We are disappointed at the tumult engulfing the Virginia State Conference NAACP, which was brought on by the resignation last week of the civil rights organization’s 29-year-old executive director, Da’Quan Love.

He made public in his letter of resignation shocking allegations of being verbally and emotionally abused by the organization’s executive committee to the point that he sought medical treatment.

We hope that Mr. Love will get the help that he needs to heal.

And we hope for the sake of the NAACP, and for the many Virginians who depend on the venerable organization, that all internal conflict and strife can be resolved immediately so that the state organization can return to its central focus seeking justice and equality for Black people and others of color in this state.

The issues facing Virginians today are too important and too numerous for the Virginia NAACP’s efforts to be sidetracked or derailed by petty conflicts over who should serve as the face or mouthpiece of the organization.

Power struggles and office politics often consume public and private organizations and institutions. However, we cannot have any internal strife subvert the critical mission and advocacy urgently needed right now from this civil rights organization. Conservative forces in the General Assembly and the Youngkin administration have launched assaults on history and truth with an executive order and legislation banning anti-racism teaching and education. Legislation passed by the General Assembly and signed into law on Wednesday by Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin also disregards the health and safety of our students and teachers by eliminating mask mandates in schools as the pandemic continues.

Issues of voting rights, equity and justice also are on the line as conservative lawmakers push to do away with ballot drop boxes, to require photo IDs in order to vote and to eliminate same-day registration.

We need a powerful and unrelenting advocacy organization such as the NAACP to take on these fights without being hamstrung by internal fights.

At this point, no one has confirmed the allegations cited in Mr. Love’s letter, and we hope that this matter is resolved in a manner that best allows the Virginia State Conference NAACP to continue with the national organization’s 113-year-old mission.