Cornell William Brooks Statement on Presidential debates. Brooks is the president and CEO of the NAACP:
“Last night’s debate showed the vast difference in the presidential candidates’ understanding of the African-American community and the impact of systemic racism. In this election, reforming our criminal justice system is on the ballot. Reducing gun violence through common-sense gun laws is on the ballot. Protecting our right to vote is on the ballot. Equal pay for women is on the ballot. And, so is education reform, lifting people out of poverty, advancing smart community policing, college affordability, fair federal budgets and ending violence against women.
The only way to ensure we have progress on these issues is to vote. The only way to make certain we have our seat at the table is to vote. And, the only way to prevent others from defining our agenda is to vote. Too much is at stake for our community for us to choose not to exercise that right.
Moreover, the NAACP has long stood against the discriminatory and ineffective practice of stop-and-frisk. The stop-and-frisk program in New York City was one of the worst racial profiling programs in this country. It violated the constitutional rights of thousands of Black and Latino New Yorkers. It is imperative that Black Americans #StayWokeAndVote this election.”
