Evers-Williams said she will meet with Mfume to discuss an initiative aimed at youth and college students. During her 45-minute speech before several hundred in Chapman's Memorial Hall, Evers-Williams said she is concerned about California's efforts to dismantle affirmative action The University of California Board of Regents has voted to abolish race as a factor in student admissions.
Evers-Williams said a climate of hate seems to permeate many college campuses. "We've reached the point where we have stopped talking to each other.
"You go on college campuses around this country, and those things we fought for -- that we thought we'd never have to fight for again -- we're seeing students, one group pitted against another. Signs are painted on doors. nasty notes are slipped under doors and college newspapers have articles and letters to the editor that are there to conquer and divide."
Evers-Williams is the widow of slain civil rights pioneer Medgar Evers. She said Evers often told her African Americans will gain the rights they deserve. "But he said the most difficult problem will be holding onto those gains once we have achieved them."
Many young people, she said, have questioned the NAACP's relevancy. "Someone said, when we were going through our most difficult time, the NAACP saw its best days. But all you have to do is look around you and see how much we're needed."
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