“Now is the accepted time, not tomorrow, not some more convenient season.”
-W.E.B. Dubois
View our event calendar below
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View our event calendar below 〰️
The next General Membership Meeting will be held April 1st.
Members and guests are encouraged to attend. You have the opportunity to attend in person, or online, to hear about future branch activities.
Meeting time: 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Location: Micah Building, 680 State Street (come in through front door)
Online meeting link is below:
Salem Keizer Coalition of Parents for Equity (SKCOPE)
Join us for a Family Friendly Brunch to connect, build community and learn more about how best advocate for our students in the Salem-Keizer School District from our guest speakers.
Saturday April 6, 2024 from 11-2pm
Location: Micah Building 680 State Street Salem, OR
Register for attendance: https://forms.gle/zp4i5H4iqgsVGCnq6
Sign up to bring supplies: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B48A4A92BABFBC52-48777172-skcope#/
Dear Community Members,
A light has gone out in our world. Last week, we tragically lost a precious life to gun violence, a life extinguished far too soon. What makes this loss even more heartbreaking is that the violence stemmed from the hands of another child, a stark reminder of the urgency with which we must address the root causes of such senseless acts.
As President of the Salem Keizer NAACP, I write to you today with a heavy heart, filled with sadness and frustration. Our community is reeling from this tragedy, grappling with the painful reality of lives cut short and futures shattered. But amidst the darkness, there remains a glimmer of hope - a hope that together, we can rise above this cycle of violence and create a safer, more compassionate community for all.
It is said that it takes a village to raise a child. We've all heard this adage, but it is the latter part that bears repeating: "if that child does not feel the love from the village, that child will burn it down to feel its warmth." These words resonate deeply with the current state of our community. We must acknowledge that our village is failing some of our children, leaving them vulnerable to the lure of violence and despair.
Now is the time for us to come together as a community and reaffirm our commitment to our youth. We must wrap them in love and support, providing them with the guidance and resources they need to thrive. We cannot afford to stand idly by while our children suffer in silence, nor can we ignore the harsh realities they face on a daily basis.
But our responsibility does not end there. We must also hold ourselves and each other accountable for the well-being of our community. We must actively work to dismantle the systems of oppression and inequality that perpetuate violence and disenfranchise of our most vulnerable members. We must advocate for policies that prioritize the safety and dignity of all residents, regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status.
Together, we can be the change we wish to see in the world. Together, we can build a brighter future for our children - one free from the scourge of gun violence and filled with hope, opportunity, and love. Let us stand united in our grief, our frustration, and our determination to create a more just and equitable society.
In solidarity,
R. J. Hampton
President
Salem Keizer NAACP
Legal Redress volunteers needed!
The Legal Redress committee has formed a special group to work on two concerns in the area of education.
Education/Literacy:
As a sub-committee, our goal is to establish relationships among various civic groups, the SKSD (and others in Oregon), the Oregon Legislature, and the University/College systems in Oregon to first bring to light the issues of literacy of our Oregon youth. We will then use the research to affect change in course curriculum and texts in the schools, as well how our future educators are taught. The attached links explain the problems and solutions achieved in Oakland, CA and in Mississippi regarding this issue, and provide us with direction that will inform change in Oregon.
Bullying:
The Salem Keizer branch of NAACP has continued to receive complaints about racial bullying in the classroom and the schools at large across Salem-Keizer, and in other districts. This bullying (as reported) has been directed predominately at Black students and is extremely damaging, affecting the students in school, their families, and our greater community. This is a problem that will require careful strategy, likely starting with a better tracking system of incidents. In the end, our stance needs to be, “Not in Our Town.”
Currently, the subcommittee has four members and would very much appreciate additional members to assist. The subcommittee meets every other Wednesday, while Monday and Thursday evenings for meetings are also an option.
If interested in contributing to this effort, contact Paul Hutter.
Salem Keizer NAACP
We need YOU to join us as we seek a more perfect union! ALL are welcome!!
Ensuring the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all people and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.
The Salem-Keizer NAACP branch is one of the largest and most active in Oregon. Over the last two decades we have engaged in advocacy, criminal justice and education reform, and holding our leaders accountable.
Our branch conducts its work through committees: Education, Membership & Fundraising, Legal Redress, Race Relations, Youth Development, Policing & Criminal Justice, and Communications. Member or not, we welcome all to join our monthly meetings.
President RJ Hampton
“We can’t voice our concerns without showing up.”
We Work to Engage and Empower
We actively support and engage our young people and education seekers primarily through the work of our education, youth development, and race relations committees. Whether its through hosting networking events, workshops or webinars, or providing scholarships for higher learning, our branch seeks to empower the next generation of community leaders.
We Celebrate with Annual Traditions
We hold annual events to engage, uplift, and build our community. Celebrations and commemorations on Dr. Martin Luther King Day, Juneteenth, and our annual Freedom Fund Banquet provide an opportunity to develop and strengthen our commitment to one another and our organizational mission.
Even through difficult times in a pandemic, where we are relegated to virtually celebrating and engaging, we have maintained this commitment. Especially in times of hardship, it’s critical that we redouble our community engagement.
We Call For Action and Reform
Education happens within the broader context of a entire community. Our approach for reform extends beyond our virtual meetings, the walls of schools, and the edifices of our institutions. When our leaders fail to act, listen, or hear our voices we show up by exercising our right to assemble and peacefully demonstrate. We take our protests to the polls, from the polls to policy, and from policy to power.
Thank you Legal Redress
for your time to write a letter to the State Commissioner regarding the addition of disciplinary or corrective action for law enforcement who are members of hate groups. To read the NAACP’s letter and stance on the topic, please click on the link below.
