Black Power Movement:
Reasons for the emergence:
- Civil Rights Movement was focused on South but there was serious
discrimination in the northern states
- By 1955, 50% of African Americans lived there, usually in ghettos
→ Poor housing and schools, high unemployment
- They came to reject the methods of the Civil Rights Movement as they took
too long to make a change
→ Took +- 10 years to make a difference
→ Felt that force was justified to achieve equality
- Adopted more radical methods of “Black Power” Movement
→ Riots – poor living conditions and police brutality in ghettos
→ White racism was the main cause
Philosophy of Black Power:
- Rejected the term “negro” and referred to themselves as Black instead
- Emphasised the importance of black culture, traditions, and history. Urged
solidarity with Africa
- Promoted a distinctive black identity
→ “Black is Beautiful” – black pride
- Promote black political and cultural institutions
- Rejected the non-violence approach
- Use of violence
- Promoted social and economic equality
- Encouraged black participation in public affairs
- Against American capitalism and greed.
Malcolm X:
- Leading figure and most influential leader of the Black Power Movement
- Fiery speaker
→ Large following among your urban blacks
- Believed that violence was necessary to confront white racism and as self
defence against the KKK
- Critical of MLK’s non-violence
→ Believed that it held back black people
- Urged blacks to be proud of their heritage and African roots
- He was motivated by hate
- Promoted black separation, believing that blacks need to be self-reliant
→ Control their own lives
- March on Washington was referred to as the “farce” on Washington
→ Mockery
- said that MLK ignored the conditions in the north
Reasons for the emergence:
- Civil Rights Movement was focused on South but there was serious
discrimination in the northern states
- By 1955, 50% of African Americans lived there, usually in ghettos
→ Poor housing and schools, high unemployment
- They came to reject the methods of the Civil Rights Movement as they took
too long to make a change
→ Took +- 10 years to make a difference
→ Felt that force was justified to achieve equality
- Adopted more radical methods of “Black Power” Movement
→ Riots – poor living conditions and police brutality in ghettos
→ White racism was the main cause
Philosophy of Black Power:
- Rejected the term “negro” and referred to themselves as Black instead
- Emphasised the importance of black culture, traditions, and history. Urged
solidarity with Africa
- Promoted a distinctive black identity
→ “Black is Beautiful” – black pride
- Promote black political and cultural institutions
- Rejected the non-violence approach
- Use of violence
- Promoted social and economic equality
- Encouraged black participation in public affairs
- Against American capitalism and greed.
Malcolm X:
- Leading figure and most influential leader of the Black Power Movement
- Fiery speaker
→ Large following among your urban blacks
- Believed that violence was necessary to confront white racism and as self
defence against the KKK
- Critical of MLK’s non-violence
→ Believed that it held back black people
- Urged blacks to be proud of their heritage and African roots
- He was motivated by hate
- Promoted black separation, believing that blacks need to be self-reliant
→ Control their own lives
- March on Washington was referred to as the “farce” on Washington
→ Mockery
- said that MLK ignored the conditions in the north
