Robert Williams On American Democracy

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Robert F. Williams was a son, a husband, and a soldier. Above all, however, Robert F. Williams was an American. He believed in empowering the black people so that they could become a significant figure in the American public. Although American society and American democracy had its pitfalls, Robert Williams was ultimately a believer in these two areas in that they could bring about equality for every person in America. In 1954 while Williams was in the Marine Corps he learned that the United States Supreme Court had struck down school segregation. He wrote: “At last I felt that I was a part of America and that I belonged. I was sure that this was the beginning of a new era of American democracy” (Negroes with Guns, xviii). Upon returning home from the Marines, Robert Williams perceptions of American society and American democracy changed due to the picketing of a town swimming pool in Monroe, North Carolina, the subsequent arrival of Freedom Riders, and …show more content…
Georgia White and Mrs. Mary Ruth Reid all changed Robert Williams perceptions on American society and American democracy for the worse. What was once a perception of hope and optimism turned into one of shame and despise. As a great quote by Henry David Thoreau goes, “It seems as if no man had ever died in America before; for in order to die you must first have lived” (Negroes with Guns, 85). Negroes of this time period were discriminated against, they were looked down upon, and had to fight for every right they had. American society and American democracy of this time period was complicit in allowing violence towards the innocent protestors and they turned a blind eye on more than one occasion. However, the pain and suffering of the Negro people of the past is not in vain as the black people today are closer than ever to equality, and equality is how things should

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