THE UPS AND DOWNS OF MEMBERSHIP!

By: Brian McCoy © 2004

 

A SUMMARY OF THE STORY:

This is pretty much the way most attempts to get NAACP membership goes. Whether it’s really easy, because the person is positive or either the person is not educated on the NAACP and its history.  This skit tells the story.  It comes from a collection of events that happened with the UAB NAACP Chapter.

 

Scenario #1 (easy)

(Guy walking to class notices his friend putting up NAACP flyers)

 

Aaron:             Hey man what’s up

Jude:               Nothing, chillin, putting up these flyers for my organization.

Aaron:             Oh yea man so how’s the NCAA doing?

Jude:               The what?

Aaron:             The NCJA.

Jude:               What?

Aaron:             The NABJ.

Jude:               Who?

Aaron:             You know, the NBC; how’s that going?

(LAUGH track)

Jude:               Oh you mean the NAACP?

Aaron:             Yea, that too, how’s that going?

Jude:               Its going fine, we just won the Best College Chapter of the Year Award.

Aaron:             Oh, for real?

Jude:               Yea and our president was named one of the sexiest men alive in Ebony Magazine.

Aaron:             Dang, for real?

Jude:               Nahh, he wrote this skit.  Talking about he’s sexy; man, that boy look like a Jamaican Mexican.

(LAUGH track)

Aaron:             So tell me more about the NAACP.

Jude:               Well, we were founded in 1909 because black people were getting hanged around that time.  So, something had to be done and a group of black and white folks created the NAACP.  We are mainly a civil rights organization that works for equal rights for all minorities. 

Aaron:             That sounds cool.  So, how can I join?

Jude:               Just fill out this application and bring your membership dues to a meeting.  It would be $15 dollars for you since you’re 20.

Aaron:             Cool, let me write this check now.

Jude:               Thanks man.

 

Scenario #2 (the usual)

 

(Sitting at info table)

Alicia:             Hey would you like to join the NAACP?

Jamil:              Nawl, whats that?

Alicia:             It’s a civil rights organization on campus.

Jamil:              What ya’ll do?

Alicia:             Well we do a lot; voter registration, community service, we have a gospel concert, a fashion show, we answer civil rights calls.  We do a lot.  So would you like to signup.

Jamil:              Iono gul.

Alicia:             Why not?

Jamil:              Shoot, ya’ll don’t have parties?  I like to twirk.  Do ya’ll twirk?

Alicia:             Sometimes, I guess.

Jamil:              how much it cost to join?

Alicia:             $15 if you under 21.

Jamil:              (LOUD)           $15 dollars!!!!! Dang girl. What ya’ll gone do with the money?  I ain’t got no $15 dollars.  So I can’t join if I don’t pay? 

Alicia:             No.  Didn’t you pay more than $15 dollars when you joined your sorority?

Jamil:              What you trying to say?  Jesus, I know I don’t have to slap a NAACP chicken head up in here.

Alicia:             Girl quit calling Jesus.  He don’t know you. 

(LAUGH TRACK)

I’m just saying that $15 dollars isn’t much when you compare it to other national organizations.  That’s all I’m trying to say. 

Jamil:              Well I guess you’re right.  Okay, Ill join.

Alicia:             So, what committee do you want to be on?

Jamil:              Well I can’t do nothing because I work.

Alicia:             Well I work too, 8 to 5 everyday and go to class and I’m a chapter executive.

Jamil:              Well, I work all day.  6am to 4am Monday thru Sunday.  Mhmmm,  sure do.

Alicia:             Girl you do not work 6am to 4am.  If you work that time, then don’t you suppose to be at work right now?

Jamil:              Oh..um yea…gotta go.  (runs off)  (screams)  And don’t cash that check till next Friday or you gone come up short.