March 29, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

Varner returns with hope> Local NAACP leader attended convention

BANGOR — Fresh from an NAACP gathering in Pittsburgh, the leader of the group’s local chapter aimed Friday to help spread some of the inspiration and enthusiasm he said he found there.

James Varner, president of the Greater Bangor Area NAACP, was among the 11 delegates who represented Maine at the 88th annual convention of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People July 12-18. The event drew 7,000 people, as well as a stream of nationally known speakers.

Though there was much to report from the national gathering during a media briefing at the federal building in downtown Bangor, Varner noted that a great deal can be done locally to champion the rights of people and to help end racism.

“The solution to these problems starts with you. It’s you as an individual talking about it,” Varner said.

One way to help eliminate racism, Varner said, is to tackle the issue in the home, at church, in school and at social clubs in the hope that the dialogue will prompt change at local and state government levels.

“If not now, when? If not now, when are we going to put an end to a practice that we all know in our hearts is wrong?” Varner said.

Though incidents of racism are relatively infrequent here in Maine, they do occur, Varner observed, citing such events as a cross burning in Augusta and the destruction of homes in which black people live.

“Maine is not isolated. We’re very much in the mix,” Varner said.

Citing figures from a state report on hate crimes released last year, Varner said African-Americans — who comprise only 2.2 percent of Maine’s population — were the victims in 35 percent of the hate crimes that occurred during the time period covered in the report.

That ratio, Varner said, “is grossly out of proportion.”

Despite that, Varner said his hopes for Maine are high.

“Mainers seem to be a very unique population,” he said. “They seem to want to do what’s right. Mainers are reasonable, loving people.”

The local chapter of the NAACP will resume regular meetings in September, Varner said.


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