BLACK POWER MOVEMENT CONCEPTS MIND MAP CONCEPTS Black Power Movement Militant Black nationalists believed that the use of force was justified in order to gain social, political and economic power for African Americans. It grew out of the Civil Rights Movement but was not a formal movement as it had no central leadership. The Black Power Movement aimed to accelerate the process of change so that African Americans had the same opportunities as whites. Military in attitude; assertive, achieving goals by using force. Radical: Wanting immediate change. Segregation Separation of people according to their race and gender. Conspiracy Elite A plot to do something which is harmful and illegal A group of people considered to be superior in a particular society or organisation. Enfranchisement Having the right to vote Enlightenment Being well informed, open to different views and ideas and free from prejudice or ignorance. Martyr Someone who dies for what he /she believes in Nationalism The sense of belonging to a nation that people feel because they share similar backgrounds and common culture characteristics, which often produces a policy of national independence Oppressor A person of authority who dominates and subjugates others Supremacist A person who insists that one group is better than another, especially a group determined by race or gender BLACK POWER MOVEMENT Reasons for the movement Short-term and long-term gains. Black Panther; Roles of Stokely Carmichael and Malcolm X; and Topic 3: Civil society protests 1950s to 1970s Topic 3 Case Study: ‘The Black Power Exam Guidelines for 2020 This section includes: • Reasons for the movement; • Black Panther; • Roles of Stokely Carmichael and Malcolm X; and • Short-term and long-term gains. Conclusion: Overview of the progress, if any, that was made towards equality and civil rights by the Civil Rights and Black Power movements Key figures: Malcolm X and Stokely Carmichael: leaders of the Black Power Movement. Bobby Searle and Huey Newton: leaders of the Black Panther Party Introduction: The Black Power Movement grew out of black dissatisfaction with the achievements of the Civil Rights Movement in the second half of the 1960s. Reasons for the movement While the Civil Rights Movement had helped achieve the gains of the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act, the economic situation of most African-Americans had not improved significantly. The majority of black people lived in crowded ghettoes, under poor conditions ghettoes were places of poverty and crime. In 1967, one third of all black families lived below the government’s poverty level. Many were unemployed or paid low wages. The police provided little protection; in fact, they were often guilty of brutality at the expense of the inhabitants. Black people were still subject to much discrimination and sometimes open racial abuse and violence. Most African Americans attended under-resourced schools. Inadequate public transport made it difficult for people to take jobs far from their homes. Inadequate health care resulted in a mortality (death) rate for black babies being twice as high as that for white babies. As these conditions persisted, black people, especially in the cities, became disillusioned with the Civil Rights Movement and its practice of non-violent resistance, which many felt to be inadequate. They believed that martin Luther King Junior was too moderate. African-Americans who supported the Black Power Movement believed that using violence was justified if it meant gaining equality for all Americans. Black Power instilled a feeling of racial pride and self-worth in African-Americans. For the first time, they were encouraged to acknowledge their African heritage and take pride in their culture. In June 1966, James Meredith undertook a solitary March against Fear to protest against racism. When he was shot, others took up his march, including the Student’s Non-violent Coordinating Committee. Stokely Carmichael, its new leader, was arrested. Although Carmichael did not invent the term ‘Black Power’ he now proceeded to popularise it. Black Power Malcolm X, leader of the Nation of Islam, was an eloquent advocate for Black Power. Those who supported Black Power believed in: black self-pride and self-esteem (‘Black is Beautiful’ became a very popular slogan.) the promotion of black interests; black self-help self-defence against racial oppression the fostering of a distinctive black culture; a self-sufficient black economy. Black Panther Party Founded by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale in Oaklands, Initial aim was the protection of blacks from police brutality. The Black Panthers were revolutionary socialists The BPP drew up a 10 point programme that included the following demands: Point 3 called for reparations (compensation) for slavery; Point 6 called for black men to be exempt from military service; Point 7 called on black people to form armed groups for self-defence against police brutality and oppression Point 8 called for the release of all imprisoned blacks; Full employment and an end to capitalism Decent housing and sound education for African Americans. They were also involved in violent confrontations with the police, in which about 50 people died, both policemen and Panthers, and many more were injured. Huey Newton was convicted of murdering a policeman in 1967 and served three years before his conviction was set aside on appeal. The BPP also operated what they called ‘survival programmes’ A split in the BPP between ‘reformist’ and ‘revolutionary’ wings developed Eventually internal disputes and rising legal costs caused the Party to fall apart. By 1980, there were only 27 members left. At its height, however the Black Panthers Party (‘for self-defence’ was later dropped) attracted the unwanted attentions of the FBI. Black Panther Party Role of Stokely Carmichael Carmichael became a member of SNCC and a Freedom Rider. He allegiance to Martin Luther King’s passive resistance ideals changed in 1966 after the attack on James Meredith, a civil rights activist engaged in peaceful protest. In 1966 James Meredith embarked on a ‘Walk against Fear’ from Memphis, Tennessee to Jackson, Mississippi in protest against racism. Meredith was shot and wounded in Mississippi and Carmichael decided that SNCC members should complete his walk. Upon reaching Greenwood Mississippi, Carmichael made what has become known as his ‘Black Power” speech. Carmichael urged African Americans to take pride in being black. He was in favour of African dress and Afro hair styles and wanted African Americans to recognise their heritage. Carmichael joined the Black Panther Party and promoted the black power movement as a leader, speaker and writer. Role of Malcolm X An eloquent speaker and dedicated human rights activist, Malcolm X played a key role in the Black Power Movement He was a member of the Nation of Islam (NOI), a Muslim group which taught that white society was deliberately preventing African Americans from empowering themselves. Malcolm X became one of the leaders of the Nation of Islam after he was parolled from prison in 1952. This Islamic sect had the following black nationalist ideas: There could be no integration between black and white Americans. Seperation between black and white Americans was necessary so that black people no longer depended on whites. As a spokesperson for the NOI, Malcolm X’s eloquence and charisma attracted many new members to this organisation.. After a pilgrimage to Mecca in 1963-1964, Malcolm X changed his ideas about integration as he had seen how Muslims of all nationalities and races could live together peacefully Malcolm X founded the Organisation of Afro-American Unity in 1964 He became less militant and adopted views that were not popular with black nationalists. These views included: Not all whites were evil. Black nationalists angered by Malcolm X’s change of heart assassinated him at a party meeting in Harlem on 21 February 1965. The life of one of the most influential African Americans had been cut short, but he is still remembered for raising the self-esteem of African Americans and fighting for their rights. Short-term and long-term gains Greater racial pride and self-confidence among black people. At local level, black political action groups and grassroots associations were set up to campaign around specific issues. Black voters were mobilised to support black candidates for office. Black Study programmes were introduced at universities and colleges. In very general terms, a debate was sparked over the ‘nature of American society and the place of African-Americans in it.’ Some long-term gains of the Black Power Movement were the following: Increased black self-confidence and self-esteem. A related long-term gain would be the sense of greater solidarity [standing together] among African-Americans. A greater sense of ethnic identity also developed over time. This included a sense of a unique African-American culture in music (e.g. soul), fashion, hairstyles (e.g. the Afro), literature, art and even food. Related to these points is the ‘Black is Beautiful’ movement, which emphasised the naturally beauty of African-Americans. Other social justice groups sprang from the example of Black Power, for example, black feminists, environmental movements, affirmative action and gay and lesbian rights’ movements. One other positive development is the growth of multi-culturalism and greater tolerance of cultural differences in the US. However, the Black Power Movement’s rhetoric might well have contributed to the seemingly spontaneous riots that occurred in black areas such as Watts, Los Angeles, in 1965 and Newark, New Jersey and Detroit, Michigan in 1967. Conclusion: An overview of the progress, if any, that was made towards equality and civil rights by the civil rights and Black Power There can be no doubt that the Civil Rights and Black Power Movements helped to bring about significant progress towards equality and civil rights for AfricanAmericans and other minorities. Various Civil Rights acts were passed. The most notable was that of 1964 which outlawed discrimination based on racial, ethnic, national, religious and gender identity. The Act of 1968 made it illegal to discriminate in matter related to housing. The Voting Act of 1965 made it illegal to discriminate in voting practice. Another development has been the application of affirmative action by the federal government, especially in the late 1960s and 1970s. Both movements had the effect of raising black self-confidence and self-esteem. Evidence of this is the growth of the ‘Black is Beautiful’ movement and the rich development of black art and culture in a range of fields. A new respect for black people developed among many whites. A symbol of this was the creation in 1983 of an annual Martin Luther King Jr Day. The economic situation of some black people has improved significantly since the 1960s and a strong black middle class has developed. However poverty persists for many African-Americans who still to this day suffer certain social and educational disadvantages. It is therefore apparent that, despite the significant improvements as a result of the Civil Rights and the Black Power Movements, minorities in the US have not achieved equality in all respects, particularly in economic and social terms.
