NAACP Board Chairman Julian Bond on Friday stressed the importance of continuing the struggle against discrimination in America, particularly in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

        Mr. Bond was in Cincinnati for the 16th annual South Central Ohio Minority Business Council dinner.

        “Our world is forever changed,” he said. “The events of Sept. 11 showed we have not achieved victory over racism abroad or at home.”

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        Mr. Bond, an author and former Georgia legislator, spoke to a full house at the annual awards banquet and dance at the Hyatt Hotel. He is also a history professor in Washington, D.C., and directs the NAACP's publication, Crisis Magazine.

        The dinner, with the theme “Economic Inclusion: The Moral Imperative,” drew about 450.

        During the banquet, Toyota of Erlanger was honored as the council's 2001 Corporation of the Year.

        The awards for Minority Business Enterprise of the Year went to Michael Griffie, president of MIRG Corp. in St. Bernard; George Pillow, president of United Couriers Inc. in downtown; and Darraugh Butler, president of D. Butler Management Consulting in Woodlawn.

        About 70 awards were handed out to members of the Greater Cincinnati business community.

        During his address, Mr. Bond made it clear that the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People would continue to be an aggressive spokesman for the disinherited. He encouraged the audience to remain vigilant in striving for civil rights, economic justice and peace.

        Mr. Bond said opinion polls have shown that many white Americans believe that blacks and other minorities no longer face discrimination.

        “It has only been a short 36 years since all blacks were promised the rights of all citizens and now some are telling us those 36 years are enough,” he said. “To believe that is to embrace self-delusion over common sense.

        “We have work to do and it's not easy work,” he said.

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