Black Power

The Challenges

Of

African American Anger

• James Baldwin – A gifted writer in his book, Notes of a Native Son, he wrote about the damaging effects of segregation– De jure segregation – rigid pattern of separation

dictated by law– De facto segregation – separation that resulted

from the ghetto conditions in many northern cities not by law

– Baldwin argued that because of segregation African American anger was ready to erupt

Malcolm X

• While in prison for attempted burglary Malcolm studied about the Nation of Islam

• When he was released in 1952 he converted to Islam & changed his name to Malcolm X

Malcolm X

• Malcolm’s beliefs– He did not agree with early civil rights leaders– He believed that integration would not work

and that African Americans had to take their destiny into their own hands

– He believed that blacks should have nothing to do with whites and they should live independently

Malcolm X

• After visiting Mecca where he saw Muslims of all races worshiping together his views changed– He started working with civil rights

organizations – He stopped preaching hatred of whites– He started working for desegregation

• Malcolm was killed in 1965 by members of the nation of Islam

Black Power Rages

• Stokely Carmichael – a leader of SNCC had a much different view than the traditional civil rights leaders– Traditional leaders said “we will overcome,”

but Stokely said “we will overrun.”– He believed in the idea of Black Power

• Blacks need to unite as one• Blacks need to build a sense of community• Blacks need to stand up and fight for freedom

Black Panther Party

• The black Power movement turned into a new organization called the Black Panther Party– Blacks need to lead their own communities– Blacks need to demand the federal gov. rebuild

the nation– They believed in the idea that “Power flows

from the barrel of a gun” Mao Zedong – They believed in protecting each other and

standing up for their own people even against the cops

Riots in the Streets

• In 1964 riots ravaged major cities such as New York and Los Angeles

• The worst riot was the Watts Riot on August 11, 1965– Police pulled over a black man that was drunk driving– When he resisted arrest one of the cops started beating

him with his riot stick– This action set of six days of riots in the Watts ghetto

• They burned cars and businesses• Vandalized businesses and stole merchandise• Shot at fire fighters as they came to put out fires• 34 people died 1,000 were injured

Legacy of the Movement

• Measures passed by Johnson were good but they weren’t enough

• Segregation was now illegal• African Americans were insured the right to

vote• African Americans were voted into key

positions such as mayors and Congress• Black studies courses appeared in colleges

and high schools