The head of the NAACP in Los Angeles has resigned following criticism of the chapter’s warm relationship with Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling despite his history of racial remarks.
The resignation of chapter President Leon Jenkins was announced Thursday night by the CEO of the Baltimore-based NAACP, Lorraine C. Miller. The NAACP, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, is the nation’s oldest civil rights organization, founded in 1909, and was deeply embarrassed.
In his letter of resignation, Jenkins said the “legacy, history and reputation of the NAACP is more important to me than the presidency. In order to separate the Los Angeles NAACP and the NAACP from the negative exposure I have caused the NAACP, I respectfully resign.”
Before the recent flare up over Sterling’s recorded racial comments to his friend, V. Stiviano, the chapter had planned on giving the Clippers owner a “lifetime achievement award” in a ceremony May 15. The organization canceled that ceremony after the publicity.
He had been chosen to receive the award because of his long history of donating to minority charities and giving game tickets to inner-city children, Jenkins said. The NAACP has honored Sterling several times in the past.
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SOURCE: FRED BARBASH
The Washington Post
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