Black Power

“In this country you would think that white people are god, that they had the right to give us our freedom, so what we had to do was to beg them, or to act the way they wanted us to act before they gave us our freedom. We must stop seeking to imitate white society.” – Stokely Carmichael.

There is some speculation around Carmichael’s reasoning for stepping down from the chairman position of SNCC. According to his personal narratives, Carmichael witnessed African American demonstrators being beaten and shocked with cattle prods by the police. Witnessing the helplessness of people so fully committed to the non-violent approach gave Carmichael a new perspective, one which condoned the use of violent techniques against the brutality of the racist police force. Carmichael’s new tactics sought to reciprocate the fear instilled in African Americans by the police force, which led to the creation of the militant social group known as “The Black Panthers.”

Black Power Black Power developed within SNCC and CORE. It began with Stokely Carmichael, the former leader of the SNCC.

Black Power Aims Develop independent action, free of white constraint and control. Achieve economic self sufficiency in black business. Develop black entrepreneurs. Establish black co-operatives. Gain black control for black education.

Why did Black Power emerge? Black poverty. Lack of opportunity. Discrimination barrier still there. Frustration at slow pace of change. Discouragement at perceived failure of non- violent methods to achieve results. Belief that white liberals not committed to full integration. Federal Government not promoting civil rights legislation.

Black Power 1968 Olympics – Black Power activists Tommie Smith and John Carlos came 1 st and 3 rd in the 200m. During the medal ceremony, they raised their fists as a symbol of black power and black solidarity towards equal rights and opportunity. Other athletes also protested at these Olympics. The 400m final was won by three black Americans who all went to the dais in Black Panther berets.

Black Panther Party

Black Panthers Formed in 1966 as a militant group by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale in Oakland, California. Newton and Seale were concerned about the level of police brutality against blacks, and aimed to arm blacks to retaliate against brutality. The Black Panthers developed a distinctive dress with black leather jackets, black pants, and black berets.

Black Panthers Black Panther demands: – The right to arm all blacks. – Exemption for blacks from the war draft. – The release of all blacks from jail. – Compensation to blacks for centuries of exploitation.

Task… Copy top paragraphs in large font page 73. Complete the ‘making notes’ activity on page 74. Black Panthers summary notes page 77: – Widespread public attention. – Copy quote in italics, explain its meaning. – Conflict with police. – Membership decline. Important people tables: Name, group, viewpoints. – Stokely Carmichael, Huey Newton and Bobby Seale.