Role of James Baldwin in the Civil Rights Movement Essays -- NAACP Nat

Throughout most of the 1950’s and 60’s there was a strong push by Black Americans to end their unfair treatment in America. Two main groups during this time were working on this problem. The NAACP and the Nation of Islam were two main groups working on and poised to solve this very dilemma. Despite trying to solve the same crisis their ideas on a solution were very different. Since their views were varied, people in turn had different views on which group they would become associated with. This inspired many writers to publicly display their beliefs on the issue. In â€Å"Down at the Cross,† Baldwin displays favor toward the methodology of the NAACP in the Civil Rights Movement because of their beliefs in the American system. Even though he was partial towards the NAACP he still believed in some of the teachings of the Nation of Islam especially in their views of keeping Black pride and Black values. These notions lead to the fact that Baldwin seeks a mixture of these two factions. The NAACP made many strides in America to help integrate Whites and Blacks. This group’s main method of mixing the races was through the legal system. The path they picked caused many issues with Baldwin and one he perceived is that â€Å"very few liberals have any notion how long, how costly, and how heartbreaking a task it is to gather the evidence that one can carry into court, or how long such court battles take.† (Baldwin 320). So not only is it hard on the pocket, but Baldwin believes â€Å"there is no reason that Black men should be expected to be more patient, more forbearing, more farseeing than whites; indeed, quite the contrary† (Baldwin 321). One can see that Baldwin felt that the NAACP’s methods were slow and that the Black man should ... ...d in this way everyone in America can become part off this greater whole. Then we can learn from each other’s mistakes and successes to become a greater family because â€Å"isn’t love more important than color?† (Baldwin 327). Works Cited Baldwin, James. â€Å"Down at the Cross.† 1955. James Baldwin: Collected Essays. Ed. Toni Morrison. New York: Library of America, 1988. 63-84. Barbour, Floyd B., ed. The Black Power Revolt. Boston: Porter Sargent Publisher, 1968. â€Å"G. O. P. Picks Volpe in Massachusetts.† New York Times 12 Jan 1960. Jones, LeRoi. â€Å"The Need For a Cultural Base to Civil Rites & Bpower Mooments.† Barbour. 119-126. Poussaint, Alvin F. â€Å"The Negro American: His Self-Image and Integration.†Barbour. 94-102. Wright, Nathan Jr. â€Å"The Crisis Which Bred Black Power.† Barbour. 103-118. â€Å"Union Aides Rebut Bias Accusation.† New York Times 5 Jan 1961. Role of James Baldwin in the Civil Rights Movement Essays -- NAACP Nat Throughout most of the 1950’s and 60’s there was a strong push by Black Americans to end their unfair treatment in America. Two main groups during this time were working on this problem. The NAACP and the Nation of Islam were two main groups working on and poised to solve this very dilemma. Despite trying to solve the same crisis their ideas on a solution were very different. Since their views were varied, people in turn had different views on which group they would become associated with. This inspired many writers to publicly display their beliefs on the issue. In â€Å"Down at the Cross,† Baldwin displays favor toward the methodology of the NAACP in the Civil Rights Movement because of their beliefs in the American system. Even though he was partial towards the NAACP he still believed in some of the teachings of the Nation of Islam especially in their views of keeping Black pride and Black values. These notions lead to the fact that Baldwin seeks a mixture of these two factions. The NAACP made many strides in America to help integrate Whites and Blacks. This group’s main method of mixing the races was through the legal system. The path they picked caused many issues with Baldwin and one he perceived is that â€Å"very few liberals have any notion how long, how costly, and how heartbreaking a task it is to gather the evidence that one can carry into court, or how long such court battles take.† (Baldwin 320). So not only is it hard on the pocket, but Baldwin believes â€Å"there is no reason that Black men should be expected to be more patient, more forbearing, more farseeing than whites; indeed, quite the contrary† (Baldwin 321). One can see that Baldwin felt that the NAACP’s methods were slow and that the Black man should ... ...d in this way everyone in America can become part off this greater whole. Then we can learn from each other’s mistakes and successes to become a greater family because â€Å"isn’t love more important than color?† (Baldwin 327). Works Cited Baldwin, James. â€Å"Down at the Cross.† 1955. James Baldwin: Collected Essays. Ed. Toni Morrison. New York: Library of America, 1988. 63-84. Barbour, Floyd B., ed. The Black Power Revolt. Boston: Porter Sargent Publisher, 1968. â€Å"G. O. P. Picks Volpe in Massachusetts.† New York Times 12 Jan 1960. Jones, LeRoi. â€Å"The Need For a Cultural Base to Civil Rites & Bpower Mooments.† Barbour. 119-126. Poussaint, Alvin F. â€Å"The Negro American: His Self-Image and Integration.†Barbour. 94-102. Wright, Nathan Jr. â€Å"The Crisis Which Bred Black Power.† Barbour. 103-118. â€Å"Union Aides Rebut Bias Accusation.† New York Times 5 Jan 1961.