black power Flashcards
aims of black power movement
-racial dignity + self reliance (political and economical)
- black consciousness (cultural heritage, history ,black identity)
- beauty standards + self esteem as part of power relation
- rejection of racism and imperialism in USA
what were the conditions of ghettoes outside of the south
-poor housing
-underfunded schools
-high unemployment
-inadequate public transport
-poor healthcare
how many black Americans lived in the ghettoes in 1965
50%
what issues did black people faced that the CRM didn’t address
-black men were more likely to be arrested or face police brutality
-1/3 of black families lived BELOW the poverty line
-infant mortality rate 2x higher for black babies than white
why did some begin to criticise the CRM
did not address all problems that black people experienced
as it was too moderate
what led to the BPM
people began rejecting non violent tactics of CRM
series of race riots in US cities from mid 1960s
-1965 -Watts,Los Angeles 34 killed and 100s injured
-1967-larger riots in Detroit and Newark
-1968- riots in over 100 cities due to MLK
who did the black power movement represent
african americans who advocated for self reliance and Black pride (even Black Nationalism- Marcus Garvey)
roots of black power movement
go back to a group NATION OF ISLAM
what was the NATION OF ISLAM
african american muslim political group founded in 1930 by Elijah Muhammad
essentially advocates for race war
believes black people were original people.
white people could not convert to NOI
goals of the nation of islam
return stolen hegemony of inferior white people back to black people in america
called for separation of the races
goals of the nation of islam
return stolen hegemony of inferior white people back to black people in america
called for separation of the races
actions of NOI
taught self reliance for black peole and encouraged black business and education
Muhammad bought land and business , and provided housing and employment to young black men (economic development)
malcolm x + his significance
- Malcolm X was one of the most significant individuals in the BPM
- Malcom X (born Malcolm Little in Omaha Nebraska) was the poster boy of the NOI due to his charismatic and articulate persona.
- His father was killed by white racists. Malcom was very intelligent but dropped out as he saw no future in the education system for black men.
- He moved to New York and turned to a life of crime,where he was later arrested for burglary at 21 years old and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
- In prison, he converted to NOI , and changed his surname to X , symbolising his lost African name.
- He began studying the dictionary as he was frustrated with being unable to express his ideas.
- He paroled in 1952 and became the leader and spokesman for the NOI. HE taught black supremacy and violence, and rejected the CRM and MLK.
- His captivating personality led to growing numbers of the NOI (from 500 in 1952 to 30 000 in 1963).
- In 1964 he broke away from the NOI and went on pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca. This was a turning point in his life as his views and attitude shifted. He was longer fully opposed to King’s aims, and even visited his wife, Coretta Scott King. In multiple sources,he expressed regret for refusing the help of white people.
- Malcolm was assassinated by NOI members on the 21 Feb 1965
stokley carmichael + his significance
- Stokely Carmichael was born in Trinidad and immigrated to Harlem ,New York at age 11.
- Due to his great academic performance , he attended an elite high school and went on to attend Howard University.
- He became inspired to join the CRM as he saw news reports of sit ins at the woolworths lunch counter.
- He joined the Student Non-violent co-ordiating committee, and became a freedom rider.
- His attitude to non-violence changed in 1966 after the murder of James Meredith during a march from Tennessee to Mississippi. Carmichael felt that SNCC should complete Meredith’s march, and as a result he was arrested.
- When he was released, he made the famous “Black Power” speech , aimed to mobilise black people to join the black power movement.
- Now, he rejected non violence and opposed working with white liberals as he believed that in a white majority country, mixed organisations would become dominated by white people and their ideas on black issues.
- He rejected the idea of fitting into the American mainstream as well as black americans serving in the war.
- He promoted black pride , such as african dress and hairstyles.
- He moved away from SNCC and became the honorary prime minister of the Black Panther Party in 1967. In 1968, he was removed from SNCC and officially joined the BPP.
- Carmichael left the BPP in 1969.
stokley carmichael + his significance
- Stokely Carmichael was born in Trinidad and immigrated to Harlem ,New York at age 11.
- Due to his great academic performance , he attended an elite high school and went on to attend Howard University.
- He became inspired to join the CRM as he saw news reports of sit ins at the woolworths lunch counter.
- He joined the Student Non-violent co-ordiating committee, and became a freedom rider.
- His attitude to non-violence changed in 1966 after the murder of James Meredith during a march from Tennessee to Mississippi. Carmichael felt that SNCC should complete Meredith’s march, and as a result he was arrested.
- When he was released, he made the famous “Black Power” speech , aimed to mobilise black people to join the black power movement.
- Now, he rejected non violence and opposed working with white liberals as he believed that in a white majority country, mixed organisations would become dominated by white people and their ideas on black issues.
- He rejected the idea of fitting into the American mainstream as well as black americans serving in the war.
- He promoted black pride , such as african dress and hairstyles.
- He moved away from SNCC and became the honorary prime minister of the Black Panther Party in 1967. In 1968, he was removed from SNCC and officially joined the BPP.
- Carmichael left the BPP in 1969.
