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Black power movement essay grade 12

History (Queensburgh Girls' High School)

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The Black Power Movement was a political and social movement whose advocates believed
in racial pride, self sufficiency and equality for all people of black and African descent. This
essay will critically discuss the significant roles played by various leaders during the black
power movement in USA.

To begin with, the black power movement is the name given to a range of political
organisations which aimed to promote black power. The black power movement developed in
the early 1960s in both Southern and Northern state. Black Power meant different things to
different people, for some it meant freedom, election of black politicians and for others it
meant pride in a unique African American culture. People became critical of the civil rights
movement and it is for this reason why the various leaders in USA decided to take up the
struggle.

Furthermore, blacks were dissatisfied with the Civil Rights Movement and its non- violent
approach. While the CRM had achieved the Civil Right Act and the voting rights act, the
economic situation had not changed. Black people lived in ghettos under crowded conditions,
unemployment or low wages, high level of poverty and crime. Little protection from the
police instead there was police brutality, discrimination was rife and there was violence and
racial abuse. After critically analysing the reason for the emergence of the Black Power
Movement it is clear that the situation had to change in USA therefore the leaders had to take
up the struggle to bring about change.

Moreover, in order to understand the depths of the Black Power Movement we must first
understand its philosophy. The Black power movement was a philosophy rather than a
political party. Its supporters rejected the term Negros and referred to themselves as black.
Black culture, traditions and history was emphasised, solidarity was urged with Africa and
they promoted the development of black identity and used the slogan “Black is beautiful”.
Pride in being black and black self-esteem was of utter most importance. Many thought that
Martin Luther King did not go far enough to protect and promote black interests. Therefore,
after a close analysis the various leaders took up the struggle as they believed in self defence
against racial oppression and believed in a self -sufficient black economy.

As a result, Stockely Carmichael who was a leader that took up the fight against the struggle.
He joined the SNCC and was deeply involved in Civil rights movement as a freedom rider
and as part of the freedom summer project. Stockley Carmichael made a famous speech
where he used the term “Black Power” for the first time. He urged the people to form and

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lead their organisations. It is evident that Stockley Carmichael played a significant role as he
called on blacks to unite and recognize their heritage.

Another leader, Malcolm X, he was a leading figure in the black power movement. He got
involved in crime and spent 10 years in prison where he learnt about Black Muslim
Movement. He became a leading member of the nation of Islam, a black Muslim group. He
was a fiery speaker and had a huge following among the urban blacks, he insisted that
violence was necessary to confront racism and self defence against likes of KU KLUX
KLAN. Malcolm X believed in black separation from whites and supported black
self-reliance. After analysing the role of Malcolm X, he took a different approach a move
active one. He urged the Afro Americans to work together with sympathetic whites to end
racism.

Furthermore, black panthers were a militant group within the black power movement. The
black panther had many significance, example the colour is black, skills of a fighting cat, was
beautiful, would motivate people and symbolizes the strength and dignity of black people and
much more. The black panther party (BPP for self- defence) they were founded by Huey
Newton and Bobby Seale. They wanted an end to white capitalist control and end police
brutality towards African Americans. Violence was used to achieve what they wanted. The
panthers carried loaded firearms in public. Their demands and aspirations were reduced into a
ten point programme. They formed a political party of about 500 members that called for
blacks to be exempted from the draft to fight in the Vietnam War. Evidently, it is clear that
black panther party that founded by the leaders Heuy Newton and Bobby Seale played a great
role in the black power movement as they encouraged people and believed that blacks should
arm themselves to force whites to accept equality.

As a result, there were many long and short- term gains achieved. The short -term gains
included racial pride and self- confidence among black people, development of a black
political agenda , mobilisation of black voters to support black candidates for office,
introduction of black study programmes at university and colleges and there was a rise of
black power. The long-term gains included, increased black self-confidence and self-esteem,
great solidarity among African Americans, a greater sense ethnic identity, other social justice
groups sprang example affirmative action, gay and lesbian group etc, and lastly there was
growth of multiculturalism and greater tolerance of cultural differences. Therefore, after a

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close analysis it is clear that the various leaders played a significant role in successfully
bringing about many long term and short term gain for the Black power movement.

In conclusion, the black power movement managed to achieved many gains for African
Americans as a whole. Black power leaders helped people in the inner-city ghettos, increased
black pride and a sense of black Nationalism. Malcolm X in particular was very important in
raising the morale of many black people, and become a hero to young black people in USA
and around the world. Evidently, after a critically analysis in the discussion above, the
various leaders played a significant role in successfully bringing about change in the Black
peoples lives in USA.

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