"We can't rest in pursuing justice and defeating hate.” That was the main message expressed by the NAACP of Syracuse and Onondaga County.
"There's an awful lot of hate in this country,” said Linda Brown-Robinson, the president of the NAACP of Syracuse and Onondaga County. “We're going backwards. This is the way some things were back when I was growing up."
But the organization hopes to leave the past behind and work toward a future full of inclusion and equality.
Brown-Robinson gave the third annual State of the Community address, highlighting the accomplishments, but also the issues that lie ahead.
One of their top priorities is resolving discrimination cases.
"Our numbers have increased over this last year,” said Juanita Perez Williams, the NAACP of Syracuse and Onondaga County chair. “I think most people would say we have an administration that has been very open about types of hate, types of bias that are really inappropriate and because of that I think it gives some people a sense of the ability to just say what's on their mind. We're seeing more and more in our schools, more and more in public places."
The organization focused on nearly 40 cases last year. They also want to improve healthcare.
"Specifically, making sure we're on top of the I-81 project,” said Perez Williams. “The housing displacement issues coming up, rezoning of our city these -- are issues that affect poor communities, affect African Americans and we want to make sure the NAACP is ahead of it."
They’re also going to continue to encourage residents to vote.
"That’s one of things I want to see that happens that We get every person registered,” said Brown-Robinson. “Every person counted for the census."
This is why the NAACP believes, "we can't rest," until:
"We can go out of business,” said Brown-Robinson. “Rodney King made this statement and said, "Why can't we all just get together and live like human beings?”
They’ll also focus on economic success and great education for all.
The organization’s Freedom Fund Dinner is on May 21.