Don't let fear, intimidation hold back African-Americans' progress, senator tells Salem County NAACP

—  African-Americans must be ready to challenge those who would keep them down, even some members of their own community, a state legislator says.

“One thing has become very clear to me, the failure of so many of our people to open their eyes to what is happening in the black community,” said state Sen. Ronald L. Rice.

The senator, from the state’s 28th Legislative District in Newark, was keynote speaker at

annual Freedom Fund Awards Banquet on Saturday.

Rice said he is angered when he sees black elected officials and members of the black clergy allowing white elected officials and other powerbrokers to “intimidate them and hold them hostage.”

Calling them the “black Judases of our time,”

claimed some are “selling out the black community for personal gain.”

He also laid blame on the financial world, saying Wall Street has played a role in hindering further advancement by blacks.

“Their ideology is no different than our slavemasters,” Rice said.

Rice urged an end to bickering in the black community, saying leaders must unite for the common good and spread the message there is much more work to be done to solve the problems facing so many.

“African-Americans are not being spoken to enough by the black leadership.”

Rice said the mission must continue to be economic justice for all.

The senator noted many younger blacks don’t know the sacrifices made by their ancestors for the freedoms they now enjoy.

“One thing I found out that encompasses African-Americans’ new generation, we don’t know our history any more ... we have everything else to do but sit down and hear our history and understand it.”

He also said many still neglect to make their voices heard at the polls.

“Our failure as men and women to take the time to vote, hold elected officials accountable ... is a disgrace and slap in the face of our ancestors who struggled and died for us to have such rights,” the senator said.

The highlight of the annual NAACP banquet, held this year at the Edward W. Dorn Center in Pedricktown, was the awards ceremony honoring community leaders and local youth for their accomplishments.

Donald Pierce of Salem was the recipient of the Community Activist Award. A retired college professor, Pierce has served on many boards in Salem County.

Ina Jetter, received the Youth Service Award. Now employed at Salem High School, she has worked with youth an families for more than 30 years.

John T. Lenahan was presented with the Law and Public Safety Award. Lenahan serves as Salem County prosecutor.

Woodstown’s Spencer U.A.M.E. Church was recognized with the Religious Service Award. Accepting the honor on behalf of Spencer was its pastor, Rev. Dr. Elmer Brown Jr.

Youth recognized as “rising stars” in their community were Aaliyah Garlic, Akmad Nichols Jr. and Jasmin Porter. All three are Salem High School students.

Salem County NAACP President Ken Braxton, in his message, said “Every day there are incidents of injustice, inequity, and inequality purely based on race, gender or sexual orientation.”

Like Rice, Braxton said many have seem to have forgotten the sacrifices of past generations of African-Americans.

“We need to reach and teach our young people, so they will understand the struggles their ancestors endured, that they may have the privileges they take for granted.”

“The choice is ours,” Braxton said. “We can work collectively to thrive or fight with each other to remain behind.”

Honorees also received citations from the Salem County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the New Jersey State Senate and Assembly.

Contact South Edition Editor Bill Gallo Jr. at 856-935-1500 ext. 432 or bgallo@southjerseymedia.com

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