The Ball State University chapter of the NAACP was officially inducted into the Youth and College division of the nationally renowned organization Wednesday.
The ceremony marked the return of Ball State's chapter after a 15-year hiatus from the university, making the group Indiana Unit No. 3732.
President of the Indiana chapter of the Youth and College division Ebony Roberts spearheaded the induction after working closely with the group's officers.
Ball State NAACP President Candice Jackson said having an official chapter on campus gives students with race-related issues a place to go.
"Personally, I've had my own experiences that I felt were unpleasant that needed their own attention and now I feel there is an organization to do so," Jackson said.
At the group's first meeting Thursday night, Jackson said it would talk about supporting a national petition in support of President Barack Obama. Signing the petition is a nationwide effort to protest the New York Post's cartoon that showed two men shooting a chimpanzee twice in the chest. The cartoon has one of the men saying 'we'll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill.' Jackson said the cartoon is a big deal because it's calling Obama a monkey.
Students who join the group will get a chance to expand their culture, Jackson said.
"This also gives students the opportunity to learn a lot about African-American culture as well as their own culture, and it's an opportunity for people to get involved and learn more about themselves, more about their history, because we are a part of history."
Despite the age of the organization, Roberts said there will always be a place for the NAACP and groups like it.
"There will always be those small-minded and racism-driven people," Roberts said. "As long as those people exist, there will be a place for the NAACP."
The group will meet every second and fourth Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in Teachers College Rm 101.
OfficersPresident: Candice JacksonVice President: Jerel LesueurSecretary: Brent LyleCorresponding Secretary: Cara CollinsTreasure: Tim RyanSergeant-at-Arms: Delorean Barksdale
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
