The NAACP, the oldest and most powerful Civil Rights organization in America, is going to Honor former Green Czar Van Jones with an Image Award. The NAACP is stating that he is a pioneer in the “green collar jobs” with movement. This well deserved award is so ironic as roughly 6 months ago, Fox News Anchor Glenn Beck single handedly caused a furor within the conservative right community that led to Mr. Jones Resignation. Beck took a series of Van’s remarks out of context and blew them out of proportion, leading to unwanted negative attention on the newly appoint ‘czar’ on green economy.
Where the irony lies is that the NAACP Image Awards are aired each year by the Fox Network, and is a prestigious awards show that honors the achievements of people of color and their allies for advancements in the areas, of Music, Movies, Social justice and Civil rights!!! I am sure that Glenn Beck sat in astonishment as the NAACP announced that Van Jones would be receiving the Presidents Award. The Presidents Award is the most prestigious award handed out at the NAACP Image Awards and has been awarded to others such as President Bill Clinton, Muhammad Ali and Ruby Dee just to name a few. Awarding Mr. Jones an award such as this directly counteracts the damage that Glenn Beck and other conservatives have to leverage on many progressives that President Obama has placed in his administration.
Many in the movement, those who fight for green collar jobs, environmental and climate justice and all other aspects of the green movement, felt betrayed and hurt by the resignation of Mr. Jones as their one ally that they trusted left them in the dust. Yet in the end, justice comes full circle the very same network that worked to lead Jones to his resignation will also be showing his return to Glory!!! Don’t you just love Karma? Maybe Glen Beck and others will realize that you can’t keep a “ Good Man Down”!!!!
In addition to Mr. Jones receipt of the Image Award, Mr. Jones will also be joining Princeton and the Center for American Progress. This is return to glory for Mr. Jones, and I cannot wait to see how he will continue to fight for the underserved in his new endeavors. Please tune in on Friday February 26th at 8pm on FOX network to watch the 41st NAACP Awards, and the rise of one of America’s Brightest and most influential minds today.