Primary Source Analysis Post #2 - The Crisis

First and foremost, the name "The Crisis, in my opinion, is an eye-catcher. From the very first page of "The Crisis," you see the questions being asked the reader, DO YOU BELIEVE? Do you believe that "That the Negro should be free from the ever-present danger of mob murder?" Or do you believe that "democracy should apply to the colored man as well as others?" The fact that questions such as these must be asked in the first place brings so many negative feelings to me. This was a push for the NAACP or the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. These questions were rhetorical, intending to push thousands if not hundreds of thousands of individuals to join the NAACP movement. It amazes me that these simple questions needed to be asked, almost everybody in today's age would simply answer, yes, and without a doubt. That is why I had to choose this publication.

"The Crisis" is a political publication created in July 1919. It was both an advertisement and an article, and it was designed to start a fire in the souls of Americans. The flames were fanned by the outlandish numbers of public lynchings and the mistreatment of black people as well as other non-white races. All was not negative, "The Crisis" also tried to showcase the good that it as well as other foundational groups had done for the black community. This refers to places like universities and schools that pushed for the education of black citizens as well as non-citizen immigrants. But even with a positive outlook at certain points, there is always an overarching showcase of the 'superiority complex' that a lot of white individuals shared during this time. Interestingly enough, the audience for this work was all demographics within the United States, it was for anyone who felt that colored individuals were dealt bad cards in society. And during this time most if not all colored people in the United States were.

"Away with the old regime, the pothouse politician and white bribery.", a quote from page 6 out of 27. This quote shows what the viewpoint that most of the colored community shared in the United States. A system built for and only for white Americans. This was during a time of much racial turmoil, not only that but turmoil amongst men and women. People were at odds merely because of differences in opinion, color, gender, and overall world view. On the specific page that has the quote aforementioned, it talks much about being politically active. This is especially important for black Americans because in times prior to the writings of this article, they didn't have a say in what America did or didn't do, and especially not women black or white. As said, women had much more power as well, and this is talked about briefly in one of our class blog posts, Module 13, "Black leaders (mostly women) also enacted their own institutions and progressive reforms in their communities."

This to me is a perfect example of the unseen in American history. People didn't just get what they wanted instantaneously as they seem to today. They had to fight tooth and nail. And the black community and the NAACP did just that. It shows that even when the is an 'American Dream' some people live an 'American Nightmare.' It goes to show, these people were just trying to survive, and provide for their families while they were being physically, mentally, and economically attacked. "The Crisis" was a call to arms. And sometimes even today, we need the motivation to do better, and taking a look at history almost always does the trick. Maybe someday we can look back and say, we made it out of "The Crisis."

I only ask of you a simple question, when do you think we will live in a world of peace and prosperity for all, everywhere? Is it an impossibility? Or is it within reach?