The relevance of black movements like the US-based National Association for the Advanced of Coloured People (NAACP) and Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) were brought into focus recently with the celebration of several anniversaries. The relative low-keyed celebrations should be a wake-up call to these organisations.

During what most see as the height of discrimination against black people, these organisations were seen as very important in the fight for 'equal rights'. Many of the changes made to laws that have to do with the treatment of black people were credited to their activities. The state of these societies then made them relevant.

Today, however, blacks have equal opportunities in these societies. The purpose of these movements, therefore, must change with the times. Instead of chasing ghosts from the past, the NAACP, the UNIA and others must seek to eliminate the social contradictions within black societies.

The continued refusal of these movements to take on the non-racial inter-black discriminatory policies and activities will ensure that they will be seen by forward-thinking people as hypocritical. They can no longer expect to be seen as credible if they continue to condemn one form of discrimination and approve another.

I am, etc.,

MICHAEL A DINGWALL

michael_a_dingwall@hotmail.com