O.C. Graham was once like the rest of us. He liked to party, said Aljoseph Carnegie, president of the Tri-County Branch of the NAACP at its 19th Annual Freedom Fund Banquet at Tommy Usher Community Center in Chiefland on Oct. 24.

“He liked to party until God took him in,” Carnegie, a Raleigh resident, said. “And he was blind, really blind, until God restored his sight.”

Graham, now Brother O.C. Graham, was the keynote speaker for the banquet that drew about 60 people. The program included praise dance, song, and Graham's fiery, physical speech style.

“I had been blind one time, but God saw fit to give it back,” he said. “And when God decides to change your heart, He is going to change your heart.”

The hearts Graham tried to change Saturday night were those belonging to “daddies” and the “village”.

He reminded listeners that at one time everyone kept their eye on the children of the community and if they did not keep the children straight, they sent them home to their parents, especially the daddy, to keep the child on the straight and narrow.

“A short while back people knew where children were. Now if you ask what are you doing here, they call that nosey,” Graham said. “What we need is men to step up to the plate and be men. When the devil throws you a curve you hit it right back at him. And if he throws it back, you hit it right back.

“And if he throws it again,” Graham said, all the while portraying a batter at the home plate swinging at an invisible ball with a nonexistent bat. “You keep sending it back.”

He said men need to stand up and win back the respect of their families. “How can I tell my son to pull his pants up when mine aren't up?”

Graham said the man should be the head of the house, and that is not to be interpreted that the man rules with complete submission. He said it means he takes responsibility.

Carnegie thanked the public officials who turned out for the dinner — County Commission Chair Nancy Bell of Chiefland, County Commissioner Lilly Rooks of Rosewood, and Vice Mayor Teresa Barron of Chiefland.

Elizabeth Carnegie of Raleigh issued a challenge to those gathered for the dinner to join the organization for $30 annually and $15 and $10 for youth.  She said that earlier this year the group fell below the required number to maintain its charter, but it has gotten back to the minimum and is seeking to grow.

Pastor Robert Scott of Chiefland reminded the group that the NAACP is one of the largest and oldest organizations in the country, celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. “Few people know that the person who started this organization wasn't black. It was a white man.”

He also told the group that Florida Gov. Charlie Crist is a lifetime member of the association and that membership has its benefits. “You never know when tou will have to call on us. We're here to be of assistance to you.”

Mrs. Carnegie added: “Please join us in the fight for justice.”