African-Americans During The Progressive Era

992 Words4 Pages

Many Americans were concerned by the change that needed to happen for the people. The people were starting to stand up for what they believed in. With population increasing, things started to get out of control. Many political people held to much power over the people. People living in poverty were suffering more than they have been. Companies started creating monopolies all over and controlling jobs, and money. African-Americans took one of the biggest tolls during the progressive era. They had to fight for what they believe in, and literally fight. These people, as they use to say, were discriminated from the school house, all the way to the water fountains. African-Americans were looked at like a disease at this time. They had unfair housing, …show more content…

During the reform movements they were faced with big obstacles than any other movement out there. They were faced with no voice to be heard and no one to stand and fight for them. They were the outsiders and were thrown anyway they could in the government. Booker T. Washington in the 19th century said they had to stand for what they believe. He rather than work on “self-improvement rather than long range social change (Brinkley).” W. E. B. Du Bois, sociologist and historian and one of the first African-Americans to receive a degree from Harvard. Du Bois accused Washington of limiting segregation and encouraging whites. He later on encouraged that talented black children have no less than university educations and professions. He fought that blacks should fight for there civil rights and make it known that they deserve more. Later, Du Bois created the Niagara Movement. This movement was in 1905, where Du Bois and his a group of his supporters met in Canada, to help fight inequality within different races, mostly blacks and whites. Which later on established the NAACP in 1909. The NAACP along with other organizations helped with lynching in the South, as well as, improving it for the black community. Lynching in the south targeted the women more than the men usually. Ida B. Wells, a journalist who wrote horror stories about the lynchings. She partnered with the National Organization for Colored Women and the Women’s …show more content…

I would have wanted to stand for what I believe in. I would want everyone to have equal rights. I would have also choose this movement because they had no access to money, jobs, or even higher education. I would have want to empower people to do better. I would want them to have jobs, more than just plantation jobs. Jobs meaning, enough money to support them and their families. To support their children through school, and even if they want to go farther. Enough for them to afford healthcare as well. I would fight til the end for this reform because, it 's so powerful. The reform I wouldn’t not choose is Western Progressives. The west reform was over water. It was a reform involving rivers and streams that crossed states lines (Brinkley). It still dealt with political power but mainly mostly with land. I would want to stand for something that will help others in the long run for decades ahead. Helping with this movement, would be a life changer to see what black and women with there major