In Charles Houston’s Article, “Education Inequalities Must Go”, we see a definitive action plan to solve educational inequalities, instated by the N.A.A.C.P. Although I appreciated this concrete and unwavering plan, the part that I found most valuable to their argument is when he touches on this philosophical idea of human existence and how we all wish to be treated with respect and equality. When he states “To the N.A.A.C.P ‘amicable race relations’ means mutual helpfulness in promoting the common welfare allowing to everybody concerned the full benefit of the law and equality of opportunity.” In the statement following he says it is not “whether the whites and Negroes can remain friends while the Negro is at the little end of the horn”. Right here Houston has posed a great challenge to all races of America. He is making a statement about humankind and how we all need to treat one another equally because we are all humans and want the same thing. Inclusion, respect, we are social beings after all. Personally, I don’t think that stating your action plan is going to intimidate of change the whites in power as much as this statement which almost digs at all human feelings. It can be understood by all and really causes people to think and reflect on their actions and test if they are truly acting, as they would want to be treated.
I also found interesting how much the circumstances of our presidents changed the course of the civil rights movement. In another leadership class we have read numerous books by Malcolm Gladwell. One of his books, titled The Tipping Point examines those little instances that change a situation dramatically. I think this truly occurred in the context of the Civil Rights Movement when FDR became president. His presidency began a domino effect of positive changes towards solving the social injustices of African Americans. The Joint Committee on National Recovery also dramatically changed the course of the civil rights movement. Finally, the concert at the Lincoln Memorial and Eleanor Roosevelt’s resignation from the DAR, demonstrate the constantly changing mindset of the nation at the time.
A few questions to reflect upon:
1. What are other examples of “tipping point” like situations that have occurred during the Civil Rights Movements?
2. Without people like the Roosevelts would the civil rights movement have gained so much momentum as quickly? Would they have attained goals?
3. Did you find Houston’s article statement on humanity as moving? Do you think it changed the mentalities of whites in Virginia at the time?
– Eliza McLean
I think other examples of “tipping points” during the Civil Rights movements are moments such as the Emmett Till case which really started the Civil Rights movement because it involved both northern and southern states and policies. I think this really made race issues not just “a southern problem” but a national problem after the Emmett Till case. This was an important “tipping point” because it brought about real change and a start to the movement on a national level.
When it comes to activism and social change, the idealism that resonated with you so much, Eliza, as well as the tangible goals that Houston lays out in the article are both necessary. I would consider Houston’s vision for equality more of a long term goal than actual action in a social movement. Just like David Meyer explained in Politics of Protest that a book cannot be a social movement because it didn’t demand a response, Houston’s article is, at the end of the day, merely words. There were too many people then (and still some now) set in their ways when it comes to racism. These people would not be changed by Houston’s words, however powerful they may be. By setting up tangible goals and protesting in a direct fashion, Houston is forcing those who did not (and may never) agree with him in his line of thinking about equality, but are forced to act in his favor because it is simply more difficult not to.
Eliza,
I really like how you refer to Roosevelt’s presidency and his enactment of the New Deal as a major tipping point in the civil right’s movement. The New Deal served as hope and inspiration for black Americans who never thought that the government would back them up. However, I thought it was interesting that there was so much talk of socialism at the time, but it was so clear that whites were strongly against this. Although Houston’s article may not have demanded a response, I think that the silent film along with it’s visual representations of black life and facts were a great start to begin to make those whites who are so set in their ways to think of the wrongs that they were standing by. I think whether they incite action or not, films like these, and even the Kony video we watched in class, can make people think twice about what their role is. Even if they don’t outright change their minds, getting the real stories and experiences out there must affect them in someway. Maybe i’m an optimist, but personally it may take a video or something to make me think twice about what i’m doing and learn more about it or maybe feel bad about what i’m NOT doing.
Also, I think Houston’s leadership position in the NAACP in the 1930s demanded pivotal changes in the organization, which is why it may also be considered a tipping point. As i said in class, I thought that this chapter was really big on the NAACP really reaching out to the community through Houston’s extensive travels in the South. Similar to Ella Baker, Houston’s leadership philosophy called for finding leaders in local communities and receiving support from local black organizations and institutions.