Anti-Violence Social Media Campaign

WHEREAS, between 2000-2010, 78,521 African Americans have been murdered, with 66,291 being African American males; and

WHEREAS, the media has been focused on gun control legislation and mass killings, but has given little attention to the impact of violence on residents of poor and working class communities; and

WHEREAS, violence can destroy families for generations when death and incarceration occur, leaving other family members to raise children and shoulder additional financial responsibilities; and

WHEREAS, studies have shown it is much cheaper and far more beneficial to society for tax payer money to be invested in education and social programs than incarcerating individuals. For every $1 invested in education, society sees a return of $7 since the higher the level of education one attains, the less likely they are to commit crimes and the more likely they are to be a net consumer and not dependent on social services; and

WHEREAS, it needs to be stressed that that majority of these 78,521 murders are preventable if appropriate investments in education and equal access to resources are made; and

WHEREAS, many community focused organizations have successfully used non-traditional media to bring attention to critical social issues impacting quality of life across communities; and

WHEREAS, these campaigns have successfully integrated Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and other social media outlets, in conjunction with traditional media, to bring attention to their cause.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the NAACP reaffirm its commitment to fighting violence stated in these resolutions:

• 2010- Making Communities Smart and Safe through Violence Reduction

• 2010- Gun Violence Prevention and Safety at Public Events

• 2009 - National Day of Nonviolence

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP engage in a well-coordinated campaign to keep the effect of violent crime on communities at the forefront; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP use this campaign to call on citizens to contact Congress and demand that funds used for the failed war on drugs be redirected towards investment in educational programs and equal access to resources in order to improve the disconnect created between individuals and communities; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NAACP use this campaign to further highlight the organization's efforts to pass legislation that promotes equal access to and investment in education, which ultimately impacts crime and violence.