NAACP: Triumphs of a pressure Group 1909-1980 By Warren St. James - Essay Example

What is the real role of the NAACP in the world What is the agenda of the NAACP Is the pacifist, or non-militant, stance of the NAACP effective Are the recommendations of the NAACP realistic in African countries Beginning with the earliest days of the NAACP, St. James shows the progress made by a strong group of civil rights workers, which included many white people as its main supporters. Later leadership became primarily black but today still includes white membership. The national and global impact of the NAACP has been aimed at many cultures, religions and nationalities, not just African-American.

With its main agenda being civil rights the organization has backed away from being considered a peace organization or a foreign policy organization. It has, however, made strong statements regarding gun control and homosexual politics. Warren St. James assessment of the organization is that its interracial composition brought a conservative attitude to its philosophy. Inadequate knowledge of the issues facing blacks, more than insincerity, was a problem on the part of the white membership (p60).

When the NAACP began creating branch chapters in different states the rule was to have a minimum of 50 members per branch. Organizers in most areas had little difficulty recruiting 50 members, especially in places of significant need. Selma, Alabama, for instance, doubled that number in its first year. But it was the program of each branch in civil rights that made the difference. Chapters were "to assume responsibility for the general welfare of the Black population of the particular locality." St. James wrote that they had to be "the local vigilance group covering all of the ramifications of black life in a prejudice-ridden milieu" (p128).

The years of WWII have been called the "forgotten years of the Negro revolution" in America, but at the same time have been regarded as a time when Blacks advanced as workers and military personnel. It is clear now, through St. James work, that these years actually lost many gains for African-Americans socially and politically. But the war still caused many changes in employment and social status for all Americans, including the Black population. Huge factories were built as a result of the war production.

Rises in employment was dramatic.Discrimination on the job at this time was still very apparent. In 1941, Philip Randolph, president of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, threatened to parade a hundred-thousand African-Americans through Washington, D.C. if Roosevelt did not take some action against discrimination. After much debate Roosevelt issued an executive order banning employment discrimination due to race, creed, color or national origin for employers with defense contracts, as well as labor unions and civilian agencies of the federal government.

Enforcement was active.It is the global accomplishments of the NAACP that has really set the tone for its current policies. Beginning with its emphasis on African causes that William DuBois promoted in its early years, the NAACP has then reached around the world. Discussing Irish, Chinese and Jewish struggles, the association has made its presence known, particularly in the League of United Nations. Many treaties have been created at the urging of the NAACP. The Carter administration of 1977-81 had made good progresses with