Black Power depth study Flashcards
Outline the Watts Riots 1965
Caused by arrest of black motorist suspected of drink driving. Spectators at Avalon Boulevard felt it was racially motivated. On August 11 riots broke out. Central South Los Angeles was affected by rioters who looted stores, set buildings on fire, and had snipers shoot at police from above. Order restored on August 16th.
What were consequences of the riots at Watts?
- 34 were killed, 1000 injured, and 4000 arrested alongside $40 million in damage.
- The national guard had to intervene.
- Martin Luther King vowed for this to never happen again in Los Angeles.
- A curfew was established, 1000 policemen had to stay on alert, outbreak spread to other Californian cities.
- Caused increased fear of black militancy in the civil rights movement.
What was the moderate Black Power message?
MLK 1966: Black power is about instilling pride and appreciation of heritage, CORE’s Floyd McKissick: black power is about gaining economic and political power, Stokely Carmichael: Black Power is needed as black citizens lack property in a country that defines power by this. Black Power wanted for end to police brutality and a fair trial.
What were the more radical and extremist Black Power requests?
More radical message: Establishment of economic and political systems in cities where black people make the majority, and exemption of black people from the military service.
Extremist message: Black Power advocates Huey Newton and Bobby Seale felt that Watts had been attacked by police, release of all black people from prison requested,
How was Nation of Islam founded?
Founded 1930 by Wallace Fard Muhammed. Between 1930-34 he outlined that 6000 years ago Allah created black men, but evil scientist Yacub started selective breeding to make morally weak white people.
What did Elijah Muhammed advocate?
Elijah Muhammed took over in 1934, promoting black supremacy and separatism – black and white people can’t live together. He promoted purity, abstaining from drugs, alcohol, coffee, cigarettes, gambling, jazz music, etc, which enslaved northern black citizens.
What were benefits to the Nation of Islam’s work?
Nation of Islam appealing to working class in north. It taught black offenders to find dignity and in Temple Number Seven 90% were convicts, with hardly any reoffending.
What was Malcolm X’s background?
Malcolm X had a tough upbringing. Black Legion had torched his father’s home and 3 of his uncles were lynched. Aged six his father had mysteriously died, likely lynching. He gave up lawyer dreams when told by a teacher not to aspire.
How did Malcolm X join Nation of Islam?
In 1946 Malcolm X was imprisoned in New York due to criminal activity. While in prison he came into contact with the Nation of Islam and gave up smoking alongside rejecting his last name ‘Little,’ to show he had lost his real African name. In 1952 he left prison and became an orator for Nation of Islam, 1957-9 temples shot up from 27 to 49.
Which documentary benefited Nation of Islam?
In 1959 Mike Wallace, CBS journalist, made documentary ‘The Hate That Hate Produced,’ against Nation of Islam but Malcolm X won over support. Two months after production, membership doubled.
Why did Malcolm X criticise the peaceful civil rights movement?
Criticised MLK as an ‘Uncle Tom’ who preached Christian love and forgiveness on government’s behalf. Felt that March on Washington was organised by Uncle Toms. Felt SNCC and NAACP had taken myth of American dream. MLK’s belief of integration had failed in north with black people susceptible to vices creating underclass.
What did Malcolm X refer to himself as?
Referred to himself as a ‘Black nationalist Freedom Fighter,’ arguing that America was based on white supremacy and black nationalism was needed politically and economically. (Political – self determination, economic – right to control wealth in communities). (Ballot or the Bullet speech 12 April 1964)
What was self defence ? (Malcolm X)
Self defence: MLK’s nonviolence reinforced defenceless black man stereotype and racists didn’t respect peaceful protest. Argued impossible to love someone who had killed their friends. He advocated ownership of a gun as self defence.
What did Malcolm X do when he left Nation of Islam?
Left Nation of Islam March 1964, Elijah Muhammed embarrassed over X stating Kennedy deserved what he got in 1963, and jealous of fame. Set Organisation of African American Unity, OAAU, which linked oppression of black citizens to colonialism in Africa. Set out to have voter registration campaigns, boycott unsatisfactory schools, have rent strikes for poor housing, set social programmes for drug addicts.
When did Malcolm X rethink his philosophy?
In 1964 The Ballot or the Bullet speech promoted black people using vote to elect black politicians showing integration was rethought. He announced will to work with CORE and SNCC, and even cooperate with MLK. After his Hajj to Mecca, where he saw black and white people in worship, he began to embrace possibility of racial harmony.
