NAACP guest: Change must begin at home
By WARREN SCOTT, Staff writer
POSTED: May 11, 2008
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But all Americans, especially those in minority groups, must not forget they can influence positive social change, both as individuals and small communities, said Stephanie Robinson, a Steubenville native whose efforts as a social activist have ranged from visits to AIDS-stricken areas of Africa to the pages of the best-selling “The Covenant with Black America.”
As guest speaker of the Steubenville NAACP’s 81st annual Freedom Fund Banquet at Froelich’s Classic Corner, Robinson said while citizens may continue to look their local, state and federal governments for answers to various social problems, they also must play a part in finding the solutions.
After graduating from Steubenville High School and the University of Maryland, Robinson went on to earn a law degree at Harvard University, where she currently serves as a lecturer.
She has served as chief counsel for U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., was selected by former President Clinton to serve on a mission to Africa regarding the plight of children orphaned by AIDS, and assisted with the drafting of the first constitution for the nation of Kenya.
As a founder and president of the Jamestown Project, a national think tank based in Cambridge, Mass., and author of “The Covenant with Black America,” Robinson has called for Black Amercians to work together with others to bring positive changes in the areas of health, housing, crime, justice, education and economic parity.
In an interview prior to the dinner, she said it’s common for Americans of various backgrounds to look to their governments to solve problems, but they also must look within.
She said often effective social programs spring up at the grassroots level, in response to the needs of the local community, and other communities can learn from their successes to solve their own problems.
Robinson said people must become active citizens, letting their voice be heard or helping those less fortunate, as individuals or members of civic organizations, churches and other groups.
Through its Doing Democracy initiative, the Jamestown Project challenges all Americans to make self-love, family and education top priorities in their lives; act to build stronger families and communities, teach children they can have an impact on their world, identify the issues that most affect them and speak out, with others, on them.
Robinson said the idea that “Democracy isn’t a spectator sport” isn’t new. The Greek philosopher Plato saw democracy as an ideal that people must work to attain, she said, and Abraham Lincoln described the American government as being “of the people, by the people and for the people.”
Robinson, who has served as a political consultant, was asked for her thoughts on the heated race for the Democratic presidential nomination.
She said Clinton has a wealth of experience, but Obama, who also is a Harvard graduate, has a fountain of knowledge and will make up for any lack of experience by surrounding himself with knowledgeable people.
She said Obama has ample experience at the grass roots level, which contributes to his visionary quality and ability to think outside of the box.
But Robinson said she’s concerned some will mistakenly see Obama as “the silver bullet that will solve all of our problems” if he wins or give in to apathy, if he doesn’t.
“No matter what happens, we’ll have change, and people on the ground level must continue to work for positive change,” she said.
Proceeds from the Freedom Fund dinner and a silent auction held during the event will go to efforts by the NAACP to advocate for political, educational, social, and economic equality for all citizens and to educate the public about racial discrimination.
Currently the organization is focused on the following areas: economic empowerment, voter registration and education, anti-Affirmative Action movement, youth programs and community health-related issues, such as AIDS, cancer and drugs.
(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)
