Their ideas often differed from other black leaders. DuBois’s affiliation with the NAACP attempted to solve the problem through integration. Garvey’s UNIA centered around the idea of blacks helping blacks, attempting to relieve blacks of any dependence on whites. Both men had a lasting impact on generations to come. The beliefs of W.E.B.
Malcolm X demonstrated the anger and the struggle, of the African Americans in the 1960s. During his lifetime he influenced many African Americans to stand up for their rights against the injustices set by the American government. Malcolm was criticized for his extremist views and actions while on the other hand he has been praised for his efforts in raising the status for African Americans. The views of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X often collided because of their different methods of fighting for equality. Most of Malcolm X’s views collided with the views of Martin Luther King Jr. King’s philosophy was “turn the other cheek,” meaning violence will not elevate you and bring you closer to your goals.
Following the Second World War which African Americans had played such a large part in, and ended up still coming home to beatings and brutal racism, President Truman felt obliged to commit to Civil Rights for African Americans. Strongly demonstrated through his report titled ‘to secure these rights.’ in 1947, which outlined many of the hardships faced by African Americans and provided recommendations on how to solve them. Following the report several initiatives were pushed through by Truman, such as the signing of Executive Order 9980 and Executive Order 10308. These were crucial in improving the lives of African Americans as they guaranteed fair employment practices in the Civil Services and that defence contracts would not go to companies that discriminated against African Americans, hence empowering them in the workplace. On the other hand it could be argued that the Second World War’s influence was in fact limited.
There were many other civil right groups such as SNCC, who helped organise The Sit-ins of 1960; NAACP, who also aided The Montgomery Bus Boycott; and The Black Panthers, a more Militant group whose main cause was to empower Black people. It is my opinion that whilst Martin Luther King played a significant part in the black civil rights campaign, the other Civil Rights groups should not be ignored for the part they played. Martin Luther King was a key figurehead in the advancement of black Americans. He was known around the World for taking part in several Civil Rights campaigns. He was a highly intelligent man, coming from a higher-class background.
Garvey was also a firm believer in the “Black is Beautiful” ideal. Marcus Garvey was very popular among the people because of he was charitable, a good leader, and enthusiastic. He was unpopular with the people for his radical thoughts and actions. Marcus Garvey prided himself on helping Blacks across the world. The UNIA’s main focus was to do the greatest work for the general uplift of the Blacks of the world.
WHY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH IMPORTANT When it comes to history the first thing you hear your classmates say, is”Not history again.” But what they don’t know and understand is that in order to became a better person you must not make the mistakes of the past generations, but learn from their mistakes and also do thing that have helped other people in the past to became better people. One such example is the slavery of Black African people that were brought in Africa and sold in America, were they worked on big cotton plantations under marginal living conditions. Although they were treated badly, underpaid and exploited they still stayed positive that they would one day return to Africa, the Lord of their ancestors. That day never come, instead the slaves mostly became Christians and started to live like their owners and today most African-American people you see are descendants of slaves.
Each group of reformers challenged the words of our founding fathers as stated in the Constitution, “…in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity,…promote the general welfare…to ourselves and our posterity…,” progressives were searching for a perfect union for every individual to be satisfied with. Many black American activists became increasingly popular during this time period, Booker T. Washington and W.E.B DuBois were the most prominent. Both varied greatly in terms of ways to gain and retain rights as American citizens. Booker T. Washington, an ex-slave himself, believed black
Booker T. Washington asked the white people for help not equality. Booker T. Washington believed that they would not make it anywhere in society if they focused on just equality. Booker T. Washington wanted to have blacks trained for society and real life situations, he believed that was way more important to be street smart and learn real life situation than be book smart . He wanted the African Americans to have land and vocational skill so they are able to hold on to jobs and have income and support . He wanted job education for blacks so they could learn how to do their jobs and do it properly.
Washington preferred a gradual incline of black involvement and acceptance, whereas DuBois preferred immediate direct action. DuBois tried to get African Americans to be involved in politics for this would be the only way their freedoms would be maintained and that could gain influence in society. Carter Woodson states that without political involvement, they would “lose ground in the basic things of life,” (Doc I). DuBois says that the original democratic system does not exist anymore; a caste system replaced it with the white men on top, who try to diminish the civil liberties of those below them, the blacks (Doc F). Dubois’s solution is that African Americans must constantly fight and argue for what they desire in order to ever gain their rights (Doc E).
Washington believed that industrial education would be more effective. When debating the possible solutions to uplift the black race, Washington suggested his viewpoints, Du Bois suggested his viewpoints, and the opposing viewpoints were disputed. Much like today, their philosophies are well discussed on how to end class and racial injustice. Washington was born in slavery in Franklin County, Virginia. He became an influential black leader during the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s.