White violence, black nationalism, and the NAACP in North Carolina, 1918-1940
The aftermath of World War I saw widespread violence by whites against African Americans across the United States. This study is a state-level comparison of different African-American responses to the problem of white violence, primarily those represented by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). While the NAACP aimed to secure federal legislation against lynching, the black nationalist UNIA favoured a separatist approach which emphasised group solidarity and self-defence. The segregated urban areas of North Carolina had a well-established black middle class and hosted vibrant NAACP branches and UNIA divisions, offering insights into both intra- and interracial dynamics. Both the UNIA and the NAACP were successful at grassroots level within a relatively short period of time after World War I and in the early-1920s. The thesis uses the theme of white violence and black responses to link the fluctuating fortunes of the NAACP and of the UNIA and argues that the UNIAâs focus on self-defence is an under-appreciated aspect of its popularity among southern African Americans. Meanwhile, the NAACPâs emphasis on anti-lynching
Lennon, Thomas
White violence, black nationalism, and the NAACP in North Carolina, 1918-1940. The aftermath of World War I saw widespread violence by whites against African Americans across the United States. This study is a state-level comparison of different African-American responses to the problem of white violence, primarily those represented by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). While the NAACP aimed to secure federal legislation against lynching, the black nationalist UNIA favoured a separatist approach which emphasised group solidarity and self-defence. The segregated urban areas of North Carolina had a well-established black middle class and hosted vibrant NAACP branches and UNIA divisions, offering insights into both intra- and interracial dynamics. Both the UNIA and the NAACP were successful at grassroots level within a relatively short period of time after World War I and in the early-1920s. The thesis uses the theme of white violence and black responses to link the fluctuating fortunes of the NAACP and of the UNIA and argues that the UNIAâs focus on self-defence is an under-appreciated aspect of its popularity among southern African Americans. Meanwhile, the NAACPâs emphasis on anti-lynching
white violence black nationalism north aftermath world_war saw widespread violence white african_americans across united_states study state level comparison_different african_american response_problem white violence primarily represent national association advancement people universal improvement association aim secure federal legislation black nationalist favour separatist emphasise group solidarity self defence segregate urban_area north well_established black middle_class host vibrant branch division offer_insight intra dynamic successful grassroots level within relatively_short period_time world_war early theme white violence black response link fluctuate fortune argue focus self defence under appreciated aspect popularity among southern african_americans meanwhile emphasis anti