Biography

Walter White

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Portrait of an older Black man with light skin and short white hair, Walter White, that was used to promote White's book
Promotional portrait of Walter White, 1955.
Source: Blackstone Studios, The New York Public Library.

Walter Francis White was a prominent African American civil rights activist and leader during the Civil Rights Movement. He played a crucial role as the executive secretary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) from 1931 to 1955. White’s light skin allowed him to “pass” as white, granting him unique access to spaces and opportunities that other activists couldn’t easily access. This enabled him to gather critical information about racial injustices and to advocate for change on both personal and systemic levels. Throughout his career, White faced complex decisions related to civil rights, the Cold War, and the challenges of upholding his beliefs amidst political tensions.

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  • A Black man with very light skin, a grey mustache, and short grey wavy hair sits in front of a colorful background facing the photographer while looking down and to the viewer's left.

    Lesson Plan

    Walter White: Advocate in Changing Times

    This lesson explores the complexity of former NAACP president Walter White’s public views during the Cold War Era and reveals some of the divisions within the civil rights movement as McCarthyism intensified.

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