Women Black Power Flashcards
Positive view
Interpretations of this point of view often point to the involvement of African American women at a grassroots level throughout the development of the civil rights movement
Women in Black Power
A lot of women were active within Black Power organisations
By the 1970s nearly 2/3rds of Black Panthers were women
Second most important member was Elaine Browne - ran them 1974-77
Other notable leaders include Safiya Bukhari who led armed units
Similar slogans
The slogan ‘revolutionary first, sister second’ inspired women to be active in terms of political activity and direct action
Role of NOW
‘NOW’ organisation played an integral role in second wave feminism
Distributed buttons reading $59c to draw attention to the wage gap and the median wage for women of every $ earnt by a man
African American female pride
By stressing the African heritage of African Americans, many women were encouraged to be proud of their culture
The ‘Black is Beautiful’ movement led to a new awareness of the inherent beauty of African clothes and sexuality rather than attempts to integrate and accept the norms of white society
Mixed view
Black Power was not a homogenous movement
The views of the NOI on contraception were shaped by religious beliefs; these were not necessarily shared by the ‘revolutionaries’ of the Black Panthers
Negative view
The Black Power movement has often been criticised for being male-dominated and for reinforcing gender discrimination whilst at the same time challenging race discrimination
Revolutionary violence
Revolutionary violence was often seen as essentially male
Angela Davis
Even the dedicated revolutionary Angela Davis found herself criticised by male members of Black Power groups
There was a considerable amount of male posturing and macho attitudes, which were portrayed as somehow ‘authentically’ African
View of feminism from blacks
Feminism was often seen by African American male activists as ‘a white women’s thing’
Backlash
The fear of African American revolutionary activity provoked a backlash and encouraged conservatism
It may have helped prevent wider reforms to ensure equality, such as the passing of an Equal Rights Amendment
Feminism ideals
NOW was founded before Black Panthers, and influenced by Betty Friedan’s the Feminine Mystique in 1963. Instead of giving the credits to Black Power, it was a period of protests, including anti-war protests, Hippies, and Red Power.
Janet Cyril
Was expelled from the bpp for refusing to have sex with the male leaders
What has Farmer claimed about black power propaganda?
Pamphlets and propaganda posters portrayed women as revolutionary equals
