During the mid-20th century, the NAACP stood at the center of the fight against Jim Crow laws that enforced racial segregation across the South. Major legal victories like Brown v. Board of Education (1954), argued by Thurgood Marshall, proved that the courts could dismantle discriminatory systems, but events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott revealed the rising power of mass, nonviolent protest. This created internal tension within the NAACP, whose leadership feared that public demonstrations might provoke violent backlash or damage the organization’s credibility. Still, activism led by figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. showed that legal action and community protest were both essential to achieving racial justice. As of 1956, the NAACP faces a critical question: whether to remain focused on courtroom strategies or evolve to embrace a combined approach that linked legal reform with organized, nonviolent civil resistance.

For decades, Black Americans have faced deep political and economic barriers rooted in discrimination, from segregation under Plessy v. Ferguson to limited job access, housing inequality, and exclusion from labor unions. Court victories offered some progress, but systemic issues continued to restrict economic mobility. In the mid-20th century, the Black community and the NAACP are forced to confront the reality that political rights and economic power are inseparable; gaining one requires progress in the other. The challenge has become how to break the cycle in which lack of wealth limits political influence, while limited rights restrict economic opportunity. Moving forward, activists need to decide whether to prioritize political strategies, economic strategies, or a coordinated approach using the courts, community organizing, and policy pressure to achieve long-term racial equality. 

Nathan D’Souza, a Maggie Walker Junior, is thrilled to co-chair the NAACP! This will be his third year in Model UN and second year participating in GSMUN. Apart from Model UN, he plays club soccer for Richmond United and participates in many more clubs and extracurricular activities. Apart from Model UN, Nathan is president of the Engineering Club, Arabic Honor Society, and Arabic Club, founder of the non-profit, STEPS, and vice president for both Mock Trial and the non-profit Money Matters. Outside of school, Nathan loves to play sports with friends and enjoys travelling with his family. He’s excited to meet you all and can’t wait for an amazing conference at GSMUN XXVIII.

Allison Aviles Quintanilla, a senior at Maggie Walker, is elated to be your co-chair for the GSMUN XXVIII NAACP committee! She has been involved with Model UN for two years officially, but has been an active volunteer at GSMUN since freshman year. In the past, Allison has served as a mock delegate and crisis staffer. Outside of Model UN, she is part of the girls’ wrestling team and sprint team. She is also the co-president for the Spanish Honor Society and manages the XC team. Allison also enjoys being a part of the MLWGS Peer Mentors and working as a barista on the weekends. She is looking forward to meeting the incredible delegates at GSMUN XXVIII!