Black Consciousness and the BCM

Question 1

What is BC

Answer 1

An attitude of mind that can broaden into a philosophy or way of life.

Question 2

What did BC replace in SA

Answer 2

It replaced the apartheid term ‘non-white’ with ‘black’. This was positive rather than negative.

Question 3

Who did the term ‘black’ include

Answer 3

Indians, coloureds, and black Africans.

Question 4

What did ‘consciousness’ refer to

Answer 4

The realisation that black people have inherent worth and dignity as individuals and as a group

Question 5

What did ‘consciousness’ emphasise

Answer 5

The confidence and the right to shape ones own future

Question 6

What did BC state about black people

Answer 6

Rely on self to improve situation
Not rely on white people
No submissive attitude/ feeling inferior towards whites
Note considering themselves 2nd class
Need pride (history, culture, achievements)
No integration with whites. Should follow african norms, not white norms
Realise black power, pride and self-help essential in developing BC

Question 7

Who played a large role in BC

Answer 7

Stephen (Steve) Bantu Biko

Question 8

Biko: background

Answer 8

Born in King William’s town and raised by mother. Mother was domestic worker. Father was policeman, but died when he was 4. Brother was jailed for being suspected to be a member of Poqo. After this, Biko moved to Natal and wrote grade 12. He began medical training at the university of Natal. Participated at NUSAS, but realised black students needed own organisation.

Question 9

Where was SASO launched

Answer 9

University of Turfloop on 1 July

Question 10

What made Biko finally create SASO

Answer 10

When NUSAS accepted separate residences and eating facilities.

Question 11

What were biko’s ideas

Answer 11

That personal complexes confine people’s ability to develop and flourish; and that people empower themselves. Soon others took up these ideas.

Question 12

What had happened once Biko had let the University of Natal

Answer 12

BC was firmly established as a philosophy. It had also been put into practice at a health centre

Question 13

Who ran the health centre

Answer 13

Dr Ramphele and was administered exclusively by black people.

Question 14

What was BPC

Answer 14

An umbrella group that embraced all groups like the BC.

Question 15

What kinds of groups did BPC include

Answer 15

Educational, cultural and religious groups

Question 16

What did the whites think of BC

Answer 16

They were divided on the issue. An editor in east London had doubts about Biko’s policy, and thought it was racist. After meeting with Biko at a time when it was banned, his opinion started to change

Question 17

What did Suzmanb call the BC

Answer 17

The ugly stepchild of Apartheid

Question 18

Who ran the government at the time of BC

Answer 18

John Vorster

Question 19

What did the government think of BC

Answer 19

They started to take a very hard line against organisations that seemed to be anti-apartheid. SASO was subjected to much government harassment

Question 20

Who did Biko leave King William’s town with

Answer 20

Peter jones

Question 21

Who was peter jones

Answer 21

An executive member of the BPC

Question 22

What happened to Biko when he was leaving

Answer 22

He was stopped at a roadblock outside the town and taken to a police station where he spent the next 20 days at.

Question 23

What were the conditions for Biko in jail

Answer 23

Kept naked, constantly manacled. Not permitted to exercise or wash himself. He was severely beaten while being interrogated. His condition deteriorated, but still held under bad conditions. Was transferred to a prison hospital. Drive there worsened his condition. He died one night after he went to the prison hospital

Question 24

What was Biko’s cause of death, according to the minister of justice

Answer 24

That Biko had died because he went on hunger strike. He said he as unaffected by the death of Biko. Because of this statement, there was an international outcry

Question 25

What happened when the minister of justice said he was unaffected by Biko’s death

Answer 25

There was an international outcry. Western countries showed their support for the people of SA by holding a mandatory arms embargo against SA

Question 26

What did the policemen concerned with Biko’s death do when a full inquest was held

Answer 26

They applied for amnesty under the truth and reconciliation commission, but were denied it because they had not told the whole truth about their role in Biko’s death.

Question 27

What was the bBCM based on

Answer 27

A positive, affirming philosophy that aimed to give black people means to be free from colonialism, and to understand themselves as leaflet and diets in theirs own right.

Question 28

Why was the BCM different from the PAC and the ANC

Answer 28

It encouraged people to act with pride and confidence rather than negatively opposing white people.

Question 29

In America, what showed that changes that uplift black people were possible

Answer 29

The American Civil Rights Movement and the ideas of the BC

Question 30

What became clear to South Africans and Biko and what was needed for success

Answer 30

That they would have to make changes happen. They needed black activism.

Question 31

How did the liberal whites react to the BCM

Answer 31

They were sympathetic, but ineffective

Question 32

How did the National Party react to the BCM

Answer 32

It showed no signs of changing the policies of segregation

Question 33

Where did the initiative for the BCM come from

Answer 33

The youth at universities

Question 34

When was the time right or the BCM to emerge

Answer 34

When the major liberation groups (ANC and PAC) had weakened.

Question 35

Why was Biko’s philosophy controversial

Answer 35

It meant that moderate voices were silenced. It was emphasised when the outgoing president of SASO was expelled from the movement. He had advised co-operation with liberals and with the black leaders in the homelands

Question 36

What did the BPC aim to do when it was launched

Answer 36

Fulfil the ideas of BC, which were becoming influential and sweeping through the african population.

Question 37

What are some of the names of BC journals that were published, and what did they do

Answer 37

Black voice
Creativity in development
Black review
They put forwards ideas of BC and stirred people into action

Question 38

Why did the national party initially agree to the BCM

Answer 38

They thought that the ideas reflected apartheid theories that all racial groups should govern themselves. They thought it justified apartheid

Question 39

Why did the NP change its mind

Answer 39

They realised the aim of BC was the end of white domination

Question 40

What did the government decide to to because they didn’t like the criticism BC levelled against it

Answer 40

They decided to take action a against all the groups that supported BC

Question 41

How did the government take action against institutions supporting BC

Answer 41

They banned publication of BC material- this made circulation of it across the country very difficult. Many activists were banned under the terrorism act.

Question 42

Who was Mthuli Shezi

Answer 42

A well known play writer that was passed under a train by a white man. The man had been drenching black women in water and became angry when Shezi confronted him.

Question 43

Who was Abraham Timol

Answer 43

He was a student who had delivered speeches and written papers condemning Bantu education. He was killed by a parcel bomb

Question 44

What happened as a result of Biko’s death

Answer 44

It lead to growing criticism of the government. The government responded with a vicious crackdown to suppress any possible unrest

Question 45

What did the government do to suppress any unrest

Answer 45

It banned 18 organisations associated with BC. 70 activists were arrested. An anti-apartheid journalist was banned. Two newspapers were closed down. Other newspapers had to conform to a strict code of conduct. The objective was to curb freedom of speech amp to force newspapers to regulate themselves. This did not lead to the end of BC, but it crippled it.

Question 46

What were some of the organisations that were banned

Answer 46

BPC, SASO, the Union of Black Journalists, the National Youth Organisation and the Soweto Students’ Representative Council

Question 47

Which two newspapers were banned

Answer 47

World and Weekend World