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Catholic U. Won't Recognize NAACP Chapter
AP ^ | June 5, 2004 | CANDACE SMITH

Posted on 06/05/2004 5:25:33 PM PDT by jern

By CANDACE SMITH, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - The president of the NAACP is criticizing a decision by Catholic University of America not to recognize a chapter of the civil rights group on campus. "It is outright discrimination and intolerance all rolled into one," NAACP President Kweisi Mfume said Friday, just outside the campus and surrounded by about 20 activists and student chapter leaders from other universities.

AP Photo

He said it was the first time in decades that a university had not allowed a student chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (news - web sites). He threatened to sue if the group was unable to come to an agreement with the Roman Catholic university.

The university rejected a student's attempt to start a chapter in April on the ground that the campus already had two groups that represent black students: the Black Organization of Students at Catholic University of America and Minority Voices, an umbrella group for minority organizations.

"He did not demonstrate in the view of university officials ... that this chapter of the NAACP would fill a need that isn't already being met by organizations in existence," said Victor Nakas, university spokesman.

William Jawando, 21, who tried to start the chapter, dismissed the school's reasoning, saying there are no civil rights groups on campus.

"I think they're scared of the NAACP name and protests," said Jawando, a recent undergraduate, who will attend the university's law school in the fall.

School administrators also raised concern about the group's support of the April 25 "March for Women's Lives," an abortion rights rally. Nakas said student groups are not allowed to advocate positions that are contrary to the teachings of the church, which opposes abortion. But he said that was not the main reason for rejecting the NAACP chapter.

Official NAACP policy does not take a side in the abortion debate, Mfume said.

Nakas said the university's president, the Rev. David M. O'Connell, hopes to meet with Mfume next week. University officials plan to meet with students interested in the issue this fall. Jawando said about 30 students were committed to joining the campus group.

The NAACP has chapters at 150 colleges, including Georgetown, Fordham and St. John's universities and Trinity College — all Catholic schools.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Front Page News; News/Current Events; Philosophy; US: District of Columbia
KEYWORDS: abortion; campus; catholic; catholiccollege; catholiccolleges; catholiclist; catholicschools; catholicu; catholicuniversity; college; naacp; university
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1 posted on 06/05/2004 5:25:33 PM PDT by jern
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To: jern

Keep yer neo-socialism out of my religion.


2 posted on 06/05/2004 5:26:56 PM PDT by Porterville (oOOOo USA against the World in this summer Olympics oOOOo)
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To: jern

May the NAACP continue to lose market share.


3 posted on 06/05/2004 5:32:19 PM PDT by Maceman (Too nuanced for a bumper sticker)
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To: jern
"It is outright discrimination and intolerance all rolled into one..."

Kinda like comparing the GOP to the Taliban...eh, Mr. Mfume?
4 posted on 06/05/2004 5:34:34 PM PDT by jra
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To: jern

Frizzell Gray can stick it where the sun don't shine.

5 posted on 06/05/2004 5:35:04 PM PDT by A.A. Cunningham
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To: jern

NAACP used to be a respectable organization, but like almost everything else touched by liberals it has been hijacked by nut cases.

Now it stands for many things that are not really in the best interest of blacks.


6 posted on 06/05/2004 5:38:58 PM PDT by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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To: jern

The Catholics should throw this evil off its soil at all their universities.


7 posted on 06/05/2004 5:42:03 PM PDT by wrathof59 (semper ubi sub ubi)
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To: wrathof59

AMEN!


8 posted on 06/05/2004 5:48:36 PM PDT by RPTMS
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To: jern
Kweisi Mfume said Friday,...surrounded by about 20 activists and student chapter leaders from other universities.

About twenty?? This, of course, is media-speak for "a handful".

9 posted on 06/05/2004 5:59:52 PM PDT by yankeedame ("Born with the gift of laughter & a sense that the world was mad.")
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To: jern

Give them an inch and they will take a mile.


10 posted on 06/05/2004 6:04:31 PM PDT by M007
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To: jern

Three cheers for my Alma Mater!


11 posted on 06/05/2004 6:17:35 PM PDT by pgkdan
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To: jern
Official NAACP policy does not take a side in the abortion debate, Mfume said.

Oh that's real slick, queazy! Maybe not in your by-laws, but in truth, it does, as witnessed by the NAACP's support and participation in pro-abortion rallies!

12 posted on 06/05/2004 10:58:28 PM PDT by SuziQ (Bush in 2004/Because we Must!!! (Bombard))
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To: jern

Wow -- a Catholic university acting like a Catholic university! Will wonders never cease?


13 posted on 06/05/2004 11:25:38 PM PDT by mrustow
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To: jern

I don't blame them.. I try to ignore them as much as possible.


14 posted on 06/06/2004 3:43:19 AM PDT by Awestruck (Formerly Goodie D)
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To: jern
In these campus tempests in a teapot, it's always useful to ask exactly what is being asked and/or refused. This student and his buddies could obviously meet in their dorm rooms and form their very own chapter of the NAACP. That is not at issue.

The AP story is not clear, other than to say that the issue is university "recognition." The question is, what is involved in that? Typically in these cases the complaining group is seeking funding and/or office space that is afforded to "official" campus groups. The university is perfectly within its rights to exercise judgment on such matters. No university in America would give official imprimatur and financial support to a student organization dedicated to denying the Holocaust. By the same token, why should universities be expected to support pro-abortion groups?

15 posted on 06/06/2004 4:03:00 AM PDT by sphinx
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To: jern; GatorGirl; maryz; *Catholic_list; afraidfortherepublic; Antoninus; Aquinasfan; Askel5; ...

Ping.


16 posted on 06/06/2004 9:12:50 AM PDT by narses (If you want ON or OFF my Catholic Ping List email me. +)
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To: jern
William Jawando, 21, who tried to start the chapter, dismissed the school's reasoning, saying there are no civil rights groups on campus.

First of all: this one's gotta overcome his mushmindedness and learn that those with the loudest mouths and the most apparent "me first" attitude will be the ones first put in their place by the American public-at-large (i.e. noisy idiots get legally hated).

BUT, at least HE has a for-real first name; unlike the noisy goon in front of the cameras (ref: http://www.famousfolk.com/real/names-me.shtml at the back of the bus bottom of the list).

17 posted on 06/06/2004 9:34:58 AM PDT by solitas
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To: jern
photoNAACP President Kweisi Mfume, right, gestures during a news conference at Catholic University on Friday, June 4, 2004 in Washington. Mfume is criticizing a decision by Catholic University of America not to recognize a chapter of the civil rights group on campus. At left is campus organizer William Jawando. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Via Drudge

18 posted on 06/06/2004 6:38:09 PM PDT by Coleus (Roe v. Wade and Endangered Species Act both passed in 1973, Murder Babies/save trees, birds, algae)
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To: jern

February 24, 2004

NAACP Board Takes Historical Pro-Choice Position
Board unanimously supports woman's right to equal access to family planning materials
For the first time in its 95-year history, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Board of Directors has endorsed the principle that women have the right to equal access to family planning materials, information and choice when it comes to birth control.

Board Chair Julian Bond said, "This is an issue of equal rights, and we are pleased to join those insisting on a woman's right to control her own body."

The Board, during its quarterly meeting February 21 in New York, unanimously approved a resolution that also urges "all who believe in equal rights" to attend the "March for Women's Lives" pro-choice rally in Washington, D.C. on April 25, 2004.

The resolution, introduced by Board member Rupert Richardson, noted that 80 years ago, Dr. W.E.B. DuBois, one of the association's founders, said every woman must have the right of procreation "at her own discretion."

Moreover, the resolution said: "A woman denied the right to control her own body is denied equal protection of the law, a right the NAACP has fought for and defended for nearly 100 years."

Public opinion surveys indicate that women of color seek abortions at rates higher than their percentage in the population and overwhelmingly describe themselves as pro-choice.

Founded in 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) The NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its half-million adult and youth members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities and monitor equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.

http://www.naacp.org/news/releases/BoardProChoice022404.shtml


19 posted on 06/06/2004 7:45:17 PM PDT by miltonim (Fight those who do not believe in Allah. - Koran, Surah IX: 29)
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To: miltonim
NAACP Board Takes Historical Pro-Choice Position

LOL!

Guess Tovarisch Quesy didn't get the memo.

20 posted on 06/06/2004 7:52:33 PM PDT by VeniVidiVici (In God We Trust. All Others We Monitor.)
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