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Full resolution (TIFF) - On this page / på denna sida - IX. Leadership and Concerted Action - 39. Negro Improvement and Protest Organizations - 9. Critique of the N.A.A.C.P.
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836 An American Dilemma
This is, as we pointed out, admitted by the leaders of the Association.® When
passing judgment on this problem of tactics, it should, in fairness, be recalled
that we are actually asking why a severely disadvantaged group has not
accomplished something which only rarely and imperfectly has been done
among the whites in America. It should be borne in mind that the easiest
means of rallying the American Negroes into a mass movement are such
that they would destroy the organization. The Garvey movement demon-
strated that the Negro masses can best be stirred into unity by an irrational
and intensively racial, emotional appeal, the very thing which both the
Association and its critics rightly shun. It is also questionable whether—as
some of the critics of the Association hold—a greater stress on economic
reform by itself has any more appeal than the fight against lynching and
injustice. Poor and uneducated people all over the world are not particu-
larly interested in economic revolution or even economic reform but must
be educated to have such an interest.
When all this is said, it nevertheless stands out as a most pressing need
for the organization to broaden its membership basis and to strengthen the
activity of its branches.’^^ There are, however, no easy panaceas available.
It is the author’s judgment that important steps are: (i) to have more
working class members on the local boards^ (2) to intensify propaganda in
the schools and among the youth j (3) to stress adult education by organiz-
ing “study circles” and forums j (4) to get out more pamphlets and books
on living issues and more printed directions both for individual studies and
for adult education. More important, however, is the actual fighting done
for the Negro. At present the war crisis is helping the Association win
increasing support from the Negro people. Also in the somewhat longer
perspective, the future seems promising for the Association. As the Negro
masses are becoming educated and more articulate, and as the Negro protest
is rising, this courageous organization with its experienced and cautious
tactics will be able to count on increasing support.
so as to reach the ears of the masses. Were it able to stir the people, it could establish itself
on a sound and independent financial basis 3 it could develop a feeling of solidarity among
Negroes i
and it could then employ an expanded paid professional leadership which would
make possible the execution of an effective national program.” (Bunche, of, ci/., Vol. 1,
p. 1513 compare ibid.^ Vol. i, pp. 142 ff.)
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