Happy Holidays From Your NAACP Fam!

Shout out to our Fall 2011 grads Bianca Howard, Lauren Walker, Chaz Garvin, and  Reginald Rainge!

A little learning, indeed, may be a dangerous thing, but the want of learning is a calamity to any people. -Frederick Douglass

Above: Our members right after our "End of the Year Social".

Live Chat Replay: Stefanie Brown

Stefanie Brown, NAACP's National Field Director/Director, Youth & College Division, joins us as our inaugural guest for our live video chat session. Stefanie talks civil rights, the NAACP's role today, leadership and life balance.

Stay tune for the next LIVE CHAT!

For more info, go to www.NAACPConnect.org

VOTE IN THE LOCAL ELECTIONS ON TUESDAY!

How do I know if i'm registered to vote? And where do I vote?
Visit http://www.sos.georgia.gov/MVP/Login.aspx to find out about your voter registration status, Poll Location, Elected Officials and even a sample ballot for the upcoming election is available.

When do I vote?TOMORROW, TUESDAY, polls are open from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. on each election day. Any voter who is waiting in line to vote at 7:00 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

What am I voting for?

Alcohol Referendum, Mayoral Race, City Council at Large Seats, and the School Unification question.

Why should I vote?Your vote is your voice in the governance of your city, county, state and country. As a citizen, you declare your rights and privileges with your vote. Contrary to popular belief, one vote - your vote - does make a difference.

Even though most of us may not be from Valdosta, VSU is very much connected to the Valdosta community educationally and economically. Our chapter has many local sponsors and supporters that need us to show up at the polls.

This is what NAACP is all about! NAACP is actively engaged in helping people to use the power of their voice by voting. With an aim to increase the young electorate turnout (18-29), the NAACP continues to make voter education a priority. Depending on our regional, state and local units for ongoing electoral work, the NAACP will lead in the struggle for voting rights in the field of grassroots advocacy.

Reducing Your Student Loan Debt: Barack Obama's Plan to Help College Students

Nearly six million students who have both guaranteed and direct loans will soon be able to refinance them and get a discount under President Barack Obama's student loan debt reform plan: "Help Americans Manage Student Loan Debt". You'll only have to write one check a month and within a year it will ensure that more than 1.6 million college students won't be required to make loan repayments over 10% of their income.

President Obama's plan will make college more affordable for students. All remaining debt is forgiven after 20 years of payments for college students. Debt is forgiven after 10 years for teachers, nurses, members of the armed forces, and others in public service careers.

These are just some of the important repayment options designed to make student loan repayments more affordable. All of this progress builds off student loan reform President Obama signed into law in 2010. All of this progress makes sure that more students from working and middle class families can get college educations and the opportunities that come with them.

Bankers don't get to be middlemen for student loans anymore. We saved $68 billion dollars by taking them out of the equation and a lot of the money is going towards loans and grants to make college more affordable for more people.

Share this news and join the movement. President Obama needs your voice to be heard. He needs you to tell Congress that reforms like this are what we're fighting for.

More information here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/10/26/how-president-obama-helping-lower-monthly-student-loan-payments

Where We Stand Debate: College Democrats and College Republicans

(click picture to enlarge)

One of our biggest events of the year on November 3rd at 7pm in Jeanette Lecture Hall (Room 1111), College Democrats and College Republicans: Where We Stand Debate. We will be hosting a debate which will include an experienced moderator and an intelligent discussion about many relative issues that we hear about and face everyday including local issues as well. This is a one of a kind of event and you can guarantee it will be a heated debate and discussion between the two. (Refreshments will be served)

Showing No Signs of Slowing Down!

By Valencia Williams
Press and Publicity Coordinator

Forget the phrase, “No good deed goes unpunished”, because Valdosta State University NAACP’s hard work is definitely rewarded. Despite close speculation from local, state, and national levels, this student organization did not falter in their determination to impact their campus with various meetings, events, and new ideas. Several college chapters were in attendance at the 69th Annual Georgia NAACP State Convention September 30th-October 2nd, but VSU NAACP was distinguished from the rest, as chapter President, DeAndre Jones and his executive board members humbly received significant awards for their efforts. The first of these awards was the College Chapter of the Year Award. The required qualifications met included: 25 paid members, completed year-end financial and activity reports, activities sponsored by Education, Political Action, Public Relations, membership, and Employment committees. Also, monthly and executive mass meeting were required. The chapter also received the Southwest District Award and VSU NAACP’s Employment and Economic Empowerment chair, Paul Rosemond, was recognized as he VSU NAACP received Best Economic Empowerment Programming. VSU NAACP is not only proud to be the recipients of such dignified honors, but takes pleasure in being a credible student organization of leaders that their campus can count on at all levels.

VSU NAACP's photostream

VSU NAACP's photostream on Flickr.

VSU Reacts to Troy Davis Outcome

VSU's The Spectator

Date: Sep 22nd, 2011 • Categories: 2011-09-22, Fall 2011, News, Top Headlines • 47 views 

By:Mikayla Beyer

The mood was somber outside West Hall on Wednesday night as the VSU NAACP gathered to pay tribute to Troy Davis at the scheduled time of his execution.

“I feel it is pretty pitiful the justice system did not grant this man clemency,” Valious Smith, NAACP member said.

“They are killing an innocent man with pretty much no evidence.”

The group gathered together right before 7 p.m., holding hands in a circle while being lead in a prayer.

Some people cried, and as a bell from a nearby church struck seven o’clock, the group continued to hold hands as the VSU NAACP president, Deandre Jones, spoke to the group before they disbanded.

The supporters were all in for a surprise, however. At the last minute, it was announced that his execution had been delayed.

The Supreme Court had decided to grant a temporary stay to Davis, but after three and half hours of deliberation, Davis was sentence to execution by lethal injection at 11:08 p.m.

Many students expressed their opinions through outlets like Twitter and Facebook, but some students believed that it was too little too late.

“It shouldn’t take something like this to get people together,” Akua Twenewaa, a nursing major and member of the African Student Association, said. “But I was just thinking that prayer is powerful.”

The VSU NAACP and the ASA have seen their efforts to help Davis at least temporarily rewarded, but not everyone was thrilled about the sudden attention the case has seen.

“Here they are coming up to the last minute and coming up with stuff that is not true,” Anneliese MacPhail, the mother of victim Mark MacPhail, told WLTZ 38 News in an interview Wednesday.

“You had the chance and you didn’t. I think he got a fair trial, his peers found him guilty, let’s get this over with.”

One piece of the case that many people calling for clemency cite is the fact that seven of the original nine witnesses have recanted their earlier testimony, and one of the original witnesses is now thought by many to be the real murderer of MacPhail.

Supporters of Davis insist there is too much doubt for this case to warrant a death sentence in this case.

“I’m proud of the international community for coming out to support Troy Davis at this time,” Jones said. “There was no evidence in this case.”