By TASHA BAILEY

lba011@latech.edu

 

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is continuing to try to make the organization more established.

Curbie Lowery, membership chair of NAACP and a junior elementary education major, said in the past, the organization did not participate in a lot of activities.

“We are trying to be bigger and better because in the past we haven’t had that many leaders or events,” Lowery said. “The membership of NAACP has increased greatly from last year.”

Ashley D’Aunoy, a member of NAACP and a freshman political science major, said she likes the way they take care of business.

“The meetings are conducted on a professional level, and everyone listens to everyone else’s opinions,” D’Aunoy said.

She said the members of NAACP are in the process of trying to make a name for themselves.

“A lot of students on Tech’s campus did not even know that we existed, so we are trying to change that,” D’Aunoy said.

Lowery said students of all races can join NAACP.

“The mission of NAACP is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all people and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination,” Lowery said.

D’Aunoy, who is also interracial, said students need to understand the phrase “colored people” does not just mean African Americans.

“I don’t understand why people think that this club is only for blacks when it’s the advancement of all ‘colored people,’” D’Aunoy said.

Tarviya Royal, president of NAACP and a sophomore biology major, said the majority of the events they have planned include NAACP Week, the Black History Talent Show and an NAACP Banquet, which will take place in February.

“We have other events beside those that take place in February; we do car washes, fundraisers and work the concession stand at the football games,” Royal said.

D’Aunoy said NAACP is dedicated to any project that it starts.

“When we have projects or fundraisers, we devote all of our time and energy to it until it is finished,” D’Aunoy said.

Royal said she wants more students to be involved in NAACP.

“I wish we had more student body support and participation from all races,” Royal said.

D’Aunoy said she is honored to be a part of an organization that strives to make a difference in people’s lives.

D’Aunoy said she was involved with the NAACP in high school and was excited to be in the national organization in college.

She said, “I’ve always wanted to be a part of NAACP … especially on a national level.”

NAACP meets every Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Multicultural Lounge, located in Tolliver Hall.