"Many people have written letters questioning the appropriateness of Frank Knott’s use of the word ‘colored’; some defending and some criticizing. This is certainly an important but obviously divisive subject and so I think we would all like to see this issue resolved. Perhaps we could call on some respected national organization for their opinion on this matter. For example, I would be interested to know what the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization has to say. You know the one, (Many of us have trouble remembering what the letters stand for.) it’s called the NAACP."

--Bing Preston

One of our articles on the Knott "colored" issue actually does include a statement from the local NAACP president, V. Anne Smith:

"V. Anne Smith, president of the Spokane Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said Monday that while the term is part of her organization’s name, it has long been unacceptable for use when referencing an individual.

" 'If he had somebody on the board that was African American, he wouldn’t use this term,' Smith said. "It has been many years since Mr. Boston was on the board.' "

Is a name change in order for the NAACP, or is this just a sarcastic allegation of double standards in terminology?

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