A series of viral e-mails circulating the Internet the past several days distort and misrepresent the NAACP's stance on the Dunbar Village gang rape case that began last June in south Florida.
The NAACP does not condone violence against anyone. Any suggestion to the contrary is not credible in light of the Association's long history of opposing violence against all persons.
In fact, it was the West Palm Beach Branch NAACP and area churches, among others, that provided assistance in the relocation of the victims in this horrific and inexplicable criminal matter.
"The NAACP cares deeply that justice be applied equally, without regards to race, but cares just as deeply that guilty parties be held accountable for their actions," said Adora Obi Nweze, president of the Florida State Conference, NAACP.
The NAACP National Office nor the Florida NAACP have taken any formal position on the case and both believe this situation will benefit from well meaning, interested parties allowing the facts to become further known and letting defense lawyers do their work.
"The lives of the victims in this case are irrevocably altered in the worst way," said NAACP Interim President & CEO Dennis Courtland Hayes. "While we respect the judicial process and implore that equal justice be rendered for all involved, we must also focus on ending the continuing plague of violence in our communities.
"The NAACP and its affiliates will continue to closely monitor the proceedings and details of this case, said West Palm Beach Branch NAACP President Maude Ford Lee, who added, "Earlier reports that my remarks support the heinous acts of the guilty parties could not be further from the truth."
There Was No Misrepresentation
This blog stands by every word that has been written about this incident. They may have been misunderstood, but that isn't the fault of bloggers and every single media outlet in south Florida who covered that debacle disguised as a press conference. Read the rebuttal to the "we were misrepresented by the bloggers" response. What is important is that Maude has backed away from her fool hearty misadventure.
Florida State President Agrees to Join Us on This Week's Podcast
The Florida State President of the NAACP who also sits on the national board has agreed to join us for the podcast this Thursday at 8:00PM CST. I think wisely folks have realized that there needs to be a dialog about such a serious "misunderstanding." We'll take your questions this Thursday at 8:00PM CST on the Black Women's Roundtable.
