Prominent activist Rev. Al Sharpton has kept his promise to open a local chapter of the National Action Network (NAN) civil rights organization.
The NAN’s Indiana chapter was officially launched during its first bi-weekly business meeting at Messiah Missionary Baptist Church on the city’s Eastside.
According to its national mission statement NAN, established by Sharpton in 1991, works “in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” by promoting a “modern” civil rights agenda based on “justice, decency and equal opportunity.”
As its name suggests, the organization prides itself on going beyond rhetoric and taking real action. “No justice, no peace” is its slogan.
“We believe in using advocacy, especially where it seeks to influence legislation, to ensure that there is equity and justice for all of our citizens in the state of Indiana,” said Dr. Stephen Clay, pastor of Messiah Missionary Baptist Church and NAN Indiana’s new president. “Our focus will be on issues that can adversely affect this community.”
In just its first week NAN Indiana participated in efforts at the Indiana Statehouse to stop the controversial right-to-work legislation that could change the role labor unions have with employees. They also attracted over 200 barbers, cosmetologists and others for a rally at Messiah last Thursday to protest House Bill 1006.
Opponents say it would deregulate the cosmetology industry in a way that could force barbershops and beauty salons, including those in the Black community, to deal with non-licensed competitors selling services and products that are not safe for customers.
“This bill could endanger the health and safety of the public while destroying the livelihood of thousands of hair stylists all over the state,” said Gregory Kenny Sr., founder of Kenny’s Academy of Barbering.
Kenny added that he appreciates the NAN for giving licensed professionals such as himself an opportunity to collectively express their concerns to Rep. David Wolkins, a Winona Lake Republican who is sponsoring House Bill 1006.
Some may wonder what makes the NAN different from local affiliates of other national groups such as the NAACP, SCLC and Urban League. Clay explained that NAN Indiana’s purpose is not to be unique, but to contribute to the cause of equality.
“These organizations have similar goals, including justice, equality and fairness,” Clay stated. “We can reinforce what is already here and join the cause of local and state civil rights organizations. We can add more fuel to the fire and more boots on the ground.”
NAN Indiana’s board and executive positions are being filled mostly by local ministers, who represent different denominations and congregations throughout the city.
In addition to being NAN Indiana’s president, Clay is also leader of the Baptist Ministers Alliance of Indianapolis. He has been Messiah’s pastor for almost 30 years and is known for his involvement in efforts to address crime, police brutality, voter registration and economic development.
The vice president is Pastor Michael Jones of Progressive Baptist Church, son of the late Indianapolis civil rights icon Sam Jones.
A cause with no effect?
While they embrace NAN Indiana’s goals, some observers are concerned about its ability to mobilize support in a Black community that is often viewed as more cautious, conservative and passive than those in other major metropolitan areas.
“We will have to see what the community’s ultimate response to NAN is going to be,” said Dr. Monroe Little, professor of African-American studies at Indiana University, Purdue University-Indianapolis (IUPUI).
He added that it usually takes major incidents such as the 1987 shooting of 16-year-old Michael Taylor in the backseat of a police car, or last year’s proposed placement of a controversial slave statue on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, to spark the collective ire of the local African-American community.
“Otherwise, it’s very difficult to energize this particular population to be politically active,” Little said. “It’s not impossible, it just takes a lot of work. Actually, the general community, regardless of race, has been put to sleep by the establishment. This is a community that is used to letting other people make decisions for them behind closed doors and in back rooms.”
Little said local leaders of groups like the NAACP and the Association of African-American Life and History (which created Black History Month) have been struggling for decades to recruit members, despite reasonable fees and incentives.
“Other than fraternities, sororities and social clubs, Black Americans in Indianapolis aren’t really that attuned to joining anything,” he stated. “If you’re asking them to reach into their pocket and pay money for something serious like justice or Black history, you can usually forget about it.”
Michael Batie, an educator who was raised in Indianapolis but currently lives in California, shares Little’s concerns.
When asked if NAN could make a significant difference here, he replied bluntly, “No. I’ve been active in community organizations, just not in Indianapolis. I had to leave.”
Clay, however, used the protest against House Bill 1006 as an example to show that NAN Indiana has already been successful in getting local residents involved.
“Once people become aware of an issue and how it impacts them, they are prepared to mobilize in response,” Clay said. “Last week hundreds of people came out, and it didn’t happen through radio, television of newspaper ads. It was done through social media and cell phones. One of NAN’s goals is to ensure that we are able to disseminate as much information as possible to our constituent base. That will drive their participation.”
On a positive note, Little said NAN Indiana provides another opportunity for people to join other concerned residents with similar interests and political goals. He also noted that it was wise for the organization to set up a chapter led by local activists familiar with the city, instead of having it overseen directly by NAN’s national leadership in New York.
Sharpton’s last public visit to Indianapolis occurred in November 2010, when he spoke out in support of Brandon Johnson, a teenager who was injured during a scuffle with police. It was during that visit that Shaprton said NAN Indiana would be formed.
Clay said Sharpton will be contacted on an as-needed basis, but the purpose of NAN Indiana is to give local people another place to go if they have faced discrimination or have a concern about an issue affecting the community.
“In addition to what is taking place in the Legislature, we are also very concerned about education, public safety and working with the new City-County Council majority to ensure that all people are served in the best way possible,” Clay said.
Marcia Bennett, a community activist best known for her longtime involvement with Indiana Black Expo, is looking forward to seeing what NAN Indiana has to offer.
“This city needs an active civil rights and equality organization to mobilize the community for equal justice,” she said. “I would love to be involved.”
Indianapolis resident Rhonda Merriweather agreed, saying NAN Indiana can succeed if it keeps the community engaged and involved at all times.
“We can not wait for something major to happen and then ask for community involvement,” she said.
