Congress of Racial Equality

The Congress of Racial Equality was an organization that played an larger part in the Civil Rights Movement. It was created in 1942 by James Farmer, Jr., George Houser, Bernice Fisher, and James Robinson. The purpose of the Congress of Racial Equality was to form an organization that would operate and advocate for changes regarding racial issues, in a non-violent fashion.

Under the Congress of Racial Equality there were many chapters which; these chapters were all organized under the same structure; they had officers, monthly meetings, and adhered to the bylaws that were set forth by the overarching Congress of Racial Equality. These various chapters were also comprised of a number of volunteers who would take on various tasks and efforts regarding racial equality and organization of movements.

This organization operated under the idea that anyone could join if they were devoted and determined to see positive change regarding racial equality. There were various areas that were focused on depending upon what area of the United States a group was in. When it came to the North, the Congress of Racial Equality focused primarily on discrimination regarding education, housing, and and employment. In the South, the Congress of Racial Equality fought for the right to vote for individuals who were being discriminated against. They also fought against discrimination regarding jobs, and fought against segregation which was a larger issue.

However, founding members and important officials felt a wave of change regarding the Congress of Racial Equality when certain sentiments of nationalism growing within the party. This is where the party had a separation of certain individuals an regrouped.

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