Race relations have come a long way in the United States over the past few decades.  Monumental policy changes have opened many doors for African-Americans and minorities across the country.  Many of these opportunities for our generation were made possible by the efforts, and sometimes lives, of those that came before us.  Civil rights organizations were instrumental in creating change in the way minorities were treated by society and how we were governed by the American democracy.

One of those civil rights organizations at the forefront of change was the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.  Founded in 1909, the NAACP has been the most influential civil rights organizations in this country.  Since its inception, the organization has fought to protect the rights and civil liberties of African-Americans and other minorities.  Whenever racial issues have arisen, the NAACP has been viewed as the voice of the entire African-American community. The organization today has over 250,000 members in over 2,200 units across the United States. 

While the organization has opened many doors for minorities in the last century, its recent years have been met with a widespread skepticism concerning its future.  The question of whether the organization is needed after the election of President Barack Obama has been asked by many in the African-American community and several others. 

Local NAACP branches have suffered from stagnant leadership which, depending on who you ask, is a reflection of the organization's national leadership.  The overall age of the organization is increasing due to a lack of presence among youth and young adults.  While there are those that feel the organization should simply be put to rest, there are many that believe the NAACP's vision should change as the country has changed over the decade.

In my opinion, the NAACP should go back to the drawing board, internally and externally.  From within, it should re-define their purpose according to the issues of today's world, and this should start from the national leadership and trickle down.  The African-American and other minority communities are much more diverse within themselves than they were during the days of Jim Crow and earlier.  Therefore, the NAACP should diversify its efforts to accommodate a changed society.

The NAACP should also re-evaluate its leadership, from national to local executive boards.  A long-avoided issue in African-American leadership is the unwillingness of the previous generation to pass down the torch to the younger.  Whether this is a lack of mistrust or simply wanting to maintain their position within a circle of power and privilege, it is not advancing the situation of the African-American people.  If the leadership is too stagnant, it is time for members to demand fresh, new perspectives on how to effectively serve their communities and cultivate the next world leaders.

From an external aspect, the NAACP needs to diversify their voice in the eyes of the media.  The only people the general public sees in regards to issues that involve the NAACP is Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, and they are not even the spokespeople for the organization.  While the message should be most important, the choice of messenger can also help or harm the impact of the organizations messages and initiatives.  This is why new faces must step to the forefront, preferably younger faces, to connect with the younger generation.

To conclude, there are many that still believe the organization has a rightful place in today's America.  The racial inequalities and institutional barriers that minorities are still faced with on a daily basis are well-documented, and the NAACP still fights the good fight for an even playing field for all minorities to prosper and grow as equals with our Caucasian counterparts.

I honestly believe the NAACP is well-aware of their current situation. They are aware of the fact that the foundation of their 101 year-old house is getting weaker by the moment. 

How they plan to renovate their house is anybody's guess.