A Pictorial Biography: Clarence Mitchell Jr.Main MenuA Pictorial Biography: Clarence Mitchell Jr.Biographical SectionsErica Cavanaugh4e4deeebc4cbee6daa4e3b78bae785da5e73f1b8To our knowledge, The Papers of Clarence Mitchell Jr. has been granted permission to use all images displayed or they are in the public domain. Please contact the project at https://www.clarencemitchellpapers.com/contact if there are any copyright con
Roy Wilkins, Autherine Lucy and Thurgood Marshall, 1956
12020-07-14T17:24:26+00:00Erica Cavanaugh4e4deeebc4cbee6daa4e3b78bae785da5e73f1b811Roy Wilkins (left), NAACP executive secretary, and Thurgood Marshall, NAACP special counsel, with Autherine Lucy, whom they were representing in her attempt to desegregate the University of Alabama. Southerners in 1956 accused the NAACP of being subversive, of attempting to divide the nation, and of aiming at “mongrelization” of the races. More moderate critics accused the NAACP of moving too fast in an effort to end segregation. Wilkins denied the attacks. He countered that, contrary to attempting to move too fast, the desegregation efforts had been going on for years, at a very slow pace. He said: “We’re being pictured as extremists. We’re being equated unfairly with the White Citizens’ Councils despite the fact that we are proceeding within the law, which is as slow as a snail, but the councils aren’t.” He added that the NAACP recognized the difficulties and had not asked for federal troops to enforce the Supreme Court’s 1954 decision. It would be very glad to discuss the problems with responsible groups of white southerners, he said. (AP news photo)plain2020-07-14T17:24:26+00:00Library of CongressErica Cavanaugh4e4deeebc4cbee6daa4e3b78bae785da5e73f1b8