black consciousness Flashcards
objectives of apartheid
white political supremacy
white economic prosperity
what was the prototype of black consciousness
africanist traditions and the PAC
what did black consciousness take from the BPM of the 60s
inspiration of black assertiveness and separate black policies
how did the youth revolt in the US +Europe in the 60s affect black consciousness
it gave further encouragement as international criticism of apartheid grew
who first coined the term black consciousness, what did he mean
African American civil rights activist William du Bois
spoke to how AAs need to take pride in their blackness, and their double consciousness corroded their sense of identity (conflict of being american + african, assimilation + blackness)
how does the american “double consciousness “ relate to SA
black people made foreigners in their own country
pressure to fit mould created by apartheid state
pan africanism
socio-political + cultural movement which emerged at the beginning of the 20th century that advocates for unity and solidarity of all of African descent in an attempt to combat colonialism, racism + inequality
goal of pan africanism
to promote african identity, self determination + social and economic progress for african nations, including the diaspora, as well as call for independence from empires and white minority governments
theory black consciousness is built off of
-due to white peoples derogatory descriptions of African culture (savage,dark,barbaric) black people are ashamed of their skin colour
- The denigration of black african culture creates a sense of inferiority in black south africans making them incapable of action/revolt
-the political revolution had to be preceded by a revolution in how black people viewed their blackness -steve b
aims of black consciousness
-raising dignity, self respect and confidence in black people
- a cultural transformation promoting pride in black history +identity
-creating programmes to overcome passivity
-non-dependency on white people
promoting unity amongst black people by mobilising them to fight against the divisions created by apartheid
what society did biko believe in
socialist,marxist, raceless classless egalitarian society
where + when did black consciousness begin
black students in 1960s from bush colleges began to organise resistance against apartheid and reject the paternalistic attitude of white liberals
Stephen Bantu Biko
mission educated medical student from university of natal
driving force of black consciousness in SA
NUSAS
national union of south african students
multi racial political student group
why did steve not want to work w white liberals
felt black people needed to learn to speak for themselves, white peope could not play role in liberation
how did steve describe being black, why?
being oppressed by apartheid state (includes coloured and indian)
to eliminate stereotypes +perceptions existing between diff oppressed groups, reject homeland policy
SASO
South African Students Organisation
founded by Biko in 1968
represents ‘black’ uni students and formulates black consciousness ideals
BPC
Black People’s Convention
Founded SASO leaders in 1972
encourages adult participation in movement
becomes umbrella organisation- co ordinates black consciousness activities such as literacy campaigns, health projects,economic co-operatives + cultural reforms
BCP
Black community programmes
organised community medical clinics (Dr Mamphela Rampele), adult literacy classes, aided entrepreneurs, provided legal advice offices,conducted consciousness classes
received funding from mining+international groups
NYO
National youth organisation
uni + high school students- co ordinate youth activities
SASM
south african students movement
organised student representative committees at high schools eg SSRC (Soweto SRC)
activities of black consciousness organisations
production + dissemination of black journals + newspapers leading to a revival of cultural,political + literacy activity
literacy campaigns
self help schemes
clinics eg Zanempilo community health centre by Mam Ram
government’s reaction to black consciousness
initially supported- thought it was in line w its policy of separate development
later, proved to be anti-apartheid movement
began banning + detaining members of organisations
state vs cooper and eight others
trial after SASO/BPC activists arrested after viva frelimo + turfloop in 1974
comtinued for 16 months
promoted + furtheredb
movement- heavy media coverage
testimony was published in US in 1978 banned in SA
how did steve biko died
say ‘died of hunger strike’
actually beaten + tortured in detention- died 1977
the economy of SA in 1970s
increasing black urbanisation- shortage of schools, houses , need for skilled black labour
cheap black labour backbone of SA economy (black unions realise in ‘73- strike against low wages,pass laws,forced removal)
international oil crisis- price increase + unemployment
events outside of SA during 70s
Mozambique,Angola,Namibia,Rhodesia
chain of white-controlled states around SA falling
proof SA state could be defeated- inspired youth in soweto
education in 70s
widespread anger at inferior bantu education (bantu edu. act of 53)- black ppl trained to be inferior- legacy+ consequences- soweto uprising
high drop out rate,poor results,lack of equipment, untrained staff , inadequate places in school
designed to teach learners to be “hewers of wood + drawers of water “ for white run economy + society
74- deputy minister of bantu edu- maths hist + geo taught in afrikaans
why were students angered by Afrikaans being the language of their education
triggered uprising - afrikaans language of opressor,employer, NP, propaganda- symbolised apartheid
pupils + teachers poor understanding of language- learning difficulties
Role of BCM in uprising
psychologically empowered students
logistical organisers of event
mobilised ppl- joined SASM
-Thrust newspaper set up
SSRC created 13 June 1976 to plan march
effect of uprising
15k+ students marched
death toll— 176
TP- bad PR for apartheid state in international/public eye- journalists + photographers capture march + subsequent violence by police- widespread international outrage
-sets off year of uprising across SA
AZAPO
azanian people’s organisation
violent + confrontational
success of BCM
psychological liberation, revival of resistance, soweto uprising
