Ch Challenges and Changes in the Movement

African Americans Seek Greater Equality Newfound pride in African identity Commitment to change the social and economic causes of poverty Leading civil rights groups began to drift apart Movement started shifting to North Racial prejudice vs. legal segregation (South)

Northern Segregation De facto segregation- segregation that exists by practice and custom De jure segregation- segregation by law Harder to fight De facto Had to change people’s attitudes rather than repealing laws “White Flight” After WWII many African Americans migrated to Northern cities Most lived in decaying slums No compliance with housing and health ordinances Schools were deteriorating Unemployment rates were more than 2x higher than whites Many blacks were angry at the brutal treatment they received from white police forces July 10, 1966 King led a campaign in Chicago to end de facto segregation. He was stoned along with 600 marchers MLK left without accomplishing anything, but vowed to return

Race Riots Clashes between white authority and black civilians New York City in July White police and African American teenagers Ended in death of 15 yr old student Sparked race riot in central Harlem Watts race riot on August 11, (5 days after Voting Rights Act was passed) 34 people killed Hundreds of millions of dollars of property destroyed More disturbances occurred in over 100 cities from African Americans wanted/needed economic equality of opportunity in jobs, housing, and education.

New Leaders Malcolm X Born, Malcolm Little Went to jail at age 20 for burglary While in prison he studied the teaching of Elijah Muhammad Muhammad was the head of the Nation of Islam, or the Black Muslims Changed his name to Malcolm X He dropped what he called his “slave name” Became an Islamic minister Preaching Muhammad’s views whites were the cause of the black condition they should separate from white society Appealed to African American growing pride Advocated armed defense Frightened most whites and moderate African Americans Awakened resentment in some other members of the Nation of Islam

Ballots or Bullets? “Well, if you and I don’t use the ballot, we’re going to be forced to use the bullet. So let us try the ballot.” Malcolm X split with the Black Muslims over differences in strategy and doctrine This split was dangerous- “No one can get out without trouble” February 21, 1965 Malcolm X was shot and killed during a speech in Harlem

Black Power Tensions between SNCC and other civil rights groups Erupted in Mississippi James Meredith (man who had integrated University of Mississippi) Set out on a 225-mile “walk against fear” from Tennessee border to Jackson Shot by a racist and could not continue Martin Luther King Jr. (SCLC), Floyd McKissick (CORE), and Stokely Carmichael (SNCC) marched to finish Meredith’s walk. SNCC and CORE was too militant for MLK Stokely Carmichael called for “black people to begin to define their own goals…[and] to lead their own organizations “Black Power” became the battle cry of militant civil rights activists Provoked African Americans to violence and antagonize whites SNCC stopped recruiting whites and focused solely on African- American pride.

Black Panthers Founded in Oakland in October 1966 by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale Fight police brutality in the ghetto Advocated self-sufficiency for African-American communities full employment decent housing exempt from military service (unfair # of youths had been drafted for Vietnam) Preached Self defense Sold copies of Chinese Communist Leader Mao Zedong Police shootouts erupted as well as illegal investigations Positives and support in the ghettos Established daycare centers Free breakfast programs Free medical clinics Assistance to the homeless

A Turning Point in Civil Rights April 3, 1968 MLK addressed crowd in Memphis April 4, 1968 James Earl Ray shot and killed MLK from balcony Robert Kennedy pleads for nonviolence Worst riot in US history Over 100 cities in flames June 1968, Kennedy assassinated by Jordanian immigrant angry over support for Israel

Legacy of the Civil Rights Movement Affirmative Actions programs Kerner Commission (1968), appointed by LBJ to study causes of urban violence Findings -“White Racism” Called for nation to create new jobs, new housing and end de facto segregation to wipe out ghettos Johnson administration ignores Gains of Civil Rights Ended de jure segregation Civil Rights Act of ending discrimination in housing Led to increase in African Americans in college – led to better job opportunities Political gains led to more African Americans voting & holding elected offices