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Black Nationalism & Black Power

Black Nationalism & Black Power. Jeanette Cibelli. Overview. Black Nationalism. Black Power. Radical movement with a set time frame (mid 1960s- mid 1970s) & events Emphasized pride in the culture & history of the black race Embodies the tenets of black nationalism Distrust of whites.

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Black Nationalism & Black Power

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  1. Black Nationalism & Black Power Jeanette Cibelli

  2. Overview Black Nationalism Black Power Radical movement with a set time frame (mid 1960s- mid 1970s) & events Emphasized pride in the culture & history of the black race Embodies the tenets of black nationalism Distrust of whites • Pervasive tradition of thought in black consciousness • Present in various ideologies & movements • Promotes self-reliance, self-sufficiency, and black unity • Sought freedom from white oppression

  3. Pervasiveness of Black Nationalism • Ideas in the South during slave times due to the sense of black unity • Old tradition of thought that has “the capacity of encompass integration, contemporary liberalism, conservatism, and radicalism” (Smith) • Includes the opposites of separatists (separate nation or return to Africa is necessary for freedom and equality) and integrationists (freedom and equality are possible in the US)

  4. Ideas of Black Nationalism • “emphasized the need for black people to rely primarily on themselves in vital areas of life—economic, political, religious, and intellectual—in order to effect their liberation” (Sterling Stuckey) • Blamed whites as the source of racial oppression • Black culture is uniquely strong because it withheld the loss of identity associated with American slavery • Bond of Pan-Africanism • Black progression through blacks—cannot rely on other social groups.

  5. Marcus Garvey • 1887-1940 • Early activist • Encountered racism worldwide • 1914 founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) to unify & progress blacks • Included ideas of black nationalism

  6. Malcolm X • 1925-1965 • Bridge between black nationalism & black power • Troubled childhood of racial harassment & family issues that led to a 10-year prison sentence • 1949 converted to the Nation of Islam (NOI) & helped fight against white oppression • Opposed to black activists that worked with sympathetic whites (“men with black bodies and white heads”) • 1954 became head of NOI temple in Harlem • 1963 power struggle in NOI aimed to keep Malcolm from leading all of NOI • 1964 quit NOI due to assassination threat

  7. Malcolm X, continued • April 1964 “Ballot or Bullet” speeches • April 3 “So I say, in spreading a gospel such as black nationalism, it is not designed to make the black man re-evaluate the white man—you know him already—but to make the black man re-evaluate himself.” • April 12 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9BVEnEsn6Y (47:19- 48:10) • 1964 pilgrimage to Mecca made him reevaluate his opinion of white men based on Muslim principle of the brotherhood of all humankind • From his 1964 Letters From Abroad: “They practice sincere and true brotherhood with other people irrespective of their color.” • Feb 13, 1965 assassinated before revised opinion of whites could spread • Ideas of black pride & self-reliance would be remembered during the Black Power Movement

  8. Black Power Movement • Outgrowth of the 1950s & 60s Civil Rights Movement • More radical; supported violence if deemed necessary • Differed from Civil Rights Movement: CRM tried to integrate & prove that blacks were equal to whites while BPM believed blacks were a strong & valid culture without comparison to whites • Proud of black heritage • “Black is Beautiful” & “Black Power Salute” • 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, Sprinters Tommie Smith & John Carlos raised fists during US Anthem • Opposed white leadership & involvement • Desired distinctly black communities with black control • Controversial riots

  9. Stokely Carmichael • 1941-1998 • Young activist upset with the prejudice that prevailed in America rather than the promise of equality • Attended Howard University & joined the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) • 1960 SNCC Statement of Purpose: “…nonviolence nurtures the atmosphere in which reconciliation and justice become actual possibilities” • Participated in various Freedom Rides, sit-ins, and voting demonstrations • Demonstrations often ended in violence towards blacks, leading Carmichael to become disillusioned with SNCC’s stance on nonviolent civil disobedience (similar to Martin Luther King, Jr.)

  10. Stokely Carmichael, continued • 1966 elected chairman of SNCC • Disposes of white members • 1966 delivered iconic “black power” speech • Coined term “black power” • Supported Pan-Africanism & opposed Vietnam War • 1967 left SNCC & joined Black Panther Party in Oakland, CA • Soon left because they allied with whites • In later years, Carmichael’s actions & views about American racial progression varied • 1969 emigration to Guinea • Movement lost strength in mid-1970s as Carmichael & other leaders lost focus

  11. Black Panthers • Oct 15, 1966 founded by Huey P. Newton & Bobby Seale • Black Panther Party for Self-Defense • Influenced by teachings of Malcolm X • More violent & revolutionary organization than SNCC • Goals were intended to be international though they focused on black power • “the symbol of the panther…was chosen because the panther never attacks unless cornered, and the African-American community of the 1960s felt cornered” (Brenner)

  12. http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/black-nationalism-black-powerhttp://www.timetoast.com/timelines/black-nationalism-black-power Brief Timeline of Events

  13. Ras the Exhorter/Destroyer • Embodies black power (& ideas of black nationalism) • Black Power Movement did not start until mid-1960s, but Invisible Man published in 1952 • Name change from exhorter to destroyer depicts the evolution of radical thought towards racial progress • Carmichael became more radical as time passed • “He is the wild man who calls himself a black nationalist.” (Ellison 364) • Evolution from black nationalism to black power • Supported unity of blacks • “Brothers are the same color; how the hell you call these white men brother?” (370) • “We sons of Mama Africa” (370) • “Is it self-respect—black against black?” (372)

  14. Ras, continued • Emphasized accomplishments, worth, and pride of blacks • “We build a glorious movement of black people.” (371) • “black possibilities” (374) • “Is it self-respect—black against black?” (372) • “You black and beautiful—don’t let ‘em tell you different!” (373) • Resentment of whites for history of oppression • “They enslave us—you forget that? How can they mean a black mahn any good?” (371) • “That there is sense. Black allies. Yellow and brown allies!” (375) • “Blood calls for blood!” (376) • Willingness to start riots (541)

  15. Mirroring Journeys of Malcolm X and The Narrator Malcolm X Narrator New spokesman for the Brotherhood “You aroused them so quickly to action...We need a good speaker for this district” (289-292) “I was beginning to approach some of the aspects of the organization about which I knew nothing…at a time when all the secrets of power and authority still shrouded from me in mystery appeared on the way toward revelation.” (407) “You were not hired to think.” (469) “So now I have become an enemy.” (405) • New young activist for NOI after prison • As he becomes more popular & important, people become nervous of his power. • 1963 NOI power struggle • Spoke out for beliefs but leaders pushed him away • Spoke against violence after JFK assassination • Become an enemy to organization • Assassination threat

  16. Barriers to Black Nationalism • The Narrator • Initially, very dependent on whites for self-progression & lacks pride in his race • Desire to assure Norton that he was “far from being like [Trueblood and the veterans]…[and] believed in his…kindness in…helping us poor, ignorant people out of the mire and darkness.” (99) • Would be considered “black man with a white head” for his cooperation with the Brotherhood & goals of proving himself to be capable of functioning in white society • These ideas of integration maintained some of black nationalist tradition, but were a betrayal to black power.

  17. Barriers to Black NationalismContinued • Dr. Bledsoe • Hypocritical position as an educator who propagates white supremacy- “We was our leader and our magic” (116) • His position of power is not due to his worth despite what people believe. It’s due to his ability to conform to the desires of the white men who fund the school. • Barrier to black education & progression in society • “The only way to please a white man is to tell him a lie! What of kind of education are you getting around here?” (139) • “It is to the best interests of the great work which we are dedicated to perform, that he continue undisturbed in these vain hopes while remaining as far as possible from our midst.” (191)

  18. Barriers to Black NationalismContinued • Brother Jack • Initially appears to be socially radical & upholds the tenets of black nationalism despite being white • In reality, very controlling and dominant of what is taught. Takes away black expression of thought- “Our job is not to ask them what they think but to tell them!” (473) • The narrator accuses him of acting like “their great white father” (473) • Represents the continued dominance of whites & necessary distrust of the race

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