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NAACP Founded 116 Years Ago

On February 12th, 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded as a response to the ongoing violence, racism, and discrimination Black Americans were facing.  It was particularly in response to the Springfield Race Riot of 1908 in Springfield, Illinois. Activist came together to create the organization, including W.E.B. DuBois and Ida B. Wells. Their goal was to fight for civil rights through advocacy, public awareness, and legal challenges. Over time, the NAACP became one of the largest and most influential organizations in the fight against segregation, voter suppression, racism, discrimination, and injustice in the United States.  The Springfield Race Riot of 1908 took place on August 14th, 1908, it was a violent attack on the Black residents in Springfield, Illinois. The residents were attacked by white mobs after false accusations that two Black men assaulted white women. The white mobs burned down homes and businesses, they also lynched Black men. It was so bad that the Illinois National Guard had to intervene, unfortunately it was too late for many Black families, some left homeless, or without their businesses, and others left without family members.  Springfield, Illinois was Abraham Lincoln’s hometown, many believed it was a place of racial equality and progress, but it proved that racism and violence were not just a southern issue but also in the North as well. Many were outraged after the attacks leading to the direct founding on the NAACP. By the time the NAACP was founded DuBois was already considered to be one of the most influential Black people of that time. He was a vocal critic of racial discrimination, particularly in opposing Booker T. Washington’s philosophies. DuBois was the only Black founding member among the NAACP’s original group, most of the group were white progressives. He was the editor of The Crisis, the NAACP’s official publication.  Dubois was a critical pieced in the founding of the NAACP, but he often found himself at odds with the organization’s white leadership. They favored a slow and legalistic approach over mass activism. Ida B. Wells was a […]

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