How do the Tactics and Beliefs of Pre-World War II Black Activists Compare with the
             Leaders of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950's and 1960's?
             On June 11, 1963, during the midst of extreme turmoil and uprisings as a result of the
             enrolling of two negro students at the University of Alabama, President John F. Kennedy
             addressed the nation with his civil rights message. He boldly and emphatically stated, "It ought
             to be possible, in short, for every American to enjoy the privileges of being American without
             regard to his race or his color. In short, every American ought to have the right to be treated as
             he would wish to be treated, as one would wish his children to be treated. But this is not the
             case...I hope that every American, regardless of where he lives, will stop and examine his
             conscience about this and other related incidents. This nation was founded by men of many
             nations and backgrounds. It was founded on the principle that all men are created equal, and
             the rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened" (Long 42).
             As one can see from this powerful speech, the push for post World War II civil rights
             was truly a nationwide battle, affecting the lives of millions of blacks and whites alike. Men such
             as John F. Kennedy and particularly Martin Luther King Jr., Malcom X, and A. Philip Randolph
             played vital roles in the civil rights movement. However, where did these men find their pride,
             motivation and most importantly, inspiration for equality? It is apparent that the civil rights
             movement did not suddenly erupt like a dormant volcano in the late 1950's. Rather, it was a long
             arduous process launched earlier in the century by other African-American men proud of their
             heritage and determined to provide equality for the race. In the early 20th century, Booker T.
             Washington, W.E.B. DuBois, and Marcus Garvey were instr...