Letter to the Editor appeared in the local newspaper July 6, 2009
"If Not Now, When?

Now, the Crittenden County Branch NAACP would like to go on record in support of Dr. Palmer Quarrels as principal of West Memphis High School.

We Know that a person has been hired as principal of the school However, we as members of the Crittenden County Branch did not agree with the choice made by the West Memphis School Board. We give high regards and congratulations to the one school board member who felt that Dr. Quarrels should have been given the opportunity to serve as the principal of West Memphis High School. The reason we feel that Dr. Quarrels should have been given the opportunity to serve as principal of the West Memphis School are:

1. She is qualified with a Dr. Degree in School Administration.


2. She has experience - she has served as teacher, assistant principal at two schools - Wonder Jr. High - West Memphis Sr. High.


3. She live in the community, know the students and parents.


4. We feel Dr. Quarrels could have been an excellent choice to continue to promote excellence in the school.

The NAACP has a six point plan

1. Protection of Civil Rights


2. Educational Excellence


3. Youth Outreach


4. Voter Empowerment


5. Economic and Community Development


6. Membership Increase

As you can see Civil Rights is our Number 1 plan The NAACP is a civil Rights Organization that fight for Civil Rights of people at the local , state and national level.

We feel that injustice has been done to Dr. Quarrels the community should realize that the struggle continues. If not now, when? When will we speak up and out against injustice to people?

The National NAACP will be 100 years old this year. For 100 years the NAACP has been fighting against injustice toward people, just when we think we have rose above injustice it appears again.

This letter was submitted by Willie Catha Jones, President of Crittenden County NAACP.