Black Consciousness and the BCM Flashcards
What is BC
An attitude of mind that can broaden into a philosophy or way of life.
What did BC replace in SA
It replaced the apartheid term ‘non-white’ with ‘black’. This was positive rather than negative.
Who did the term ‘black’ include
Indians, coloureds, and black Africans.
What did ‘consciousness’ refer to
The realisation that black people have inherent worth and dignity as individuals and as a group
What did ‘consciousness’ emphasise
The confidence and the right to shape ones own future
What did BC state about black people
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
Who played a large role in BC
Stephen (Steve) Bantu Biko
Biko: background
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.
Where was SASO launched
University of Turfloop on 1 July
What made Biko finally create SASO
When NUSAS accepted separate residences and eating facilities.
What were biko’s ideas
That personal complexes confine people’s ability to develop and flourish; and that people empower themselves. Soon others took up these ideas.
What had happened once Biko had let the University of Natal
BC was firmly established as a philosophy. It had also been put into practice at a health centre
Who ran the health centre
Dr Ramphele and was administered exclusively by black people.
What was BPC
An umbrella group that embraced all groups like the BC.
What kinds of groups did BPC include
Educational, cultural and religious groups
What did the whites think of BC
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
What did Suzmanb call the BC
The ugly stepchild of Apartheid
Who ran the government at the time of BC
John Vorster
What did the government think of BC
They started to take a very hard line against organisations that seemed to be anti-apartheid. SASO was subjected to much government harassment
Who did Biko leave King William’s town with
Peter jones
Who was peter jones
An executive member of the BPC
What happened to Biko when he was leaving
He was stopped at a roadblock outside the town and taken to a police station where he spent the next 20 days at.
What were the conditions for Biko in jail
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
What was Biko’s cause of death, according to the minister of justice
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
What happened when the minister of justice said he was unaffected by Biko’s death
There was an international outcry. Western countries showed their support for the people of SA by holding a mandatory arms embargo against SA
What did the policemen concerned with Biko’s death do when a full inquest was held
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.
What was the bBCM based on
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.
Why was the BCM different from the PAC and the ANC
It encouraged people to act with pride and confidence rather than negatively opposing white people.
In America, what showed that changes that uplift black people were possible
The American Civil Rights Movement and the ideas of the BC
What became clear to South Africans and Biko and what was needed for success
That they would have to make changes happen. They needed black activism.
How did the liberal whites react to the BCM
They were sympathetic, but ineffective
How did the National Party react to the BCM
It showed no signs of changing the policies of segregation
Where did the initiative for the BCM come from
The youth at universities
When was the time right or the BCM to emerge
When the major liberation groups (ANC and PAC) had weakened.
Why was Biko’s philosophy controversial
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
What did the BPC aim to do when it was launched
Fulfil the ideas of BC, which were becoming influential and sweeping through the african population.
What are some of the names of BC journals that were published, and what did they do
Black voice
Creativity in development
Black review
They put forwards ideas of BC and stirred people into action
Why did the national party initially agree to the BCM
They thought that the ideas reflected apartheid theories that all racial groups should govern themselves. They thought it justified apartheid
Why did the NP change its mind
They realised the aim of BC was the end of white domination
What did the government decide to to because they didn’t like the criticism BC levelled against it
They decided to take action a against all the groups that supported BC
How did the government take action against institutions supporting BC
They banned publication of BC material- this made circulation of it across the country very difficult. Many activists were banned under the terrorism act.
Who was Mthuli Shezi
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.
Who was Abraham Timol
He was a student who had delivered speeches and written papers condemning Bantu education. He was killed by a parcel bomb
What happened as a result of Biko’s death
It lead to growing criticism of the government. The government responded with a vicious crackdown to suppress any possible unrest
What did the government do to suppress any unrest
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.
What were some of the organisations that were banned
BPC, SASO, the Union of Black Journalists, the National Youth Organisation and the Soweto Students’ Representative Council
Which two newspapers were banned
World and Weekend World
