The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change
Young, Whitney M.
b. 1921 - d. 1971
Whitney Young attended Kentucky State College and after graduation enlisted in the U.S. Army. His experience successfully mediating conflicts between black soldiers and white officers during World War II inspired him to pursue further work in race relations. After earning his master’s degree in social work from the University of Minnesota, he was dean of the School of Social Work at Atlanta University. In 1961, Young became executive director of the National Urban League. At Dr. King’s request, Young addressed the 1962 Annual Convention of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). The two worked closely as part of the Council for United Civil Rights Leadership. Although the Urban League’s focus was social service, Young co-sponsored the March on Washington. His proposal for a domestic Marshall Plan was partially incorporated into President Johnson’s War on Poverty. Young spoke out against the Vietnam War only after Johnson left office.
Associated Archive Content : 53 results
"DuBois State Memorial Proposed; Would Be in Great Barrington"William F. Bell writes an article concerning a proposed W. E. Dubois State Memorial in Great Barrington. |
American Negro Leadership Conference on Africa MemorandumTheodore Brown, Executive Director of the American Negro Leadership Conference on Africa, provides a progress report on ANLCA's work on Nigeria, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and Southwest Africa (now Namibia). He mentions that the group offered to help the Nigerian federal government and the four regions mediate the conflict that resulted in the Nigeria-Biafra Civil War (1967-1970). |
Answers in the American WayThis text derives from a television show outlining the facts of the Black Panther Party. In attendance were civil rights activist like Dr. King, Stokely Carmichael, H. Rapp Brown and their affiliates within the Civil Rights Movement. |
Article Briefly Summarizing MLK's Life, Leadership and AccomplishmentsThis article acknowledges the many accomplishments made by Dr. King. The writer cites the various highlights of Dr. King's work and maintains "...America will never be the same." |
Congressional Record Regarding Antipoverty FundingThis Congressional Record documents a statement regarding the antipoverty bill. The statement, made to the public by the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, urged Congress to support funding towards eradicating poverty for both black and white citizens. |
Four Top Rights Leaders Considering Africa TripRoy Wilkins, Dr. King, Whitney Young, and A. Philip Randolph, four of America's top civil rights leaders, are considering making a trip to Africa to stop the war in Nigeria. These leaders also serve as members on the call committee of the American Negro Leadership Conference on Africa. |
Invitation from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority to MLKThis is a program for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's Forty-First Boule in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The event features Dr. King as a guest speaker. |
Joint Statement on Violence in the CitiesDr. King, A. Philip Randolph, Whitney M. Young Jr., and Roy Wilkins issue a joint statement urging Negro Americans in cities such as Newark and Detroit to end the public disorder and rioting. The civil rights leaders emphasize the potential damage the urban riots pose to "the Negro population, to the civil rights cause, and to the entire nation." |
King Finds New TargetThis article from The Topeka Daily Capital discusses Dr. King's stance on the Vietnam War. Dr. King verbalizes his stance after seeing anti-poverty funds being used for war. The article also mentions civil rights leaders who are against joining both causes for civil rights and world peace. |
Let's Be HumanLong time civil rights agitator Harry Fleischman wrote this syndicated column for the American Jewish Committee's National Labor Service. Articles within the column took a humorous and often irreverent view of social and civil rights issues around the globe. Fleischman was also the national secretary of the Socialist Party USA from 1942-50. |
Letter and Article from D. Parke Gibson to MLKD. Parke Gibson sends this article in Race Relations and Industry to Dr. King with the intention of including him in a future issue of the magazine. Those involved in the article agree that progress towards having minorities in leadership roles is on the rise, but not fast enough. |
Letter from A. Phillip Randolph to MLKMr. Randolph addresses his concerns with current events that could potentially harm the Civil Rights Movement. His list of developments includes Malcolm X's promotion of rifle clubs, the use of propaganda tactics to separate white people from the Civil Rights Movement, the increasing totalitarian influence on protest groups in northern cities and demagogic leadership that creates confusion and frustration. Mr. Randolph requests a meeting to discuss how to address these issues. |
Letter from Edward Rutledge and Jack Wood to Robert WeaverEdward Rutledge and Jack E. Wood Jr. represent the National Committee Against Discrimination in Housing, Center for Fair Housing. They expound on housing, planning policies, and programs for New York City. In addition, they affirm their belief that policy-makers should include and reflect the concerns of the minority. |
Letter from Harry Wachtel to MLKMr. Wachtel, Dr. King's legal counsel, provides an update on pending matters regarding the American Foundation of Non-Violence. |
Letter from Helen E. Saum to MLKMs. Saum applauds the positive attitude and accomplishments of organizations like the National Urban League, which she contrasts with the marches and riots that she feels hinder goodwill and cooperation. |
Letter From Leslie W. DunbarLeslie Dunbar outlines information regarding a grant and various agency protocols from the Southern Regional Council for voter registration. |
Letter from Maurice Dawkins to MLKMaurice Dawkins, Assistant Director for Civil Rights of the Office of Economic Opportunity, invites Dr. King to attend a meeting aimed at funding summer projects for riot-prone cities. Mr. Dawkins has already encouraged President Johnson to help fund $75 million for summer programs. |
Letter from MLK to Rev. Curtis J. JacksonDr. King notifies Rev. Jackson that he will not be able to travel to Orlando, but offers that he'll hopefully be able to accept more invitations in the near future. In addition, he requested that Rev. Jackson come and visit the Annual Convention of S.C.L.C. in Birmingham, Alabama. |
Letter from Mrs. Eugene B. Stinson to Mr. Roy WilkinsMrs. Stinson of Pennsylvania writes Mr. Wilkins suggesting that all of the major civil rights organizations merge together to form one organization. She believes this will create a unified front in the fight for racial equality. In addition, Mrs. Stinson provides a list of suggestions this new organization could implement to facilitate change. |
Letter from Ned French to MLKA high school student requests the political opinions of several famous individuals concerning the national issues and potential candidates of the 1968 presidential election. |
Letter from Norman Thomas to the New York Times EditorNorman Thomas cites an excerpt from a story by Peter Khiss entitled "Rowan Terms Dr. King's Stand on War a Peril to Rights Gains." Mr. Thomas asserts that the statement is incorrect and that he whole "heartily" applauds Dr. King's stance on the Vietnam War. |
Letter from Robert Bondy to MLKThough a long time supporter of Dr. King, Robert Bondy, criticizes for Dr. King for mixing the issues of civil rights and Vietnam. He argues that speaking out against Vietnam has only further inflamed opponents of the Civil Rights Movement, and Dr. King has thrown back the movment "for a long time to come." |
Letter from Theodore Brown to MLKIn a letter to Dr. King, Mr. Brown encloses an article pertaining to Nigeria being on the brink of disintegration and civil war. |
Letter from Theodore Brown to MLKTheodore Brown writes Dr. King requesting his signature on a telegram to President Johnson from the American Negro Leadership Conference on Africa expressing disapproval of South Africa's rule over South West Africa and requesting U.S. support for turning over administration to the United Nations. |
Letter from Theodore Brown to MLKThe American Negro Leadership Conference on Africa writes an uplifting message to General Yakubu Gowon of Lagos, Nigeria. They extend a "hand in friendship" to bring the war in Nigeria to an end. |
Letter from Theodore Brown to MLK and OthersThis is a memorandum from Theodore E. Brown concerning his trip to Nigeria. Brown attaches a newspaper article referencing the turmoil in Nigeria. |
Letter from Theodore E. Brown to MLK and OthersMr. Theodore Brown informs Dr. King and other members of the ANLCA's call committee of vaccinations required when traveling internationally. |
Letter from Wallace Terry to MLKThe Washington Post anticipates Dr. King's presence as their speaker for the Public Lecture Series "One Hundred Years of Freedom." However, the coordinator of the event, Wallace Terry, understands that Dr. King's imprisonment in the Birmingham jail might prevent Dr. King from appearing. Terry suggests that the Reverends Fred Shuttlesworth, Ralph Abernathy or Wyatt Walker could serve as a substitute. Lastly, Terry pledges to collect an offering for the SCLC. |
Letter from Whitney M. Young to FriendsWhitney Young, Executive Director of the National Urban League, urges African Americans to educate themselves on the opportunities that the U.S. Navy offers. |
Letter Regarding the Emergency Convocation of the Urban CoalitionA letter drafted by Andrew Heiskell and A. Philip Randolph, co-Chairmen of the Urban Coalition. includes article clippings from various newspapers discussing the dire need for public service employment, private employment, educational disparities, reconstruction and urban development, and equal housing opportunities. |