Elder Bernice A. King says conflict 'suffocating' SCLC; Asks prayer for the civil rights organization
  |
NNPA Exclusive
By Hazel Trice Edney
NNPA Editor-in-Chief
NEW YORK (NNPA)—Elder Bernice A. King, elected nine months ago as the first woman president to serve at the helm of the Atlanta-based Southern Christian Leadership Conference, has yet to be sworn in due to circumstances that she has described as “a sad state of affairs”.
Speaking publicly for the first time about the debilitating strife and conflict that has erupted in the 53-year-old civil rights organization and landed in court, King was pointed and clear. The second daughter and youngest child of Dr. Martin Luther King and Corretta Scott King, she told the attentive audience of more than 200 members of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, the Black Press of America, that the infighting has been heart-rending.
“Up until now, I have not spoken publicly about the conflict and turmoil currently suffocating, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, an organization of such significant historic importance to the black community, America and global progress. What a timely and wonderful occasion for me to express some of my thoughts and feelings about the great organization my father cofounded. God certainly has a way of orchestrating the proper audience, at the proper time,” King said June 17, opening a luncheon speech during NNPA’s 70th Anniversary Convention. “As SCLC’s president-elect and daughter of its founder, I am, of course, deeply troubled and saddened by the strife and conflict the organization is experiencing. It is, indeed, a sad state of affairs. I was elected to serve as SCLC’s first female president in October 2009 and as soon as I was elected—turmoil erupted. Amidst the conflict, chaos and confusion, there are some who declare the Southern Christian Leadership Conference dead; an organization of a bygone era.”
Although the organization is no stranger to conflict, the current fight started last fall over the removal of two former board members, ex-chairman Raleigh Trammell and ex-treasurer Spiver Gordon, after allegations that the two mismanaged SCLC funds. Since then, the crux of the infighting has been over who are the true board members. The two men have refused to step aside despite federal and local investigations. The split has essentially become like two SCLCs.
The feud between two factions came to a head over an alleged break-in at the group’s Atlanta headquarters.
According to reports, the Rev. Markel Hutchins, who claims he was recently named interim president, CEO and CFO of the group, welded shut the back doors of the headquarters and padlocked three gates May 17.
His rivals, including SCLC Chairwoman Sylvia Tucker, contend his claims to the presidency and other positions are bogus and, in a statement, called his actions “criminal and deplorable.”
Hutchins said there was no theft, but admits he made the decision to secure the building.
“I am not responsible for the mess the SCLC is in, but I will be responsible for helping to right some of the wrongs and get the organization back on course to fulfill its mission,” he was quoted by the Associated Press. The padlocks and chains were removed from the building on May 19.
The factional breech is obviously deep. The battle has been raging in court as well for months with different factions raising a series of legal challenges attempting to secure their position and claim leadership of the organization. The issue still remains unresolved with King still not seated as president.
In its long history, the SCLC has been no stranger to controversy. Nearly seven years ago, it concluded a convention in Jacksonville, Fla., that was so contentious that police was called to keep the peace. Bernice King’s brother, Martin Luther King III ended his seven-year tenure of leading the organization in 2004.
Bernice King exuded the passion and vision of her father and the poise and resolve of her mother as she expressed both hope and disdain in the midst of the latest crisis.
“Once the court hearing is resolved, it is my hope and prayer that SCLC will see the absolute necessity of immediately turning its attention to rebuilding the entire organization from the inside out; with proper governance, internal controls, fiscal accountability and sound management practices, so that it can effectively be about the business of social progress; predicated upon an unwavering love for God, responsibility to community, and a commitment to advancing human dignity and respect,” she said. “God called me to lead the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and as long as He calls, I will answer. I look forward to beginning my tenure in God’s time so that SCLC can once again forge strategic alliances to continue the movement of nonviolent social change, based on biblical principles, into the next generation. I ask for your prayers that SCLC will be a phoenix rising out of the ashes. I hope that you will join me in looking past the regrettable conflict, toward a bright and promising future.” King appealed to NNPA, under the leadership of Los Angeles Sentinel Publisher Danny Bakewell Sr., NNPA chair, to escalate the historic mission of the Black Press in its quest for justice alongside the SCLC and other civil rights organizations.
“I believe that the power of the Black Church and black uplift organizations —partnered with the power of the African American press—can be a catalyst for the next generation of social change. We have certainly accumulated enough power to enforce change,” King said. “Together we can make events happen. Our ‘nettlesome task’ now is to organize our power, focus our efforts and utilize our collective strength in strategic ways not yet employed in the work of social progress for the black community. We must now take the major step of “examining the levers of power” which Black America “must grasp to influence the course of events” adversely affecting the progress of our people.”
This is part of the July 28, 2010 online edition of Frost Illustrated.
Have an opinion on this matter? We'd like to hear from you. Click here.