The 45th Annual NAACP Image Awards are just around the corner.February 22nd, 2014 is the date. It will be shown on TV One starting at 8pm Eastern Standard Time and should prove to be a rather interesting spectacle as usual. If you are into award shows, then you will enjoy this one.

However, there are a few problems I have with the NAACP Image awards and their list of nominees that doesn’t include an exclusive list of African Americans or black people. The list is littered with everyone from white, latino, asian, and other nationalities.

Why Should The NAACP Image Awards Only Be Given To African Americans?

I have nothing against any of these nationalities, but how in the world is the NAACP Image awards going to be given to anyone else but our people? Isn’t the purpose of the awards to bring light and advancement to those in the black community who are often over looked by the mainstream, white oriented award shows? Then, what gives?

Allow me to give you my reasons these Image awards should be focused on and dedicated to our people.

Celebration of Our Talent

Our community has a wide array of talent that needs to be celebrated. Let these talented actors and performers have their moment in the sun under the love, praise and glory of their people showing appreciating for what they do. They have given to our lives in special, artistic ways and deserve an opportunity to show their appreciation for the fans that support them as well.

Promoting other nationalities during this time only takes away from their opportunities to be seen an shown in a positive light for all their hard work.

Demonstration of Unity 

They say black people won’t or can’t stick together. It is a stereotype that has haunted us since this country started. Many things in the black community we all argue or differ over, but unity is something everyone agrees is needed. However, decisions like this by the NAACP Image Awards only goes to drive more division in our community and highlights the lack of unity among us.

Expression of Pride

Doesn’t it feel good when one of your favorite artist from our community cross the state to receive an award or some sort of recognition? It isn’t us personally, but in spirit we are with them. Why can’t we have a full night of this? By focusing on the black community across the board will give us one night of celebration of us, and only us.

I think this is something that is much needed in the community. All we see are negative images in this corporate driven media, so to have one night of positive images and celebration of our stars will do us some good. It is bad enough the station is white owned, is it necessary the winners of the awards are as well?

To Adhere to the Original Purpose of the NAACP

How about the NAACP live up to their creed? The organization was formed to help black and African American people up the ladder of success. To pull these former Kings and Queens turned slaves from the mud and gravel they have found themselves back to their former glory.

Instead, the NAACP is doing what it always does, capitulates and seeks acceptance from the greater white society instead of focusing on their people. If we just focus on one another, spend our money with one another, support one another, we will never need anyone else. But once again, the NAACP proves they don’t believe we are our own solution and want to make sure they keep their white handlers happy with how they are using the scraps they are given.

White People Have Their Shows And Don’t Need Advancing

If you allow me to be blunt and to the point, white people have their own shows. They are always honoring, lifting up their stars and entertainers, so why include them in the one spotlight we have? It makes no sense and it is moves like this that continue to erode the little credibility the NAACP has with the people, particularly the younger generations.

That is my take on why the NAACP should only honor black or African American actors and entertainers at their awards show. What say you?