By Globe Staff

The power change in Congress from Republicans to Democrats should not be a reason for blacks to sit back and relax, the head of the NAACP said last week.
    Bruce Gordon, CEO and president of the civil rights organization, said, “[Tuesday’s election] was historic. We have reason for optimism. We want change. I’m encouraged by that.
   “Change is in the air. But don’t get comfortable. They (Democrats) were elected by us. But will we hold them accountable? The winds of change have to value our community.”
    Gordon was the keynote speaker at the San Francisco NAACP annual dinner and gala at the Marriott Hotel on Friday.
    Gordon said that while conservatism was dealt a blow, there are still signs that “no one has delivered for our community. We make it too easy for them.”
    In Michigan, Gordon said, while 55 percent of voters chose a Democrat as governor, 58 percent also favored a resolution that opposes affirmative action in favor of race-neutral policies. It was crafted by former UC regent Ward Connerly who wrote a similar measure (Prop. 209) that was approved by voters in California in 1996. It banned affirmative action in UC admissions, as well as state hiring and contracts.

    Gordon also said it was unfortunate that the NAACP only has 350,000 members in a nation with 40 million blacks
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    He urged blacks who have obtained the comforts and benefits of middle class status to not turn their backs on at-risk young people and to be engaged like the 50,000 blacks in Montgomery, Alabama who in 1955 walked or formed car pools during a public bus boycott sparked by Rosa Parks, who had refused to give up her seat to a white man.
    Gordon also urged blacks to help close the race gap in education, criminal justice and health care, and to keep pressure on newly elected leaders. He said the nation should withdraw resources from Iraq for a domestic agenda that supports families and communities.
    San Francisco NAACP President Amos Brown urged blacks to help black students who are falling behind other groups in public schools.
    The organization honored the following local community leaders: Michael Johnson, community development and entrepreneurship award; Leamond McGriff, community service award; George Jurand, criminal justice award; Dr. Deborah Sims, education award; Linda Richardson, environmental justice award; Rev. Cecil Williams, faith community/empowerment award; Perry Lang and the Black Coalition on AIDS, health and humanitarian services award; former Mayor Willie Brown, political advocacy and statesmen award; Essie Collins, unsung hero award; and Manika Clay and Shawn Williams, youth achievement awards.
    Actor and recording artist Jamie Foxx did not attend as planned due to an illness.