Wilkins' Efforts

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During his tenure, Roy Wilkins tried very hard so that African-Americans could enjoy as many rights as possible. Wilkins especially tried to change the laws for to give African-American equal rights. Wilkins was an active leader of the NAACP. He not only delivered speeches on television and radio, he also wrote extensively for both the African American press and general publications, and testified before numerous congressional hearings, and was an advisor to many United States presidents.

Wilkins is well-known for his behind-the-scenes work with Congress and the White House in efforts to pass civil rights agenda. For example, in order to gather evidence on racial discrimination, Wilkins traveled to south, pretending to be an ordinary black working man. He almost got caught and the plan nearly failed when the storekeeper noted Wilkins' soft hands, proving not to be a normal workman.

Wilkins played a significant role when it came to civil rights legislation. He helped the passage of Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Fair Housing Act of 1968. One of his coworkers, Joe Rauh, how crucial Wilkins' role was. He said,

"I guess you can say Martin was the front man who changed public opinion," said Rauh. "But Roy was the one able to use that shift in public opinion to bring about legislation and legal rulings that benefited blacks, as well as any number of other people." The Legendary Roy Wilkins Auditorium, "Roy Wilkins - The Man," accessed May 31, 2012. http://www.theroy.org/history/RoyTheMan.jsp

Rauh understood how Wilkins practically improved the lives of the African-Americans. Wilkins knew that if the legislations stayed the same, their rights could not change. Therefore, he actively contributed to the American society in order to pass civil rights legislation.

Works Cited:

Altman, Susan. "Wilkins, Roy." Encyclopedia of African-American Heritage, Second Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2000. African-American History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?. 31 May 2012.
"NAACP History: Roy Wilkins" National Assaciation for the Advancement of Colored People. 31 May 2012
"Roy Wilkins - The Man." The Legendary Roy Wilkins Auditorium, 2005. 31 May 2012

"Wilkins, Roy (1901-1981)." Encyclopedia of World Biography. Detroit: Gale, 1998. Gale Biography In Context. Web. 30 May 2012.