Roy Wilkins and National Association for the Advancement of Colored

Student’s Name

Institution

Roy Wilkins and National Association for the Advancement of Colored

The Civil Rights Era, between 1940 and 1970, was a monumental time in the history of the United States. It marked a time where individuals, societies, and groups rose to stand against segregation and inequality among the minorities, which hindered them from access to education, voting, and other essential services. Roy Wilkins was one of the most revered activists during the civil rights era who inspired the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in the fight for equality and racial integration.

The rise of the NAACP can be traced back to Springfield, Illinois, during the summer of 1908. The rise of the movement came about as a result of a race riot that was motivated by racial atrocities that were committed against people of color (White & Dierenfield, 2014). The movement, which was founded in 1909, was comprised of a select number of professional staff from different fields. The volunteer professionals set out to fight for the objectives outlined in the founding documents. The objectives included the impartial fulfillment of the fourth amendment, which guaranteed civil rights, the creation of equal educational rights, equal voting rights for African Americans, and the recognition of prejudice against the people of color in government offices (Miller, 2012). 

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People utilized several strategies to ensure that they met their objectives. One of the most successful strategies which the civil rights organization used was the use of legal frameworks to fight injustice. The highlight of the organization was highlighted in the Brown v. Board of Education case, where the supreme court brought an end to institutionalized racism in the education sector (Penrice, 2011). The NAACP, which served as the legal side of the civil rights movement, successfully contested and won against segregation in schools. Another strategy that was widely used by the NCAAP was protests and marches. Protests and marches during the civil rights era attracted a large number of crowds. The high number of participants helped to pressure the government into caving in to their demands. The March of Washington, which was organized by NCAAP and its leaders, was one of the most successful marches during the time. The march attracted approximately a quarter a million people, a clear demonstration of the success of the civil rights movement organization’s objective The NCAAP also utilized lobbying as an alternative strategy towards the achievement of its objectives. Its leaders, especially Roy Wilkins and Martin Luther King Jr., favored nonviolent approaches towards the advocacy of their goals. The organization persistently lobbied the president and the congress to help implement racial integration and equality in the United States. The success of their efforts was seen in 1964 when president Lyndon Johnson put a signature to the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s quest to bring equality and racial integration in the United States during the civil rights era was supported and inspired by vocal and strategic leaders. They include Henry Moskowitz, Mary White Ovington, Mary Churchill Archibald Grimke, and W.E. B Dubois. Roy Wilkins was one of the instrumental leaders of the organization who was also the longest-serving leader of the organization during the civil rights era. Roy Wilkins gallantly led the NCAAP during its monumental time of the civil rights era. He spent more than 50 years of his life speaking about freedoms and justice for people of color. Wilkins also marshaled like-minded individuals to hold protests in the streets to push the government to implement equal rights for all people. He was a vital figure in the organization of the March of Washington, which took place in 1963 (Gaines, 2012). Apart from the protests and marches, Wilkins was also useful in enhancing the legal objectives of NCAAP. His participation in the legal field of the organization stemmed from his personal belief that the freedoms and rights of the colored people could be achieved through legal means. He aspired to fight for a system change through the courts and legislative processes. His input was integral to the overturning of the separate but equal doctrine by the supreme court during the Brown v. Board of Education case.

Conclusion

The civil rights era marked a time in the history of the United States. The era changed the course of history in the United States as it helped to advocate and implement changes in racial integration and equality. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was at the forefront in implementing change and help to arrange protests, fight court cases, and lobby the government to help achieve equality. The success of the NCAAP was also inspired by its longest-serving leader, Roy Wilkins, who helped champion the rights of the people of color in the United States. The results of the struggles and efforts of NCAAP and leaders such as oy Wilkins are evident in American society today, which is regarded as the epitome of freedom and democracy.

Reference

Gaines, K. K. (2012). American Africans in Ghana: Black Expatriates and the civil rights era. UNC Press Books.

Miller, W. R. (2012). The Social History of Crime and Punishment in America: A-De (Vol. 1). Sage.

Penrice, R. R. (2011). African American History for Dummies. John Wiley & Sons.

White, J., & Dierenfield, B. J. (2014). A history of African-American leadership. Routledge.