W.E.B. Du Bois left the NAACP in 1934 primarily due to a significant ideological rift with the organization's leadership over his controversial stance on segregation.
A Deepening Divide Over Segregation
Du Bois, a co-founder of the NAACP and long-time editor of its influential magazine, The Crisis, developed views on segregation that diverged sharply from the NAACP's core mission. While the NAACP firmly advocated for complete integration and the dismantling of all forms of segregation, Du Bois began to view the "separate but equal" status as an acceptable, albeit temporary, pragmatic position for African Americans under certain conditions.
He believed that, given the pervasive racial discrimination of the era, focusing solely on integration might hinder the immediate development of Black communities. Instead, he proposed that if segregated institutions could genuinely provide equal resources and opportunities, they could serve as a necessary foundation for Black economic empowerment, cultural development, and collective strength. This perspective was a significant departure from the NAACP's legal strategy, which sought to challenge and overturn Plessy v. Ferguson's "separate but equal" doctrine, eventually leading to Brown v. Board of Education.
Resignation from Key Roles
The growing disagreement over this fundamental issue led to Du Bois's ultimate departure. His controversial viewpoint on segregation created an irreconcilable conflict with the NAACP's unwavering commitment to desegregation.
His resignation involved two key roles:
- He stepped down as editor of The Crisis, a position he had held since its inception in 1910, effectively using it as a platform for Black intellectual discourse and civil rights advocacy.
- He also resigned from the NAACP board, severing his formal ties with the organization he helped establish.
Following his departure, Du Bois returned to academia, taking up a position at Atlanta University, where he continued his scholarly work and advocacy for racial equality through different avenues.
You can learn more about W.E.B. Du Bois's impactful career and his relationship with the NAACP on the NAACP's official website.
