Final answer:
Members of NBM were motivated to engage in electoral politics to address both immediate community needs and broader societal issues. This included a desire for tangible improvements, a sense of responsibility, accountability, representation, personal interest in political benefits, and the need to dismantle systemic racism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The motivation of the members of NBM (presumably referring to the broader group of African American activists) to become involved in electoral politics stemmed from a desire to create tangible change and to address the immediate needs of their communities. Initially, the prospect of causing political change through voting seemed intangible to many, but the need to address basic rights such as reading a letter or ordering from a catalog was a pressing matter for those disenfranchised. This personal interest catalyzed involvement in political engagement, which then expanded into a broader vision of political representation.
Further motivating factors included a sense of responsibility and accountability that elected officials felt to their voters, which often incentivized groups that were less active in the voting process to become more engaged to ensure their voices were heard. Additionally, personal interests in political benefits and frustration with the status quo led to greater political participation and the rise of African American politicians. This was not only a response to immediate needs but also part of a broader strategy to dismantle the legacy of racism and promote policies beneficial to African Americans.
Therefore, the intersection of immediate community concerns, potential personal gains from political power, and the broader national issues such as war or movements for civil rights provided a powerful combination of motivators for individuals and groups to engage in electoral politics and seek political leadership positions.