After five years of inactivity, the NAACP chapter of Worcester, Massachusetts has re-organized and elected a 28-year-old openly gay academic as its new president, reports the Boston Herald.
Ravi Perry, a political science professor at Clark University, was elected Saturday with a slated of new officers. The 28-year-old says he hopes that as an openly gay man he can help the storied civil rights group address long-ignored gay and lesbian issues in minority communities. Perry also said that most on the newly elected Worcester board are 40 years of age, signaling a generational shift within the NAACP.
Perry tweeted this on Feb. 23: "President Obama's declaration that DOMA is unconstitutional has changed the marriage equality debate significantly. Applause!"
Perry's appointment is welcome. Much of the NAACP is still largely controlled by traditional anti-gay black churches and ministers, such as Rev. Keith Ratliff, Iowa's leading black pastor and the anti-gay chair of the Iowa/Nebraska chapter.
In February 2010, the NAACP elected 44-year-old Roslyn Brock as its new chairwoman to replace the legendary Julian Bond. Brock joins 37-year-old NAACP President Benjamin Jealous—who has tried to engage LGBT issues— and both have pledged to make the veteran civil rights organization more relevant to today's black youth.
Watch Perry's election AFTER THE JUMP ...
CONGRATS!
Posted by: Steve R | 07 March 2011 at 15:26
I live in Worcester, MA! This is EXCITING NEWS! My best wishes to his new position.
Posted by: Account Deleted | 07 March 2011 at 15:55
This is great news. We are doing big things in Massachusetts! Bravo and congrats to the brilliant and handsome brotha.
Posted by: Blake | 07 March 2011 at 15:58
Incredible news. Congratulations! I hope he will be instrumental in developing and leading a strong chapter of this still important civil rights organization.
Posted by: FREELEO | 07 March 2011 at 16:29
YAY!
Posted by: BJ | 07 March 2011 at 16:40
Image control to central; 'Elect someone gay, black POST-STAT and you're 'covered' donors looove that -oh yeah; Make sure he's young and double his pay and perks and in 6-12 months get rid of him; think up an excuse, something cute, you know, something predictable and scandalous.
Posted by: Troy | 07 March 2011 at 17:11
Congratulations Ravi Perry.
Posted by: Cedric | 07 March 2011 at 17:51
Since no one else mentioned it, I think it's a bonus that Mr. Perry is pretty easy on the eyes.
Posted by: Jarron | 07 March 2011 at 17:57
Also, he's a cutie!
Posted by: Mike | 07 March 2011 at 17:57
Wow Troy. Who pee'd in your cornflakes?
Posted by: FREELEO | 07 March 2011 at 18:07
OMG! He is the spitting image (just a little bigger) of someone who was very dear to me. He could be his son.
I wish him the very best in his political career.
Congratulations!
Posted by: Honut Sinti | 07 March 2011 at 18:10
Excellent news. Congrats to Mr. Perry.
Posted by: Mel Smith | 07 March 2011 at 18:29
MUch success to him!
Posted by: Distant Lover | 07 March 2011 at 18:31
How come none of my professors were that fine and playing for our team too?
Rod, thank you!
I may have to go back and get my BA in POLI-SCI!
Posted by: Distant Lover | 07 March 2011 at 19:50
Exactly @ Distant Lover! Ravi Perry is my new crush, damn. Politically aware, accomplished, and fine? YES
Posted by: Mike | 07 March 2011 at 22:02
Ummm...submits transfer application to Clark University with intention of majoring in Poli Sci...SWOOOON LOL. Congrats Ravi!
Posted by: MW09 | 07 March 2011 at 23:38
This is beautiful. Much love and success to Professor Perry.
Posted by: Greg G | 07 March 2011 at 23:58
CONGRATS AS WELL!! Very happy to see that an important organization like the NAACP has representation that looks and can relate to me literally.
Posted by: BLACK | 08 March 2011 at 06:49
I am really excited about the mind and the mission of the beautiful brother!
Now, here's a sidebar statement, black people, black men, gay people, et al. WHAT DID WE MISS IN THE WATER IN MASSACHUSETTS?!?!? They've got full marriage! They've elected a brilliant black governor! They are making masterful strides in civil rights efforts! HELLO NYC! HELLO CALI! HELLO PEOPLE IN BIG CITIES "DOING BIG THINGS!" Somebody in Massachusetts needs to write a RALLYING CRY HANDBOOK, because like Kool Moe Dee (yes, I just aged myself and I don't care...LOL)...THEY GET THE JOB DONE!!!
Bravo to Professor (YES PROFESSOR!!!) Ravi Perry and the audacity of hope to take on a long-exhausted NAACP chapter and resuscitate it with fervor, vigor and a passion that is what birthed the NAACP's majestic legacy in the first place!!!!
Kudos & Accolades!
Posted by: TheRevKev | 08 March 2011 at 08:27
Um...he's hott!
Posted by: Willie | 08 March 2011 at 14:56
@ Rev: You are so right. Cambridge, Mass, elected not one, but two consecutive black gay mayors, Kenneth Reeves and Denise Simmons. And Ken Reeves (who has always been my particular crush) was the first black openly gay man to be a mayor of any municipality in the country.
So is it the beans? The clams? The cabbage?
Posted by: Jim | 09 March 2011 at 00:08