Two outstanding events closed out Black History Month NAACP Image Awards & Black Clergy of Philadelphia & Vicinity

Thera Martin [e-mail]

First, let me acknowledge that Black History Month 2023 went by so fast that I almost don’t know what happened; but then again, I do because I try to pay attention. I don’t profess to know about all the important events of Black Philadelphia; however, I try my best to stay abreast of things.

To close out Black History month, the NAACP Image Awards took place Saturday, February 25, and it was broadcast on Black Entertainment Television (BET). I was moved in particular by three speeches:

The acceptance speech of United States Congressman Bennie Thompson, Chair of the January 6th Committee that investigated the insurrection that took place after Donald Trump lost his bid for a second term in office-to see that black man (Congressman Thompson working as smart and as hard as he could, along with the rest of his committee) to do everything they could to prosecute all involved with making January 6th a reality. When Congressman Thompson spoke as he received his NAACP Image award, he spoke valiantly and proudly because he knew he did his best under the rule of law.

Equally moving and impressive was attorney Benjamin Crump. He was another recipient of an NAACP Image award last Saturday, deservingly so. He has been the attorney who has represented now too many families of Black men and women killed while going into police custody or after having been arrested. He was the attorney for George Floyd, the family of Breanna Taylor-and too many others. This killing of black people while in police hands--must stop. It must stop.