By Megan Sayles
AFRO Staff Writer
[email protected]
Day two of the NNPA Midwinter Training Conference featured remarks from the renowned civil rights attorney Ben Crump, founder of Ben Crump Law.
Ben Crump is working hand in hand with members of the Black press to ensure that the fight for civil and human rights continues. Credit: AP Photo
Crump gave a galvanizing address on the vitality of preserving the freedom and power of the Black press as attacks on Black history and diversity, equity and inclusion escalate.
Crump said African Americans across the country will require the leadership of the NNPA now more than ever in these perilous times.
“History will ask the question where were you when they tried to roll back our civil rights, when they tried to destroy diversity, equity and inclusion and when they tried to say to our children that Black history doesn’t matter,” said Crump. “I make the argument to you all that this time in history we must challenge the souls of Black people at every opportunity we get because there will be some people who will take the past of least resistance, and we have to be ready to call them out.”
Crump has represented a number of high-profile clients whose loved ones died at the hands of police, including the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown. The attorney has also previously been honored by the NNPA, winning Newsmaker of the Year in 2014 and the Freedom-Fighting Legal Achievement award in 2020.
He contended that the Black press is the only entity who can hold the Black community, lawmakers and the president accountable, and they must be diligent in delivering hard-hitting news.
In light of the new administration, he acknowledged there will be challenges for African Americans. He encouraged them to embrace abolitionist Frederick Douglass’ perspective that without struggle there can be no progress.
“As long as we’re struggling that means we’re fighting, and as long as we’re fighting that means we’re progressing,” said Crump. “That’s what it’s about— making sure our Black children have a future that says that they have an equal opportunity to the American promise of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
He continued by emphasizing the importance of preparing Black youth to persevere and fight against any attempt to strip them of their rights. Crump said they must be well-armed to defend against the school to prison pipeline, the prison-industrial complex, voter suppression and the denial of access to quality health care and capital.
“We don’t want them to be well-armed with any means of assault weapons and violence,” said Crump. “We must make sure that our children are well-armed with intellect, diplomacy and strategic thinking. In the end, the press must make sure that our young children are more intelligent than those who would seek to oppress them. That’s why we have to stand at the frontline.”
