Stop Segregation By Naacp
In Confronting the Veil Jonathan Scott Holloway discusses three very significant social scientists who pushed the envelope on what it means to be a black intellectual in America. E Franklin Frazier tackled academic segregation and race politics which caused him to be a controversial individual. Whereas, Abraham Harris Jr. spoke on objectivity and race leadership through his radical perspective. Lastly, Ralph Bunche discussed the responsibilities of the public intellectual and was “skilled at political neutrality”(Holloway 157). Each person discussed, contributed to the study of Africana Studies through their unique social science lenses that ultimately helped shape many of the classes people take today. Holloway speaks of these almost forgotten figures to recognize and highlight their achievements, as a lot of the work they did back then can be used to help toil through some of the challenges of today. This review will walk through each individual's distinctive experience working as a social scientist, and their connection to Africana Studies.
E Franklin Frazier known as the “The lost soul” (Holloway 202) tackled many different topics as a social scientist. Frazier career was built on his work discussing the black family, and black institutions. In his work he tried to find a way to break down racial segregation, as it played a huge impact into the education that blacks were reciving, as well as it overall negative impact on the black community. One book that put Frazier in the public eye was The Negro Family In the United States, which discussed “A national effort is required that will give a unity of purpose to many activities of the Federal government in this area, directed to a new kind of national goal: the establishmnet of a stable Negro family structure”(Frazier ii). Frazier knew the way to go about rebuilding black communities was by creating stable environments that started in the home. Being a social scientist Frazier looked at social relationships and that is how he was able to identify the problem of black families. Frazier even believed that the African American culture we know of today isn't tied to Africa due to Africans being forced to adopt the “American” way when brought to this country. Frazier connected culture to the larger world in which we live. Many people steered clear of Frazier as he did what he wanted. For instance he didn't pay the voting tax, as he could not vote. Frazier believed that you did not have to be elite to participate in society and contribute in the worldwide view. He spoke on how certain graduate programs at HBCUs were great, but how Howard was the only one to have enough funds to support all of its graduate programs. Frazier also had a critique of the NAACP, he believed that they could stop segregation. The NAACP to him wasn’t aggressive enough therefore not able to push the black agenda. Frazier believed that blacks status in society was due to economic and social forces. He spread this message so communities could understand, and begin to take steps towards uplifting themselves. Frazier then began to wonder, “what might happen if blacks were considered racially inferior, and culturally african”(Holloway 155). Here you see the social science lenses begin to question essentially what is black culture, and how does that fit into today’s society. Even though Frazier’s view on the black culture we have today is that it doesn't have a direct tie to Africa, his point of view brought up the discussion of what is black culture tied to, and this is something that is even discussed today. Frazier fierce personality didn’t allow for him to get feedback from many people, but it did allow him to successfully advocate and fight for what he believed in. He was known for being the voice of the working people. Frazier examination of what was going on at the time through his social scientist lense mixed with his personality allowed for discussions that were not being done before to take place.
Abrham Harris Jr. known as the “invisible one” (Holloway 199) was able to accomplish so much even though he was viewed as a radical. Harris arrived in 1928, and was in charge of the Economics department (Holloway 85). At Howard his radical views allowed him to known outside of just the college community. Harris’s reputation, “emerged from the fact that he was a pioneer in the study of black economic life, with a particular emphasis upon black labor”(Holloway 88). Under the umbrella of Black labor harris pushed the agenda for changing “black workers social conditions” (Holloway 88). Harris was relatable to the people, Thus allowed him to gain popularity among young intellectuals. Harris worked on creating the new ground work as the NAACP was trying to rebrand itself. He worked alone, and even request that the committee not come to his home to make the decision as he wanted it to be fair (Holloway 94). Harris said, ‘‘there are certain proprieties that some people can’t ignore” (NAACP Papers). This shows how Harris was a fair man, and he understood how the human brian worked. Harris proposal for the NAACP had many different aspects that focused on the leadership and structure. Harris was, “opening the door for the formation of a new workers’ party during a time when most still believed that the Republican Party represented the only viable choice for black Americans and when the naacp steadfastly refused to enter partisan politics”(Weiss 3-33). Harris as a social scientist was constructing the new NAACP in a way that would allow the organization to make connections with the people. Also, to show the NAACP how they can economically help and support the people that they are fighting for. Harris plan wasn’t completely accepted due to his strong economic view compared to the NAACP civil rights view (Holloway 102). Since they weren’t accepting his views harris quit the board, since Harris was getting frustrated with the process. Harris was rejected multiple times, but nothing stood in his way he keep going until he eventually went down a different path, thus being invisible. Even though a lot of what Harris discussed in the NAACP was rejected, it later became important to the NAACP as times changed. Harris belief that civil rights was connected to economics was actually very important to the development of black communities. The only way he was able to make this connection was from his study of social science mixed with his want to help advance the African American community.
Ralph Bunche known as the “prodigal son” (Holloway 205) was able to open many doors for African Americans. Bunche wasn't liked by all because unlike Frazier and Harris, Bunche was seen as “a white folk nigger” (Holloway 158). He pushed for students that graduated from princeton to be transitioned into the federal government. This was so they could work to fix the problems of the working class. Bunche believed that race was centered around class (Holloway 158). He was strategic with his work, Bunche was never in the background but never in the forefront. Bunche came from a very diverse background, he studied everywhere from germany to Africa. Bunche started to become mainstream after he started to work for the rupublican party (Holloway 184). Even though he was working with the republcian party Bunche didn't let his morals be altered. Bunche said, “Never forget that you own something to your people” (American Odyssey). Bunche felt, “black colleges had to trumpet the virtues of democracy more than ever before. Black schools had to do everything possible to develop in their students and in society at large an ‘‘ardent faith in the principles of democracy’’ and to make a‘‘fetish of the worship of democracy’’’(Holloway 190). Bunche was urging people to believe in democracy, so they could be apart of society. Even though Bunche didn’t publish a lot, he was involved in many projects that helped solidify his legacy (Holloway 194). Bunche was able to accomplish anything, and was even apart of the United Nations and was seen as a valuable political figure for the black community
These three social scientists were different, but each one has left a lasting legacy. E Franklin Frazier was able to do his own thing but still be impactful. He was able to keep the students of howard with their “militant spirit” (Holloway 205). Frazier ideas and his work with social relationships can be seen be seen today with how we discuss certain members of black family, and their impacts on one another and the community. Abrham Harris Jr. was very vocal with his beliefs, and was deemed a radical. The economic viewpoint allowed for him to be able to help construct the NAACP, which we learn about. Also they were able to accomplish more after the reworking by Harris even though his plan was implemented right away. Ralph Bunche was the most calm out of the bunch, but he had a very big effect on the African American community. Henry wrote, ‘‘[Bunche’s] seventy-plus honorary degrees were the most ever received by a living American” (Henry 157). Bunche was all around was very versatile and his social scientist lense allowed for him to have a certain view which gave him many projects. Also, his belief in democracy pushed its importance into the black community. These leaders were able to help the advancement of African Americans. Holloway choose these specific leaders because of how vital their social scientist lenses played into their work. Everything they did raised questions that people are still trying to figure out. Not only that but their work changed some of the ways people look at African Amercan culture, thus affecting Africana studies at many places all over the world.
