the black power movement & the black panthers
Black power movement Martin Luther King believed that Black Power was ‘‘essentially an emotional concept’’ that meant ‘‘different things to different people,’’ but he was concerned that the slogan carried ‘‘connotations of violence and separatism,” so he opposed its use. The controversy over usage of the term “black power” accurately portrayed the split between nonviolent and peaceful civil rights activists, and those who were frustrated and ready to adapt violent and extreme measures to achieve success.
Although King believed that ‘‘the slogan was an unwise choice,’’ he tried to improve its meaning, writing that although ‘‘the Negro is powerless,’’ he should try ‘‘to amass political and economic power to reach his legitimate goals.” While King was hesitant to criticize black power, he stated that Black Power ‘‘was born from the wombs of despair and disappointment. Black Power is a cry of pain. It is in fact a reaction to the failure of White Power to deliver the promises and to do it in a hurry.… The cry of Black Power is really a cry of hurt.” |
A button that shows support for Black Power
Speeches given in support of Black Power
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Black panthers
In October 1966, Huey Newton and Bobby Seale founded the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense. The Panthers trained in self-defense of minority communities against the U.S. government. They fought to establish radical socialism by means of mass organizing and community based programs. Malcolm X laid the foundation for the Black Panthers, as their theories all derive from Malcolm X’s practices. The Panthers followed Malcolm's belief of international working class unity between whites, blacks and both genders, and thus united with a variety of revolutionary groups, including white and minority ones.
Black Child’s Pledge: I pledge allegiance to my Black People. I pledge to develop my mind and body to the greatest extent possible. I will learn all that I can in order to give my best to my People in their struggle for liberation. I will keep myself physically fit, building a strong body free from drugs and other substances which weaken me and make me less capable of protecting myself, my family and my Black brothers and sisters. I will unselfishly share my knowledge and understanding with them in order to bring about change more quickly. I will discipline myself to direct my energies thoughtfully and constructively rather than wasting them in idle hatred. I will train myself never to hurt or allow others to harm my Black brothers and sisters for I recognize that we need every Black Man, Woman, and Child to be physically, mentally and psychologically strong. These principles I pledge to practice daily and to teach them to others in order to unite my People. |
Black Panthers
Black Panthers
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