In a modest room of a New York apartment 100 years ago, a group of like-minded progressive people met to form what would become the nation’s largest, most influential civil rights and social justice organization. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People as it would come to be known has for the course of 100 years remained true to its founding principles. As stated in the mission statement, “to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.”

Throughout this year of celebrating the founding anniversary, one would do good to reflect upon the last 100 years and all of the changes and progress that has been made. Conversely, one also must look and reflect on the still more changes that must be made to move us in the direction of the beloved community.

I cannot even conceptualize the racial climate that existed early in the 1900s. African-Americans were still relatively fresh out of legal slavery and were trying to carve our rightful place in American society. It was a bold thing and took a tremendous amount of courage to challenge the status quo during such a time. Nevertheless it was progressive-thinking change agents who recognized the need and sought to provide the solution.

In that the NAACP is a grass-roots organization, it continues to give birth to some of America’s brightest and most forward-thinking leaders. With a commitment to intergenerational interaction, it has served as a preparation ground for an immeasurable amount of young people since its dawn. In comparison to 1909, these likewise are the best of times. Yet they remain the worst of times. That being the case, the need for such an august civil rights organization is warranted as much in 2009 as it was in 1909. While we cannot be lynched legally from a tree, we continue to be lynched politically, educationally, socially and economically. I am sure they never imagined that 100 years later almost to the date of its February founding that a black man would take an oath of office to the highest elected office in the land because of their efforts.

The remarkable thing about time and its relationship to history is that they are panoramic in nature and by design allow us to simultaneously reflect upon the past and look and plan strategically toward the future. As the NAACP and the country together celebrate the centennial anniversary, I for one continue to be inspired, encouraged and challenged by the historical precedence set and future that is promised. I am forever proud to be affiliated 100 yars later as an active life member of an organization that continues to find hurts that need healing and problems that need solving.

Perhaps the poet Robert Frost encompasses my sentiments best as he stopped by the woods one evening: “The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But there are promises to keep, and miles to go, before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep.”

The Rev. Douglas Demetrius Prather, civil/human rights activist, is a native of Atlanta and former member of the NAACP national board of directors.

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