  Even the prostitute who works on the corners so she can feed her children is still…in the end….another prostitute.   She can no longer claim to be the virtuous mother that she used to be, and her child may still be disappointed with her in the end.

There should be no price placed on your integrity, especially when the disrespect is so incredibly blatant.  I’d rather see them take money from local drug dealers.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition.  To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.

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