NAACP Questions:

1. Founded February 12, 1909 (100th Anniversary) The NAACP has made many vital impacts to the lives of African Americans. The NAACP’s main objective was equal rights and equal opportunity, this courageous organization is the reason why our fellow people have our freedom and our constitutional rights today. This organization helped fight for our inclusion in the 13th 14th and 15th amendments. “..The NAACP's stated goal was to secure for all people the rights guaranteed in the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the United States Constitution, which promised an end to slavery, the equal protection of the law, and universal adult male suffrage, respectively.” (naacp.org) The NAACP fought against all aspects discrimination within the social, political and educational areas of society. “The NAACP's principal objective is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of minority group citizens of United States and eliminate race prejudice. The NAACP seeks to remove all barriers of racial discrimination through the democratic processes.”(naacp.org)

2. The Oklahoma NAACP which was organized nationally after the primary NAACP in 1913 has contributed to the history of African Americans initially because its leader Roscoe Dunjee, was “invaluable”. “He led the forces that organized the Oklahoma Conference of Branches, which became the first such state branch in the nation”.(google.comhttp://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/N/NA001.html)
Although he and his members suffered violence and threats they endured by accomplishing many legal victories the most important being the Sipel vs. Board of Education. It’s very significant because they helped her win the case so she could attend law school right here at the University of Oklahoma.” In McLaurin v. Oklahoma State Regents (1950) the NAACP argued that the University of Oklahoma violated the Fourteenth Amendment when it admitted George McLaurin to its graduate college but then tried to segregate him while he was on campus. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed, ordering the university to end its discrimination.”
(google.com http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/N/NA001.html).
Also this determined organization was involved in Clara Lupers case- the sit in was right here in Oklahoma. Her persona and determination for equality for black rights impacted states in Oklahoma such as Tulsa, Enid and Lawton. The NAACP here in Oklahoma still to this day strive for such equality and advocate for justice.

3. The legal movement helped the Civil Rights Movement focus on some important issues that revolved around more than equality but deference and worthiness. “By 1966, the emergence of the Black Power Movement, which lasted roughly from 1966 to 1975, enlarged the aims of the Civil Rights Movement to include racial dignity, economic and political self-sufficiency, and freedom from oppression by whites” Many of those who were most active in the Civil Rights Movement, with organizations such as SNCC, CORE and SCLC, prefer the term "Southern Freedom Movement" because the struggle was about far more than just civil rights under law; it was also about fundamental issues of freedom, respect, dignity, and economic and social equality.” (wikepedia.com)
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African-American_Civil_Rights_Movement_(1955%E2%80%931968)]

4. Similarities between the NAACP’s importance with the African American experience with that of the legal movement were evident. The Legal movement was striving for equality, freedom and the end of discrimination as well as the Civil Rights movement. Both were movements striving towards change a change not only for them but for the views of whites. Both movements had to fight both had to experience violence but the movements were never violent they fought hate with love but they fought hard and strong willed.

5. Reconstruction was a period of ups and downs for African Americans. It was the period in which the African Americans restored the remains of the Civil War. “The period of U.S. history from 1865 through 1877, during which the states that had seceded during the Civil War were reorganized under federal control and later restored to the Union”. (Encarta Dictionary) The disadvantages of Reconstruction- bad economic conditions, no placements for jobs, discrimination and exploitation. The advantages included- political gains such as “instituted free public education, improved the tax system, and reorganized the judicial system and repealed imprisonment for debt laws as well as negative labor laws” (Karenga 164.)Although all of these changes occurred The Reconstruction was not successful- The government ceased to give land to and equipment to blacks, the rise of the white terrorist societies like the KKK in spite of the 1870 and 1871 laws against such societies” ( Karenga 165) and several other reasons.

6. Some current ways in which the NAACP has been active are as follows:
2000TV Diversity Agreements. Retirement of the Debt and first six years of a budget surplus. Largest Black Voter Turnout in 20 years
2000Great March. January 17, in Columbia, South Carolina attended by over 50,000 to protest the flying of the Confederate Battle Flag. This is the largest civil rights demonstration ever held in the South to date.
2001Cincinnati Riots. Development of 5 year Strategic Plan.Under the leadership of Chairman Bond and President Mfume, the NAACP continues to thrive, and with the help of everyone - regardless of race - will continue to do so into the next millennium...
(http://www.naacp.org/about/history/timeline/index.htm)

7. After listening to our guest speakers their perspective and information enlightened me and reassured my thoughts of the relevance of AFAM. It just really hit me that if it were not for them and other brave brothers and sisters I would not be at this University today. Their courage and faith is what had to get them through. It just makes me want to strive for excellence. It makes me want to advocate and campaign for rights today. We may not be where were but we still need room for improvement. I could be that voice along with my peers we can make a difference like our ancestors did. Anything is possible.