History- The black power movement

• Black Power movement


  A political, social and cultural movement whose advocates believed in black pride, self-sufficiency and freedom
• Black Power


  • Another expression of the overall African American struggle for freedom
• Malcolm X


  Originally a minister in the Nation of Islam, a black separatist Muslim organisation. Changed his name from Malcolm Little to Malcolm X to acknowledge that, as an African American, his real name and the identity of his ancestors had been erased when they were enslaved
• Malcolm X initially


  Disagreed with Dr Martin Luther King Jnr and the other advocates of non-violence. Believed in armed-self-defence
• Malcolm X


  • A powerful public speaker who boldly confronted segregation and the legacy of racism and injustice. Urged African Americans to take pride in their identity
• Malcolm X left the Nation of Islam. Shortly after, he created the Organization of Afro-American Unity


  March 1964
• Malcolm X was assassinated

  1965
• Malcolm X's ideas and legacy continued after his assassination
• Popularisation of Black Power

  The civil rights movement had achieved a set of new civil rights laws, but these had not altered the economic status of most African Americans. Frustration developed at the continuing economic gap between black and white Americans and the persistence of racism
• SNCC leader Stokely Carmichael popularised the phrase 'Black Power' during a speech in Mississippi


  1966
• Stokely Carmichael initially


  Supported the philosophy and methods of non-violent protest. Became disillusioned after experiencing peaceful protestors being attacked by violent racists
• Black Power


  Both a slogan and a way of thinking. Supporters believed that black people should work together in solidarity, have more autonomy, safety and economic power in their own communities, and be proud of their heritage
• High-profile African Americans who supported Black Power

  • Boxer Muhammed Ali
  • Tommie Smith and John Carlos (gave the Black Power salute at the 1968 Summer Olympics)
• Black Panther Party for Self-Defense

  Founded by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale in 1966 when they published their Ten-Point Plan manifesto. Believed that non-violent protest would not fully give freedom or self-determination to African Americans. Wanted universal employment, good housing, and better schools and education in black communities. Addressed safety and police brutality by using their constitutional right to openly carry a weapon and defend themselves and their communities against attacks and violence
• The Black Panthers became targets of J Edgar Hoover and the FBI, who set up a counterintelligence programme called COINTELPRO to spy on, wiretap, and raise unsubstantiated criminal charges against them
• Economic and social injustice became more of a focus of Dr King's work. He was also outspoken in his criticism of American involvement and policies in the Vietnam War
• Dr King visited Memphis, Tennessee, to support black sanitation workers who were striking for equal treatment with white workers

  April 1968
• Dr King was assassinated while he stood on the balcony of his hotel room

  4 April 1968
• James Earl Ray, a white racist, was arrested and imprisoned for Dr King's murder