One Woman Wants to Start a New Chapter of the NAACP

WILDWOOD – Mildred Johnson and a dozen supporters braved the frigid weather to meet at the Byrne Community Center in Wildwood Feb. 12. They gathered to discuss organizing a local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Johnson spent weeks publicizing the event, which she hopes will be the first of many in Wildwood.
Johnson told the audience of the hard times she had growing up in Cape May County. She recalled how she struggled economically and socially, even encountering difficulties with government institutions and having no organization to offer her effective support.
“There is a chapter of the NAACP in Whitesboro,” Johnson said, “and I went to them when I needed help. They helped as much as they could but really couldn’t do anything to help me.” Johnson felt that they had been told to “back off,” and were powerless to move forward in her case. This experience added to her motivation to organize her own Wildwood community and to reach out to young people.
“I want to put something in place for the next generation,” Johnson told her listeners. This includes setting up after school programs, in which students could be helped academically and educated culturally.” Where are the positive role models – the lawyers, doctors, accountants, mechanics,” said Johnson. “This is Black History month but what does the greater community know about the Black culture?”
Johnson envisioned events that would be open to the entire Cape May community and would showcase African American food, and traditional music, history and religious contributions. “There’s an Irish festival and Puerto Rican Day and we all are welcome to come and learn. I want people to know there is more to our culture than Hip Hop and Gansta Rap.” Johnson said such an event that welcomes all ethnic groups to share African American culture is long over due.
She also noted that racial relations were three steps forward and one step back. “You see us as Americans, pulling apart instead of standing hand in hand.” She said she wants the group to “seek to remove barriers through a democratic process.”
She reminded everyone that African Americans have done worse in the job market of any group despite the election of President Obama. “Jobs, housing and respect – these are the cries I’ve heard from the people,” declared Johnson.
Johnson also recounted a short history of the national group. The NAACP was an outgrowth of the Niagara Movement, a coalition of both white and black civil rights activists. It included such notables as W.E.B. DuBois, a black man and Mary White Ovington, a white woman. Its purview was originally not just equal rights for Americans of African ancestry but included Americans who were Italian or Irish Catholics. At the time, those two groups were considered “colored.” It was formally organized in 1910.
To be recognized as a local chapter, Johnson must recruit 50 dues paying members. All are welcome. In response to a question by Wesley Hills, Johnson said, “any creed, ethnic group or color was welcome as long as they stood for the equality of each person.” Hills also encouraged those present to “put the word out.”
Johnson said she and her coworker Karrena Leatherberry, handed out fliers, contacted the media and all the local churches.
“Only Father Wallace of the Catholic Church and Rev. Johnson of the Baptist Church got back to me,” said Johnson, adding that Father Wallace offered a space at Wildwood Catholic High School for future meetings.
Sly Williams was enthused at the idea of the community uniting to promote equality and opportunity for all people. “This will be a big benefit to the whole community,” he stated.
“It’s a work in progress. It’s a work in the name of peace,” Johnson reaffirmed. She invited anyone interested in helping her to build the organization to call her at (609) 600-0642 or email her at wisdomglory609@gmail.com.
To contact Helen McCaffrey, email hmccaffrey@cmcherald.com.