Thread: NAACP blasts Mt. Vernon award to Glenn Beck

NAACP blasts Mt. Vernon award to Glenn Beck

Story Updated: Sep 18, 2009 at 4:53 PM PDT
By KOMO Staff

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. - The mayor's decision to award the keys of the city of Mount Vernon to controversial talk show host Glenn Beck has come under fire from the local chapter of a national group.

The Snohomish County chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, or NAACP, lodged the protest with Mount Vernon Mayor Bud Norris.

In a letter to Norris, the chapter wrote, "Beck has a history of making divisive, offensive statements. (His) ideology is inflammatory and insulting to many of your own constituents."

Norris earlier announced his intent to give the keys to his city to Beck on Sept. 26.

Norris says Beck will deliver a short talk that night and become the first person to receive a key to the city in the six years Norris has been mayor.

But the NAACP's Snohomish County chapter noted that Beck has been the subject of recent scrutiny for his on-air behavior, including labeling President Obama a "racist."

Chapter President Janice R. Greene, who authored the letter to Norris, said, "The message being sent goes beyond your local community."

Greene requested a meeting with Norris to discuss reconsideration of the award. But she said he declined to meet with her and discuss the decision, which was never voted on by the Mount Vernon City Council.

Greene also said the NAACP has been a national agent for change since the organization was founded 100 years ago.

"The NAACP has waged a century-long struggle to stimulate citizens to live up to the highest ideals of the nation," she said.

"Given these core values of the organization, we cannot stand idly by while actions are taken which deliberately seek to stimulate the lowest impulses of human nature - using techniques of insult, intimidation, falsity, and fear."

Greene said the executive committee of the Snohomish County Chapter of the NAACP "has indicated its unanimous and strenuous objection to this ill-considered action."

"We have faith that this type of rhetoric and behavior is not embraced by the majority of the citizens of Mount Vernon or those residing in the surrounding communities," she said.

But Norris earlier told KOMO News the key does not represent city approval of every comment that Beck may make, but recognizes a local boy who made it big.

Norris says he knew Beck when the talk show host was just 12 years old, and awarding him the keys to the city is merely a recognition of someone who is from Mount Vernon.

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/59799007.html

Glenn Beck deserves the award and so much more. Beck backed up his statements about Obama with facts.

The NAACP can't see beyond Obama's exterior.

as if the NAACP isnt a racist group

LOL
Sorry , I just had to .