Historical Essay Sample about The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

On February 12, 1909, America’s most influential civil rights program was born. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was formed with one goal at hand, eliminating racial prejudice in the United States. African Americans were seen as less of a person compared to whites and had little to no involvement in the early societies. Over the years, the NAACP has made countless attempts in bringing equality to all, but no attempts match the level of success as in the attempts in the 1920s. During the 1920s the NAACP played a major role in society through their work towards anti-lynching laws, their involvement in the New Negro Movement, and the creation of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters.  

One of the NAACP's greatest accomplishments was their work in the New Negro Movement. The New Negro Movement began after the end of World War I. African American soldiers realized that in other countries such as France and the United Kingdom they were treated as equals to whites, unlike in the U.S. where they were treated unfairly as if they weren't human beings. The New Negro Movement worked for racial pride, cultural self-expression, independence, and progressive politics. NAACP leaders like W.E.B Dubois and James Weldon contributed greatly to this movement through their acts of aesthetic guidance and financial support. This is shown in the article when it states, “ NAACP officials W.E.B. Du Bois, James Weldon Johnson, Walter White, and Jessie Fauset provided aesthetic guidance, financial support, and literature to this cultural awakening”(NAACP). This movement urged African Americans to appreciate who they are and their true worth. The NAACP made it known that it was time for African Americans to stand up and create their own agency for politics and no longer be the “problem” talked about amongst whites. The New Negro Movement established a better community for African Americans where many found better purposes and jobs. More African Americans could be seen in journalism, music, poetry, and painting.  

The NAACP also played a major role in the anti-lynching crusaders and anti-lynching laws. The NAACP often held protests against lynchings and even created books to spread awareness. For instance, one book that was created to spread awareness was “Thirty Years of Lynching in the United States”. Furthermore, not only did the NAACP hold protests but they also published a flag stating “ A man was lynched yesterday” which was flown outside of the NAACP headquarters. In 1916, the NAACP and the anti-lynching crusaders created a partnership to better-off African Americans and end lynchings. The crusaders were an all-female group who marched throughout America spreading the true reality of lynchings and raising money to pass anti-lynching bills. This can be seen in 1922, “The Appeal” newspaper when it states “ The anti-lynching fund of the NAACP in trust to be used to pass and enforce the Dyer-anti lynching bill and put down mob violence”. The partnership between the two increased the number of rallies, the number of volunteers, and most importantly, media attention. This partnership was the biggest contributor to the signing of the Dyer anti-lynching Bill in 1922, which made lynching a federal crime. Through the actions of the crusades and NAACP African Americans were now better protected from unjust actions of hatred.   

The NAACP and the Brotherhood of the Sleeping car porters worked together to improve the working conditions of African Americans in the railroad company. The BSCP was founded in 1925 by A. Philp Randolph in an attempt to end segregation and unfair wealth distribution between whites and blacks. Originally, George Pullman was one of the first companies to allow blacks to work in the railroad industry after the civil war.  Nevertheless, Pullman took this opportunity to exploit blacks by making them work long shifts with little to no pay. In retaliation to the mistreatment that many African Americans were receiving in the Pullman industry, Randolph published two articles in  The Magazine which received worldwide support (Woodward). Randolph, accompanied by his men and members of the NAACP, toured the country rallying to all blacks to strive for better wages and conditions in their line of work. This was not okay with George Pullman. The Pullman company tried various methods to bring down the BSCP including, bringing in spies. After multiple attempts throughout the late 20’s the BSCP work paid off in 1932 under FDR’s New Deal. The New Deal led to BSCP and Pullman company negotiating a deal that increased wages, guaranteed pay, and a 240-hour work month for African Americans. The actions of the BSCP inspired African Americans to join together across the country to work for the end of segregation in job sites and equality for all.   

The NAACP’s involvement in 1920s society made African Americans realize their true worth in society. African Americans began to receive better wages, more efficient jobs, and laws protecting them from hate crimes. The NAACP's involvement in the New Negro Movement, anti-lynching laws, and Brotherhood Sleeping Car Porters paved the way for African Americans in the future.