The NAACP, or the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, is one of the oldest and most prominent civil rights organizations in the United States. Founded in 1909, the NAACP was established in response to the ongoing racism and discrimination faced by African Americans, particularly in the wake of the Jim Crow laws that enforced racial segregation in the South.
The organization's mission is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all people and to eliminate racial hatred and discrimination. Over the years, the NAACP has been involved in various civil rights struggles, including efforts to end segregation in public schools (notably the landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education in 1954), advocating for voting rights, fighting against discriminatory practices in housing and employment, and promoting social justice initiatives.
The NAACP operates through a network of local branches and has been instrumental in leading campaigns, conducting research, and advocating for policy changes at local, state, and national levels. It continues to address issues related to civil rights, racial equity, and social justice in contemporary society.