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[[images - 3 black & white portrait photographs of men]]

CIVIL DISORDERS REPORT STRESSES URGENCY

HITS "SEPARATE BUT UNEQUAL"

The report of the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders presented to the country, March 1, 1968, was called
"a report which calls insistently, almost ominously, for action now, not talk, by all Americans whose objective is a single society with equal opportunity, not two societies–'separate but unequal.'"

The characterization was made by Roy Wilkins, executive director of the NAACP and a member of the Commission.

Every branch, college chapter and youth council must reassess its activities in the light of this report, said Mr. Wilkins.

"We can't afford business as usual!  We've got to use imagination, we've got to get mad, we've got to be the action that, as the Commission says, 'makes good the promises of American democracy to all citizens–urban and rural, white and black–every minority group."

NAACP ACTION Suggestions for Youth and Adult Units.

• Enlist Neighborhood Action Task Forces to keep order on the streets, and to report grievances so remedial steps may be taken.

• Establish "store front" clinics to train unemployed in job application and interview procedures.

• Develop resource listing of qualified potential employees, publicize their availability.

• Make job openings for minority youth and adults;  visit employers, stress urgency.

• Mobilize crash voter education campaigns, check voter registrations, enlist door-to-door canvassers, explain power of the ballot.

• Develop teach-ins, remedial and tutorial learning sessions for youth and adults with educational needs.

• Conduct consumer protection sessions to guide customers in their expenditures, especially in neighborhood stores.

• Teach tenants and home owners their rights and how to use the law.

• Appraise your community leaders so that when the call comes for "grass root" representation, you can make suggestions.

• Instigate neighborhood programs:  vest pocket parks, block clean-up campaigns, beautification.

• Launch recreational activities for youth and adults:  sports, picnics, outings, trips, big brother and big sister relationships for youth.

• Involve your total community;  arrange reciprocal church and school visits;  invite police to sponsor youth events, get local officials to address meetings.

• Publicize your activities–develop close relationships with your local newspapers, radio and television stations, insist on fair and complete coverage.

• Inform organized bodies and key individuals among white people of the needs, problems and aspirations of the Negro community in your city and state.  The education of white people is a vital part of making the report real.

Seize the initiative!
Keep lines of communication open!
Expand programs to fit local needs!