The nation’s oldest civil rights organization came to Houston, George W.’s house, to dis the man in the White House for his policies and practices since taking office.
In fact, his ascension to the highest office in the land remains a point of contention to the NAACP.
NAACP Chairman Julian Bond said, “George W. Bush owes his presidency to a dynasty, instead of a democracy.” Bond further predicted that African-Americans would turn out in record numbers again in the 2002 election.
“In 2002, we’re going to do it again.” Bond encouraged participants to vote. “Our future is on the ballot in all 50 states.”

Bond commented on Bush’s obvious hypocrisy when he appeared at the NAACP convention two years ago and the candidate vowed to protect civil rights.
“We knew he was in the oil business. We just didn’t know it was snake oil.”
The Rev. Jesse Jackson, the following day, said of the Bush administration, “Even though they lost the election, they are operating as if they had a mandate.”
Kwesi Mfume blasted Bush for his refusal to meet with the country’s oldest civil rights organization.
“You can’t be president of all the people if you only want to deal with some of the people.”
The NAACP also blasted the administration over its position on vouchers and a climate in which unchecked business practices are creating havoc with the economy.

Jackson also took the media to task for their scant coverage of the convention in Houston, expected to attract 15,000 participants. He noted that the CNN network had stories on a kleptomaniac, the Redneck Games in Georgia and the freezing of the late baseball player Ted Williams but only a ticker-tape item on the convention.
“Part of our challenge today is in the media,” he said. “We are seen through a keyhole rather than through a door.”

The convention concluded on July 11 and participants left knowing they had their work cut out for them--most importantly in the November elections.