by Rob Taylor Jr.
Courier Staff Writer
Contrary to what he called the “naysayers,” Pittsburgh NAACP President Richard A. Stewart Jr. said the local NAACP and its members are “working hard”—working hard to promote non-violence in Black communities, working hard to let residents know that coronavirus is still a huge problem, and working hard to fight on behalf of local Blacks when they experience discrimination.
“Whether you might see them (NAACP members) out in the streets, in the community, they’re working. Either from home or some office, they’re working. On the phone, every day, they’re working,” Stewart said. “And it’s disheartening when you hear people say, ‘NAACP is not doing what they’re supposed to do.’ We’re working, and this is not a paid position, this is all volunteer work, because we love it. So we keep coming here every day.”
The June 12 press conference in the Hill District was wide-ranging. On crime, Stewart said he is tired of White officers killing Blacks, and Blacks killing Blacks.
“We’re done dying,” he said, echoing the national NAACP campaign that’s being adopted by many local branches across the country.
Felicia Alexander leads the health committee for the Pittsburgh NAACP.
On health, the NAACP is very well aware that coronavirus is disproportionately affecting Allegheny County’s Black community. The organization wants more Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for front-facing workers, and more information shared from officials about COVID-19 that is “culturally sensitive.”
Allegheny County officials have stopped all on-site alcohol consumption for bars and restaurants in the county, following an alarming rise in COVID-19 cases over the past week. On June 28, the county reported 96 new cases, the highest one-day total ever. That was followed by 83 new cases on Monday, June 29. Blacks in Allegheny County, as of June 29, account for 24 percent of all coronavirus cases, 10 percentage points higher than the Black population of the county. When it comes to hospitalizations, Blacks account for 31 percent, and in the deaths category, Blacks account for 19 percent in the county.
Billy Joe Jordan is third vice-president for the Pittsburgh NAACP.
On civil rights, Billy Joe Jordan, the third vice-president of the local NAACP, took the microphone. He leads the committee in charge of connecting local Black residents with attorneys to help with possible discrimination cases that residents may have against, say, an employer.
“We have gotten jobs back (for people) because we’re a nationally known organization,” Jordan said at the news conference. He said the local NAACP assisted roughly 100 people in 2019 with certain cases.
“That does not get out, it’s never in the news, you never hear about it, but a lot of people (have gotten) help here,” Jordan said.
When reporters at the news conference began asking questions to NAACP members, the primary topic was the first topic the NAACP addressed—crime.
“Some of these parents are scared of their kids, I’m sorry to say, to talk to them, or address it,” Stewart said. “I did that with my kids at an early age. And they knew I didn’t tolerate it (crime), because I worked in law enforcement.”
Stewart encouraged neighbors to “talk to these kids, show love, you gotta tell them you care. And when you catch them doing something, address it. Don’t just keep going. Address it.”
FEATURED IMAGE: Richard A. Stewart Jr., the Pittsburgh NAACP president, speaks at a press conference, June 12. (Photos by Courier photographer J.L. Martello)
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