The Challenge of Black Power Angela Brown Chapter 29 Section 4

1964 Martin Luther King Jr. won Nobel Peace Prize Martin Luther King Jr. won Nobel Peace Prize. Some questioned his approach and the movement became divided. Some questioned his approach and the movement became divided. Many African Americans angered by the continuing injustice. Many African Americans angered by the continuing injustice.

James Baldwin 1963 The Fire Next Time told how oppression had set African Americans apart and made them stronger The Fire Next Time told how oppression had set African Americans apart and made them stronger. Baldwin’s essays and novels were powerful descriptions of African American experience – Notes of a Native Son. Baldwin’s essays and novels were powerful descriptions of African American experience – Notes of a Native Son.

Malcolm X Born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska Born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska Father a Baptist Minister who spread Marcus Garvey’s “back to Africa” message. Father a Baptist Minister who spread Marcus Garvey’s “back to Africa” message. Father died during childhood. Father died during childhood.

Malcolm turned to a life of crime in ghettos of Detroit, Boston, and New York. Malcolm turned to a life of crime in ghettos of Detroit, Boston, and New York. Arrested for burglary and served seven years in prison where he joined the Nation of Islam called Black Muslims – (preached black separation and self- help) Arrested for burglary and served seven years in prison where he joined the Nation of Islam called Black Muslims – (preached black separation and self- help)

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Black Nationalism Nation of Islam founded n 1933 in Chicago by Elijah Muhammad. Nation of Islam founded n 1933 in Chicago by Elijah Muhammad. Taught Allah would bring a “black nation” union of nonwhite people. Taught Allah would bring a “black nation” union of nonwhite people. Key to self knowledge knowing your enemy – white society. Key to self knowledge knowing your enemy – white society.

Did not seek change through political means – waited for Allah to create Black Nation – tried to lead righteous lives and become economically self-sufficient. Did not seek change through political means – waited for Allah to create Black Nation – tried to lead righteous lives and become economically self-sufficient Malcolm released from prison – changed name to Malcolm X – 12 years minister of Nation 1952 Malcolm released from prison – changed name to Malcolm X – 12 years minister of Nation Malcolm gave fiery speeches to spread ideas of black nationalism. Malcolm gave fiery speeches to spread ideas of black nationalism. A belief in the separate identity and racial unity of African American community. A belief in the separate identity and racial unity of African American community.

Opposition to Integration Malcolm X called March on Washington “Farce on Washington” – rejected integration Malcolm X called March on Washington “Farce on Washington” – rejected integration 1964 Malcolm X broke with nation due to disagreement with Muhammad – formed Muslim Mosque, Inc Malcolm X broke with nation due to disagreement with Muhammad – formed Muslim Mosque, Inc. Then made a pilgrimage to Mecca – holy city of Islam in Saudi Arabia Then made a pilgrimage to Mecca – holy city of Islam in Saudi Arabia

March on Washington

Mecca

Seeing Muslims of all races worshipping peacefully changed his views about separatism and hatred of white people- change upset some of African American community. Seeing Muslims of all races worshipping peacefully changed his views about separatism and hatred of white people- change upset some of African American community. Returned ready to work with other Civil Rights leaders and even some White Americans. Returned ready to work with other Civil Rights leaders and even some White Americans. Feb 1965 shot to death at New York rally by three members of Nation of Islam. Feb 1965 shot to death at New York rally by three members of Nation of Islam.

The Black Power Movement Stokely Carmicheal – SNCC leader influenced by Malcolm X Stokely Carmicheal – SNCC leader influenced by Malcolm X Born in Trinidad, West Indies in 1941 – moved to U.S. at age 11 Born in Trinidad, West Indies in 1941 – moved to U.S. at age 11 Soon tired of nonviolent protest due to beatings and jail Soon tired of nonviolent protest due to beatings and jail called on SNCC workers to carry guns for self-defense called on SNCC workers to carry guns for self-defense rejected white activists rejected white activists

Stokely Carmicheal Carmicheal’s idea of black power called on African Americans “to unite, to recognize their heritage, to build a sense of community, to define own goals. Carmicheal’s idea of black power called on African Americans “to unite, to recognize their heritage, to build a sense of community, to define own goals. /StokelyCarmichael.jpg

The Black Panthers 1966 militant political party formed by activists Bobby Seale and Huey Newton militant political party formed by activists Bobby Seale and Huey Newton. Wanted African Americans to lead own communities and demanded federal government rebuild ghettos to make up for the years of neglect. Wanted African Americans to lead own communities and demanded federal government rebuild ghettos to make up for the years of neglect. Violent encounters with police yet set up day- care centers and free breakfast programs. Violent encounters with police yet set up day- care centers and free breakfast programs.

Black Panthers

The Black Panthers “Black is Beautiful” slogan “Black is Beautiful” slogan SNCC and Black Panthers moved away from NAACP and other moderate groups = split in civil rights movement SNCC and Black Panthers moved away from NAACP and other moderate groups = split in civil rights movement

Riots in the Streets De jure segregation – racial separation created by law – battled early on De jure segregation – racial separation created by law – battled early on De facto segregation – tougher – caused by social conditions, poverty, - fact of life in most American cities in education, housing, and employment De facto segregation – tougher – caused by social conditions, poverty, - fact of life in most American cities in education, housing, and employment Frustration and anger boiled over into riots in New York City, Rochester, and New Jersey. Frustration and anger boiled over into riots in New York City, Rochester, and New Jersey.

One of most violent riots occurred in Los Angeles neighborhood of Watts – Aug 1965 One of most violent riots occurred in Los Angeles neighborhood of Watts – Aug 1965 Police pulled over a black man for drunken driving – peaceful at first but when he resisted arrest an officer panicked and began swinging his baton Police pulled over a black man for drunken driving – peaceful at first but when he resisted arrest an officer panicked and began swinging his baton Outraged crowd touched off six days of rioting. Outraged crowd touched off six days of rioting.

National guard and police gained control but 34 people dead – more than a thousand injured. National guard and police gained control but 34 people dead – more than a thousand injured. Federal government set up special National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders to investigate. Federal government set up special National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders to investigate. 1n 1968 declared riots an explosion of smoldering anger in ghettos. 1n 1968 declared riots an explosion of smoldering anger in ghettos.

Legacy of the Movement Between the number of African American elected officials rose by 88%. Between the number of African American elected officials rose by 88%. Black mayors elected in Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Newark NJ. Black mayors elected in Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Newark NJ. Others served in Congress and state legislatures Others served in Congress and state legislatures (Ex: Barbara Jordan of Texas). (Ex: Barbara Jordan of Texas).