James Lee Dickey: An Analysis of One African-American's Leadership in Jim Crow Texas

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

In 1909, the civil rights movement gained a new voice in the form of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The NAACP sought legal redress for racial injustices. When looking for someone to take charge of publicity, there was no better choice than WEB Du Bois. In addition to publicity, he was the editor for their journal, The Crisis, a task that gave him enough financial security that he could voice his true sentiments. Eventually, however, WEB Du Bois felt stifled by the NAACP. Like Booker T. Washington, the court system moved too slowly in achieving equality for African Americans. Headway was difficult because so many Negroes were falsely accused of crimes, and no black man could serve on a jury. 50 years of emancipation had not brought equality. Whites perpetrated violence against blacks with impunity. Du Bois became increasingly radical as years passed. Eventually, Du Bois advocated using violence when faced with violence. “If we are to die, let us die like men and not like bales of hay.” His solution to injustice was “self-defense and the ballot.”
 

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