67TH ANNUAL FIGHT FOR FREEDOM FUND DINNER PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE

“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, my brothers and sisters in the cause of freedom and justice. I greet you on this occasion of the 67th Annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner of the Detroit Branch of the NAACP. As we also celebrate the 110th Anniversary since the founding of our branch, it is with high privilege that we stand on the shoulders of Father Richard Bagnall, Rev. Robert L. Bradby, Sr., Benjamin Willoughby Lambert, William Osby and many others. It was born and emerged out of a crucible of oppression. It was a time of police brutality, “colored” restrooms and water fountains, segregated housing, and employment discrimination. Lest we forget! It was born out of a necessity to preserve our freedom, affirm our dignity and fully participate in our democracy. Beloved, Frederick Douglass taught us well when he said, “find out just what any people will quietly submit to, and you have the exact measure of the injustice and wrong which will be imposed on them.” Well let me be clear, in 2022 it is up to me and you. We will not be silent and watch those in our nation who seek to divide us from each other roll back the progress of our struggle, choke the life out of our activism, and distort the vision of a people with their eyes stayed on equity of opportunity.”