African American Political Theorists Flashcards
African American Political Theorists
Thomas Jefferson said
Deep roots prejudices entertained by the whites tennise thousand recollections by the Blacks of the injuries they have sustained
new provocations
the real distinctions which nature has made
blacks should be colonized to such a place as the circumstances of the time should render most proper
free and independent
us gov should be responsible when they come out of slavery for their well being. aa and whites could never live in the same government
regardless of whether your free or not
you and my people will ever be equal in the US
in the state of nature we are all equal but in this country this will never be true
Abraham Lincoln
AA political thought
you’re race is suffering and my race is suffering just from being around each other
because of this they cannot live in the same place
AA has suffered the greatest injustice, and
the aspiration of all men is to enjoy equality, not a single man of your race is made the equal of a single man of ours.
you will never achieve equality in the US
Go to a place that you will be treated fairly
when AAs have babies their babies won’t have equality either.
why are you so attached to white people?
William Edward Burghardt DeBois
American civil rights activists, leader, pan-africanist, sociologist, educator, historian, writer, editor poet and scholar. Born and raised in Great Barrington Massachusetts
high school validictorian
Fisk University in Nashville
harvard
university of Berlin
dissertation: “ the suppression of the African Slave Trade to the United States of America 1638-1870”
published as number 1 in Harvard historical series
Became assistant instructor in sociology at the University of Pennsylvania
pioneering sociological study of an urban community published as the Philadelphia Negro: A social Study (1899)
these first two works assured DuBois’s place among America’s leading scholar
professor of economic and history at Atlanta University
Booker T Washington
Born 1856 nov 4 1915
Booker Taliaferro Washington
educator and reformer
first president and principal developer of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute and the most influential spokesman for black Americans between 1895 and 1915
born in a slave hut after emmancipation then moved to west virigina
started working at age nine at salt furnace than Cole mine
Hampton normal and agricultural institute
now hampton university
after studying at Wayland seminary then he joined the staff of Hampton
up from slavery: most famous book
nothing at Tuskegee when he arrived
what did washington believe the best interests of black people in the post reconstruction era?
education in the crafts and industrial skills and the cultivation of the virtues of patience, enterprise, and thrift.
temporarily abandon their efforts to win full civil rights and political power and instead to cultivate their industrial and farming skills so as to attain economic security
Washington envisioned as a way out of poverty for black Southerners. He believed and taught that education of a practical, vocation-oriented variety would lead to African American prosperity. Political power along with respectability in the eyes of the white majority would (Washington argued) follow from economic security
blacks in the white community according to Washington
accept segregation and discrimination but their eventual acquisition of wealth and culture would gradually win for them the respect and acceptance to the white community. This would break down the divisions between the two races and lead to equal citizenship for blacks in the end.
In all things that are purely social we can be separate as the fingers, yet one as the hand in all things essential to mutual progress
booker t economics or civil rights?
As a former slave, W keep to themselves and focus on the daily tasks of survival rather than leading a grand uprising.
Believed that building a strong economic base more critical at that time than planning an uprising or fighting for equal rights.
Washington los stated in his famous Atlanta compromise speech in 1895 that blacks had to accept segregation int the short term as they focused on economic gain to achieve political equality in the future. important rolee model for later leaders of the civil rights movement
booker t education
he believed that an education of a practical, vocational oriented variety would lead to African American prosperity. political power along with respectability in the eyes of the white majority would (Washington argued) follow from economic security
booker t two races in the south
He believed that blacks and whites should agree to benefit from each other
this naturally leads to his main point about wanting to cultivate friendship between the two races in the south. not only tolerance, but also friendship will be necessary to ensure long-term prosperity for all. The location of the speech - an event designed to highlight economic progress int he South - served as a richly symbolic backdrop for Washington’s discussion of the region’s future
booker t political power for AA
AA’s came into political power too early after slavery ended
instead of describing emancipation as a victory for black American describes a leap to freedom which will make some time to get used to. Washington flatters his white audience by describing AA’s sudden accession to political power as a misstep
during the heady days of reconstruction,he says, AA had rushed to claim privileges and responsibilities for which they were unprepared
Malcom X
Biography
Roots
Autobiography of Malcom X (Alex haley)(
original name Malcom Little
el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz
born Omaha Nebraska
died in ny ny
Earl Little: X’s father. minister, and supports of Marcus garvy, died by being hit by a street car
Louise little: mother. very poor mom resorted to cooking dandelion greens to feed children
insane asylum in 1939 substance and mental
foster care
died by assassination
X bio continued
seventh grade: smartest in school
eight grade: teacher said he should be a carpenter instead of a lawyer. “no black person would ever trust you and no white person would ever hire you”
Moved from mason Michigan to Roxbury section of Boston to live with half sister Ella
both involved in criminal activities
“Detroit red”
reddish tinge in his hair, street hustler, drug dealer, leader of a gang of theives in Roxbury and Harlem
Prison time for X***
1946-1952
underwent a conversion that eventually led him to join the Nation of Islam AA movement that combined elements of Islam with black nationalism
went through hunger strikes due to pork
Influenced by brother Reginald
Quit smoking, gambling, prostitution
forensic skills by participation in debate classes.
memorized dictionary
Why did Malcom little change his last name to X
in nation of islam you must change your last name from little to x because their family names have originated with white slaveholders
After Malcom X release from prison
helped lead the NOI during the period of its greatest growth and influence.
met Elijah Muhammad in chicago in 1952
began organizing temples for the nation in New York, Philly and Boston and in cities in the south
founded NOI newspaper, Muhammad Speaks
initiated the practice of requiring every male member of the Nation to sell and assigned number of newspapers on the street as a recruiting and fundraising technique
articulated the nations racial doctrines on the inherent evil of whites and the natural superiority of blacks
Malcom X Elijah Muhammad named him what **
botton temple no 11
recognizing this talent and ability Elijah Muhammad who had a special affection for Malcom named him th National representantive of the Nations of Islam, second in rank to Muhammad himself.
Under Malcom’s lieutenancy, the Nation claimed a membership of 500,000.
the actual number of members fluctuated, however, and the influence of the organization, refracted through the public persona of Malcom X, always greatly exceeded its size
the rise of Malcom X
articular public speaker, charasmatic personality, and indefatigable organizer, X represented pent up anger frustration and bitterness of African Americans during the major phase of the civil rights movement
1955-1965
He preached on the streets of Harlem and spoke at major universities like Harvard and Oxford
formidable critic of American society
criticized mainstream civil rights movement challenging MLK on integration and violence
3 most important issues to X
contrast to king
the word negro
more was at stake than civil rights
most important issues were black identity, integrity and independence.
In contrast to king, Malcom urged his followers to defend themselves by “any means necessary”
He critiqued the word negro provided the intellectual foundations for black power and black consciousness movements int e US in the late 60s and 70s
through the influence of the Nation of Islam, Malcom X helped to change the term used to refer to AA from Negro, colored, black and Afro American
Ballet of the Bullet
four things he argued for
agrues for racial, economic, and social justice
did not want religion to stand in the way of justice
X and political leaders
a desire for the Black common city to discontinue supporting White politicians is expressed and the speaker wants to support to be redirected to Black political leaders
Malcom does not want the black community to endorse black political leaders who have been bought and paid for by white political leaders
X views on religion
“I do not believe in fighting today on any one front, but on all fronts. I am a Black Nationalist Freedom fighter. Islam is my religion but I believe my religion is my personal business”
did not want religion to stand in the way of justice
preachers including MLK are most known for their work for justice, not religion
His islam was his own business because religious differences can hinder solidarity. keep religion private: it is between you and your God. He believes this is the best way. if we discussed religion, we would come out with more differences than when we began.
when we keep religion private, were able to join together in a common fight against a common enemy.
religion will keep us fighting one another instead of a common enemy
political Philosophy of Black nationalism according to X
strong concern with offering a practical understanding the political philosophy of black nationalism
the black man should control the politics and the politicians in his own community. the day of the white man can come into our community and get us to vote for them is long gone. this also goes for the negro sent in by the white man with white man interests.
if we are going to live in a black community, which we are because as soon as an area is mixed it eventually goes back to just being white, we must understand the politics of our community and we must know what politics is supposed to produce. we must know what part politics plays in our lives.
black nationalism is about developing a healthy black community that relies on its black membership for economic sufficiency and that refuses to be manipulated by whites
until black people become politically mature, they will continue to be misled into voting for politicians who do not have the black communities byes interests at heart
he believes black people need a political reeducation to open our peoples eyes and make them politically conscious and mature. the ballot will then be cast for a man of the community who has the good of the community at heart.
Economic philosophy of black nationalism according to X
we should own, operate and control the economy of our community. the white man is smart enough to not let anyone come in and control the economy of his community. But black people will let anyone combine and control the economy, housing, education, jobs, and businesses.
blacks should spend their money in only the communities in which they live. When they spend their money in communities outside of the ones in which they reside, those communities become richer and the black communities becomes poorer
A re-education of Black people must take place to enable them to comprehend how to build and maintain wealth within their own community. He entreats Blacks to stop giving Whites their money and invest their money within the Black community. Because Blacks have not been creating their own stores, they have made it possible for White men to establish stores in Black neighborhoods, thus making those White men richer each day.
reeducation in supporting black business, but also a reeducation in the importance of going into business.
you are then also able to create employment in your own community. anytime you have to rely on an enemy for a job, yourself in bad shape.
the community in which you spend your money becomes richer and richer. stop spending it with the Man, because the man is now becoming richer and richer. your community, then becomes poorer and poorer. a slum. a ghetto. you are running down yourselves when you take the dollar out.
the e philosophy of bn shows our people the importance of setting up these little store and developing them into larger businesses.
“trapped” X
trapped in an economic system and mindset that does not profit them. “we’re trapped because we haven’t had sense enough to set up stores and control the businesses of our community. so were trapped, double trapped, triple trapped”
he therefore offers them the economic and political philosophy of black nationalism to help dismantle the economic imprisonment they have allowed whites to cause them to embrace unconsciously
the speech does not simply call for black people to develop little stores but to expand these stores into much larger operations larger operations inevitably having national reach.
black people must develop businesses and support black businesses.
when black people start businesses they are able to employ black people. X doesn’t want black people to have to rely on their oppressors for jobs.
singing and swinging X
questions the power of religion to aid blacks in fighting their oppressors. blacks need to focus on actions to combat oppression and leave religion in the closet.
he proclaims its time to stop singing “we shall overcome” and start swinging. you can’t sing up on freedom, but you can swing up on freedom.
you cannot sing your way to freedom but you can swing your way to freedom
self-help X
white liberals and government have failed black people. blacks should turn top themselves and not others.
“a do it yourself philosophy”
they must realize liberation will come from heir own efforts. he champions a self-help philosophy for black progression. black nationalism is a self-help philosophy
Booker T and Tuskeegee
In 1881 Washington was selected to head a newly established normal school for African Americans at Tuskegee, an institution with two small converted buildings, no equipment, and very little money. Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute became a monument to his life’s work. •At his death 34 years later, it had more than 100 well-equipped buildings, some 1,500 students, a faculty of nearly 200 teaching 38 trades and professions, and an endowment of approximately $2 million
Where did booker T give his speech, when and why
Booker T. Washington’s speech, given during the opening ceremonies of the Cotton States and International Exposition 30 years after the Civil War, in 1895 in Atlanta, Georgia, was a significant contribution to this long civil rights process.
Andrew Johnson in reconstruction
In April 1865 Lincoln was assassinated, and Andrew Johnson (1808–1875) became the new president. Because of his strong belief in states’ rights to govern themselves, Johnson gave the newly constituted Southern politicians the power to regulate the transition from slavery to freedom. This approach, known as Presidential Reconstruction because of its association with President Andrew Johnson, lasted for about two years (1865–67). It eventually provoked a powerful backlash from Northerners.
1890’s in the south
By the 1890s the South was in a state of seemingly perpetual crisis. Black Southerners were kept away from polling places by intimidation and repressive laws. Lynchings, or mob killings without a legitimate trial, and other acts of violence against African Americans were on the rise. The victims of such injustices seldom found a sympathetic ear in the region’s courtrooms. In this hostile climate, it seemed unlikely African Americans could ever attain true equality with their white counterparts
how does Washington begin his speech?
Washington begins his speech by pointing out that African Americans make up a third of the population in the South, a fact that would have been obvious to his listeners but whose implications he wished to spell out further. This fact supports Washington’s larger, less immediate point that whatever happens to black Southerners will have serious ramifications for the South at large. He then extends gratitude for the generosity being extended by the president and directors of the exposition
Washington transitions from the introduction of his speech to which main point?
This naturally leads to his main point about wanting to cultivate friendship between the two races in the South. Not only tolerance, but also friendship will be necessary to ensure long-term prosperity for all. The location of the speech—an event designed to highlight economic progress in the South—served as a richly symbolic backdrop for Washington’s discussion of the region’s future.
political power after slavery according to Booker T
he also begins his address by stating that African Americans had come into political power too early after slavery ended. Instead of describing emancipation as a victory for black Americans, he describes a leap to freedom, which will take some time to get used to. Washington flatters his white audience by describing African Americans’ sudden accession to political power as a misstep. During the heady days of Reconstruction, he says, black Americans had rushed to claim privileges and responsibilities for which they were unprepared.
Booker T’s main metaphor
Cast down your bucket
He tells of a ship that, lost at sea and running out of fresh water, signals another ship to plead for a resupply before the sailors onboard die of thirst. The second ship signals the first to cast down its bucket where it is, meaning to lower the water bucket and draw water from its immediate surroundings. In doing so the crew of the lost ship finally realizes they are not lost at all but entering the mouth of a freshwater river with plenty of drinkable water. Far from needing outside help, they discover the solution to their emergency ready at hand.
Cast down your bucket
black Southerners
Black Southerners, he insists, must cast down their buckets in the sense of reconciling themselves to the immediate realities of life in the South. Rather than moving away or looking to the federal government to fix their problems, Washington urges, African Americans in the South must resolve to advance their own situation through hard work. Specifically, he warns them not to agitate for social and political equality in the short term but to focus on building themselves up economically. Agriculture and the trades will be the real route to black economic independence. With that independence, Washington predicts, will come the esteem of the white community.
cast down your bucket
white southerners
White listeners, meanwhile, are implored to help and encourage their black neighbors through employment, education, and philanthropy. Black Southerners, he promises, will be more faithful and hardworking than immigrants.
He reminds his white Southern audience how the African American community has helped raise their children and their ancestors’ children and have attended their parents’ sickbeds and funerals.
Washington uses precise details to remind his audience of the long, close, and personal history between black and white Southerners.
Washington makes an emotional appeal based on his knowledge of his audience to sway and persuade them, hoping to help ease the immediate oppression. In his later writings about his speech he says he reasoned that appealing to someone’s sense of good is more effective than pointing out or attacking them for their evil deeds. Washington attended seminary school and was deeply religious. His rhetoric is imbued with his religious beliefs.
