Visiting the NAACP website

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 69 views

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is one of the oldest and most influential civil rights organizations in the United States. Founded in 1909, the NAACP has played a crucial role in the fight for racial equality and justice. The organization's founding was largely based on the beliefs of several prominent African American leaders, including W.E.B. Du Bois, Booker T. Washington, John Marshall Harlan, and Homer Plessy. In this article, we will explore the lives and contributions of these individuals and how they shaped the NAACP's mission and goals.

W.E.B. Du Bois: A Key Founder of the NAACP

William Edward Burghardt Du Bois, commonly known as W.E.B. Du Bois, was a renowned African American sociologist, historian, and civil rights activist. Born on February 23, 1868, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, Du Bois was a leading figure in the fight against racial segregation and inequality. He was a strong advocate for the rights of African Americans and believed in the importance of education and economic empowerment.

Du Bois was a key founder of the NAACP and served as the organization's first director of publicity and research. He was a prolific writer and published numerous articles and books on the subject of racial inequality, including his seminal work, "The Souls of Black Folk." Du Bois's work was instrumental in shaping the NAACP's mission and goals, and he continued to play a leading role in the organization until his death in 1963.

Booker T. Washington: A Compromising Figure

Booker Taliaferro Washington was a prominent African American educator and orator. Born on April 5, 1856, in Hale's Ford, Virginia, Washington was a key figure in the fight for African American education and economic empowerment. He was the founder and principal of the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, a school that focused on vocational training and education.

Washington was a compromising figure who believed in gradualism and accommodation. He advocated for African Americans to work within the existing system to achieve their goals, rather than challenging the status quo. While Washington's approach was seen as too moderate by some, his efforts helped to establish the Tuskegee Institute as a leading institution for African American education.

John Marshall Harlan: A Supreme Court Justice

John Marshall Harlan was a U.S. Supreme Court justice who served from 1877 to 1911. Born on June 1, 1833, in Boyle County, Kentucky, Harlan was a strong advocate for the rights of African Americans. He was a key figure in the fight against racial segregation and inequality, and his opinions on the subject were instrumental in shaping the NAACP's mission and goals.

In the landmark case of Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), Harlan dissented from the majority opinion, which upheld the constitutionality of segregation laws. His dissenting opinion, which argued that segregation was unconstitutional, was a powerful statement against racial inequality.

Homer Plessy: A Test Case for Segregation

Homer Adolph Plessy was a Louisiana resident who was born on March 17, 1863. He was a key figure in the fight against racial segregation and inequality. In 1892, Plessy boarded a train in New Orleans and sat in a "whites-only" car. When he refused to move to a "colored-only" car, he was arrested and charged with violating Louisiana's segregation laws.

Plessy's case, Plessy v. Ferguson, was a test case for segregation laws. The U.S. Supreme Court ultimately upheld the constitutionality of segregation laws, but Harlan's dissenting opinion was a powerful statement against racial inequality.

The Founding of the NAACP

The NAACP was founded on February 12, 1909, in response to the Springfield, Illinois, race riot of 1908. The riot, which was sparked by the lynching of a black man, resulted in the deaths of six African Americans and the destruction of numerous homes and businesses.

A group of prominent African American leaders, including W.E.B. Du Bois, Ida B. Wells, and Mary Church Terrell, came together to form the NAACP. The organization's mission was to promote racial equality and justice through education, advocacy, and litigation.

The NAACP's Early Years

The NAACP's early years were marked by significant challenges. The organization faced opposition from white supremacist groups and struggled to raise funds and build a membership base. Despite these challenges, the NAACP continued to push forward, advocating for the rights of African Americans and challenging segregation laws.

In 1910, the NAACP launched a campaign to challenge segregation laws in the South. The organization filed lawsuits in several states, including Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana, arguing that segregation laws were unconstitutional.

The NAACP's Impact

The NAACP's impact on the fight for racial equality and justice cannot be overstated. The organization's advocacy and litigation efforts helped to challenge segregation laws and promote racial equality. The NAACP's work also helped to raise awareness about the issue of racial inequality and mobilize public opinion in support of civil rights.

Today, the NAACP remains one of the most influential civil rights organizations in the United States. The organization continues to advocate for the rights of African Americans and other marginalized communities, pushing forward a vision of a more just and equitable society.

Conclusion

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was founded on the beliefs of several prominent African American leaders, including W.E.B. Du Bois, Booker T. Washington, John Marshall Harlan, and Homer Plessy. The organization's mission and goals were shaped by the lives and contributions of these individuals, who fought tirelessly for racial equality and justice.

Q: What is the NAACP's mission?

A: The NAACP's mission is to promote racial equality and justice through education, advocacy, and litigation. The organization works to eliminate racial disparities in education, employment, housing, and healthcare, and to protect the voting rights of African Americans and other marginalized communities.

Q: What are the NAACP's core values?

A: The NAACP's core values include:

Equality: The NAACP believes that all individuals are equal and deserving of respect and dignity.
Justice: The NAACP works to promote justice and fairness in all aspects of life.
Empowerment: The NAACP empowers individuals and communities to take action and make a difference.
Inclusion: The NAACP believes in the importance of inclusion and diversity.

Q: What are the NAACP's main programs and initiatives?

A: The NAACP's main programs and initiatives include:

Advocacy: The NAACP advocates for policies and laws that promote racial equality and justice.
Litigation: The NAACP files lawsuits to challenge discriminatory laws and practices.
Education: The NAACP provides educational programs and resources to promote racial understanding and awareness.
Community Engagement: The NAACP engages with communities to build relationships and promote social change.

Q: What are some of the NAACP's notable achievements?

A: Some of the NAACP's notable achievements include:

Brown v. Board of Education: The NAACP played a key role in the landmark Supreme Court case that declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional.
Voting Rights Act: The NAACP advocated for the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which protected the voting rights of African Americans.
Civil Rights Act: The NAACP worked to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibited discrimination in employment, education, and public accommodations.
Affirmative Action: The NAACP has advocated for affirmative action policies to promote diversity and inclusion in education and employment.

Q: How can I get involved with the NAACP?

A: There are many ways to get involved with the NAACP, including:

Membership: Join the NAACP as a member to support the organization's work and receive benefits and resources.
Volunteering: Volunteer with the NAACP to help with events, campaigns, and other initiatives.
Donating: Make a donation to the NAACP to support its work and mission.
Advocating: Advocate for the NAACP's issues and policies in your community and with your elected officials.

Q: What are some of the NAACP's current campaigns and initiatives?

A: Some of the NAACP's current campaigns and initiatives include:

Voting Rights: The NAACP is working to protect and expand voting rights for African Americans and other marginalized communities.
Police Reform: The NAACP is advocating for police reform and accountability to address police brutality and racial profiling.
Education: The NAACP is working to improve education outcomes for African American students and to address the achievement gap.
Economic Empowerment: The NAACP is advocating for policies and programs that promote economic empowerment and opportunity for African Americans.

Q: How can I stay up-to-date with the NAACP's work and news?

A: You can stay up-to-date with the NAACP's work and news by:

Visiting the NAACP website: The NAACP website provides information on the organization's work, campaigns, and initiatives.
Following the NAACP on social media: The NAACP is active on social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Subscribing to the NAACP newsletter: The NAACP newsletter provides updates on the organization's work and news.
Attending NAACP events: The NAACP hosts events and conferences throughout the year to promote its work and mission.