Two NIU students are tackling racism because they feel the Black Student Union can’t handle the job by itself while the BSU adviser agrees and looks forward to the help.

James Anderson and John Quilico started the NIU chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in April to create a connection with the university to handle racial problems. Anderson is chapter president.

“We felt that the BSU was going out of their boundaries,” Anderson said, referring to the group’s handling of racial issues. He said the NAACP is more geared toward the handling of minority problems and justice than the BSU.

Black Student Union Director Admasu Zike agreed the NAACP is better suited to handle minority legal manners than the BSU. Also, he said he does not foresee any conflict between the two groups.

“Everyone should do their part (in fighting racial injustice) and everything will be fine,” Zike said.

Anderson also said the chapter is multi-racial and concerned with all minorities’ rights, not only blacks’. “It would be something to unite all the minority students,” he said.

The organization is now funded by membership fees, but it is trying to get Student Association recognition, which could make student funds available.

However, Chapter Adviser Willard Draper said the NAACP isn’t out to raise money unless it is for a specific purpose.

“They (the NAACP) are not about the issue of raising money, they are about the business of looking out for minority rights,” Draper said.

The basic membership fee is $3 for a card and participation, $5 to receive the official NAACP magazine Crisis, and $10 for members over 21 years old.

The chapter has about 80 members and is the nation’s largest civil rights organization with about 400,000 members and 1,800 chapters.