Malcolm X and Black Power depth study - AAs Flashcards
Who was Malcolm X? What did he argue for? Who did he aim his influence at?
He became a leading member of the Nation of Islam after a troubled early life. He argued for pride in AA heritage and rejected the idea of relying on white support to gain rights. Unlike King, who focussed on political rights he was focussed on social and economic change. He spoke for the poor AAs in the North and stressed the importance of their African heritage rather than supporting integration; he wanted seperatism.
What were Malcolm X’s views on MLK’s anti -violence?
X opposed anti violence, and believed in self defence, particularly when aggravated by police first. He was well known and individual by the 1960s.
When and why was he dismissed by the NOI?
In 1963, after travelling in Africa and Asia, he believed more in co-operation with the Civil Rights movement. However in 1965, he was assassinated by the Nation of Islam.
What was the Black Power Movement based on?
The ideas of Malcolm X in opposing the over reliance of the civil rights movement on white support.
- Anti colonialism theories and the example of African nationalists in forming new independent nations; winds of change, pan Africanism, Garvey.
- Disappointment with the effects of political change and the wave of riots in 1965. (LA Watts riots killed 34).
How was the Black power movement different to the civil rights movement?
The Black power movement did not have unified aims and it did not focus on either co-operation with white progressives or the achievement of political goals; it was made up of a number of various groups and individuals who all focussed on different ways of thinking. The Civil Rights movement was more of a unified, collective group looking to achieve established goals.
Where was the Black power movement distributed?
It did not have much of a base in the South, but it spread through the USA and other parts of the World such as Jamaica and Britain.
What was the violence policy for the Black Power group?
It did not focus on non violence, and saw the need for African Americans to be armed to combat aggressors.
What was the Black Power policy on integration and white cooperation.
Whilst for the most part the focus was complete separatism, there was also an idea that Black Power should not work with any white people ever.
How did they see African American Civil rights differently too MLK?
They did not want the same rights as whites as they thought about rights in a wider historical and cultural context; they wanted rights that were specific to them.
Gains for AAs during the Black Power period?
The main gain was spreading wider concessions of Black culture and heritage.
- Greater interest in Black culture, music, dress and appearance.
- Courses for AAs were run on their culture in schools and universities.
- There were powerful new ideas of aesthetics. Phrases like ‘black is beautiful’ spread in black communities. Hairstyles such as the ‘afro’ become popularised as AAs embraced their cultures instead of trying to assimilate.
- Greater publicity for the movement; at the 1968 Mexico city Olympics, two AA athletes gave the Black Power symbol of a raised wrist.
- At local levels communities and groups promoted AA rights and economic activities and in 1972, the national Black Political Convention was formed for urgent reform.
Limitations for AAs under the Black power movement.
Division between white and AAs increased and led to fears and repressions, limiting the impact of the movement and ability to make change.
- The association with separatism, violence and radicalism weakened support for further civil rights.
- In 1967, MLK was critical of the movements failure to see that success could only be achieved interracial co-operation.
- They were never a real threat as the power of the US state was too great and a considerable amount of police repression was used against the radical leaders.
What happened to the movement?
By the mid 1970s, it did not exist. The aims towards separatism was a major weakness and the lack of a central organisation meant that groups broke away from any organised central movement.
