NAACP is 100 Years Old. Why Should We Celebrate?

As the nation's most prominent civil rights organization celebrates its 100th birthday with a convention in New York City, it's worth asking: Where do we go from here in the fight for equality and racial justice? It's a question Black Voices posed to Benjamin Jealous, president and CEO of the NAACP.

He responded in an exclusive interview, "Take a moment and really focus on the power of 'we,' the power of how you can go from...1909 with black men being hung on trees to 2009 with a black family in the White House, and [for people] to think about in their own lives, and for the sake of their own children, what changes they want to see 100 years from now. Because we will be a big part of turning that dream into a reality."

Among the issues the group is focusing on now: restoring the rights of people who have been convicted of felonies, anti-racial profiling legislation and reforming payday lending.

For more of Jealous' comments about the NAACP's centennial celebration and current focus, view the video below.

Black Voices will bring you updates and live streams of the NAACP Centennial Convention through Thursday, July 16.

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NAACP Convention

NAACP president Ben Jealous, calls for fair confirmation hearings at NAACP 100th Annual Convention in New York, Saturday, July 11, 2009, on Sonia Sotomayor and an end to racially charged remarks by Sen. Jeff Sessions, ranking member of Senate Judiciary Committee. (AP Photo/Yanina Manolova)

New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg speaks at the NAACP's Centennial Convention, in New York, July 12, 2009. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is a civil rights organization for ethnic minorities in the United States. REUTERS/Chip East (UNITED STATES POLITICS SOCIETY)

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U.S. Senator Charles Schumer speaks at the NAACP's Centennial Convention, in New York, July 12, 2009. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is a civil rights organization for ethnic minorities in the United States. REUTERS/Chip East (UNITED STATES POLITICS SOCIETY)

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U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi speaks at the NAACP's Centennial Convention, in New York, July 12, 2009. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is a civil rights organization for ethnic minorities in the United States. REUTERS/Chip East (UNITED STATES POLITICS SOCIETY)

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