Open Letter to NAACP December 7, 2011:
Mr. Benjamin Jealous President & CEO NAACP 4805 Mt. Hope Drive Baltimore, MD 21215Ms. Hazel Dukes President NAACP, NY State Conference 1065 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 300 New York, New York 10018
RE: NAACP Proposed Redistricting Maps 15th Congressional District New York
Dear Mr. Jealous and Ms. Dukes:
I am writing you in response to the NAACP’s proposed redistricting maps, unveiled in the New York Daily News NYS NAACP Unveils Proposed Redistricting Maps on December 2, 2011. First, let me commend the NAACP on its diligence in fighting to ensure that our nation’s top legislative body reflects the rich diversity of our great country. However, I take issue with the proposed redistricting map of the 15th Congressional district in New York State.
Although the intentions of protecting “New York’s black Congressional districts” are noble, in the case of the 15th Congressional district such a proposal fails to consider that the 15th is already a clear black and brown majority population. At present, the black and Latino population of the 15th is over 70%. I believe that it is counter-productive to suggest that the 15th be designated a “black” Congressional district, when there are tens of thousands of Latino residents of African descent living in the 15th. More importantly, the black and Latino populations share almost identical cultural and economic barriers in the state of New York. And these two groups of the African tree have worked together for generations on issues such as access to jobs, decent housing, political representation and safe neighborhoods.
I have deep concerns whether the proposed map for the 15th will even pass judicial scrutiny. The NAACP plan would break up a contiguous district that is currently one of the most racially diverse congressional districts in the country. It proposes to replace it with a district that includes suburban Westchester County for the sole purpose of increasing the black population. The United States Supreme Court has held in numerous opinions that race cannot be the predominant factor in the drawing of a Congressional district. Bush vs. Vera, 517 U.S. 952 (1996). Given the fact that the 15th is already a majority black/brown district, the NAACP plan would likely be struck down, if it were ever implemented.
While I agree that the NAACP’s goal to protect minority representation in the upcoming redistricting, is of the utmost importance, the proposed NAACP plan as it relates to the 15th Congressional district would (1) create unnecessary tensions in the black/Latino population of Manhattan and (2) dilute the black/brown political power in Manhattan for the sole purpose of protecting “black” incumbents.
Therefore, I request that you reconsider the NAACP’s present stance on this issue and submit a new map for the 15th that maintains it’s contiguous geographical base in Manhattan and takes into account the rich Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Latino and African American heritage of our beloved Harlem. With only minor adjustment the 15th will remain a district that ensures that people of color maintain representation in Congress.
Thank you again for continued work on behalf of all people of color.
Sincerely,
Vincent S. Morgan
Cc:
Upper Manhattan Elected Officials
See the NAACP Proposed Map: CLICK HERE
Legal Brief filed on 2/17/2012: CLICK HERE
