The Civil Rights Movement Splits

Aims: Identify the reasons why the civil rights movement split in the 1960s. Examine the beliefs of Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam.

New leaders and new ideas were growing in the North. Between many Black leaders rejected integration and non-violence in favour of separatism and aggression. The Civil Rights Campaign Non-Violent Integration Non-Violent Black and White Cooperation More Aggressive Black Power Separatist

Why Split? Many were concerned about the cost of non-violent protest – injuries and deaths. The main goals of the Civil Rights Movement had been met – to end segregation and discrimination in the South. The problems facing Blacks in the Northern Cities had not been touched.

The Nation of Islam This group were also known as the Black Muslims. They were founded in 1930 and only accepted Black Americans as members. They believed Black Americans should establish a separate nation in the USA. They believed Blacks should have pride in their Black and Muslim identity. The believed Blacks should run businesses, shops and services for themselves. Malcolm X became the most important spokesperson for the Nation of Islam.

Malcolm X He was born in 1925 and called Malcolm Little. His father was murdered when he was a boy – allegedly by the KKK. He ended up in prison where he converted to the Nation of Islam. The ‘X’ represented his real African name stolen by slave owners who bought and sold his ancestors.

He believed that ‘….should stand on our own feet and solve our problems ourselves instead of depending on White people to solve them for us….non- violence is another word for defencelessness’. “ The goal of Dr King is to give Negroes a chance to sit- in a segregated restaurant beside the same white folks who have persecuted, beaten and lynched black people for years. Dr King seems to want black people to forgive the people who have beaten, bought, sold and lynched our people for four hundreds years.” “ You get freedom by letting your enemy know that you’ll do anything to get your freedom.”

A Threat to the Nation The Federal Government saw Malcolm X as a threat – he was followed everywhere by the FBI. There was concern he was building up hatred against Whites and that this would erupt in national riots. The television/newspapers portrayed Malcolm X as a dangerous Black racist but he was also a powerful preacher and there was concern about the growth in support for the Black Muslims..

Assassination In 1963 Malcolm X split with the Nation of Islam after a serious arguments with its leader, Elijah Muhammad. He then travelled to Africa and the Middle East where his attitudes changed. On the 21 st February 1965 he was murdered in a theatre where he was speaking by three member of the Nation of Islam. ‘ In a few weeks in Africa I saw all races, all colours, blue-eyed blondes to Black skinned-Africans in true brotherhood….I now know that some Whites are truly sincere and are capable of being brotherly towards a Black man.

Tasks Read pages in your workguide. Complete questions 1-5 on pages

Black Power Aims: Identify the aims of the Black Power movement. Examine the role of Stokely Carmichael

Black Power By the mid-1960s the Civil Rights Movement had begun to split and another extreme Black leader who emerged at this time was Stokely Carmichael. In 1966, Carmichael was elected as the leader of the SNCC – he invented the ‘Black Power’ slogan. He famously said ‘The only way we gonna stop them White men from whippin’ us is to take over. We been sayin’ freedom for six years and we ain’t got nothin’. What we gonna start sayin’ now is Black power.’ The clenched fist was the symbol of the Black Power movement.

What Was Black Power? ‘Black Power’ was the idea that Black people should take their civil rights and not wait until they were given to them. The aims of Black power were that Black Americans should: Not wait for whites to give them their civil rights Build up their own communities such as schools and businesses without interference from whites. Defend themselves and fight back against White attacks. Develop pride in their own separate culture and identity. Remember that they were Black people first and American citizens second.

Stokely Carmichael Carmichael had been heavily involved in non- violent protest but he began to disagree with these tactics. He wanted stronger action against the racist violence that Blacks faced in the South. He believed Blacks should control the Civil Rights movement – in 1966 the SNCC and CORE expelled its white members. Many were concerned that the violent language used by Carmichael would make young Black Americans angry and violent. In 1968, Carmichael left the SNCC and joined an event more extreme Black group called the Black Panthers.

1968 Olympic Games Two Black athletes, John Carlos and Tommie Smith stood on the winner’s podium to receive their medals. As the national anthem played, they gave the Black Power salute and refused to look at the American flag. This act was a powerful message that Black Americans did not feel that they belonged to the USA.

Tasks Read pages Complete questions 1-3 from page 103 of your workguide.