African Americans- Black Power

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African Americans- Black Power

Advantages

  • Black Panthers- useful, practical help to ghetto dwellers
  • Kept ghetto problems on the political agenda- ignored by King until 60s- set up clinics to advise on health, welfare and legal rights. 1970- Southern California served up to 1700 meals to the ghetto poor
  • Cultural change- education
  • Establishment of courses on black history and culture in American educational institutions
  • Highlighted the northern problems- King neglected
  • Raised the moral of many African Americans- 1970- 64% of blacks took pride in the Black Panthers
  • Self-reliance- Nation of Islam
  • Pushed voter registration after Selma
  • King- " black power means instilling within the ***** a sense of belonging and appreciation of heritage, a racial pride"

Disadvantages

  • Black panthers gained publicity far more than their influence deserved
  • Many associate the end of civil rights movement with King's death in 1968
  • Antagonized the government- Vietnam prioritized. Nixon lost interest
  • The 'Wilmington Ten'- 1972- (all civil rights activists) were arrested and charged with arson in North Carolina. The Jury contained three known Klans members and the FBI bribed witnesses hostile to the ten, who were given extensive jail sentences
  • Folded in 1973
  • Lack of support from other groups- older generation of civil rights leaders lost support and momentum (disunifying effect)
  • The NAACP condemned “Black Power” as a “menace to peace and prosperity………no ***** who is fighting for civil rights can support black power, which is opposed to civil rights and integration.”
  • Failed to find a solution to problems in the ghettos
  • Decreased sympathy from white supporters-key to previous progress in non-violent protest
  • Alienated whites
  • Black Panthers links to Communism
  • Associated with violence- some plotted to blow up major department stores in NY
  • Elridge Cleaver- released from prison in 1966, having served a sentence as a serial rapists
  • Unrealistic aims- never produced a persuasive and effective blue print for change
  • Sexism- growth of feminism appealed to many black women

Evaluation

In terms of legislative progress, was very limited yet helped to rally African Americans behind a common cause. No material gains; short lived. Increased talk in the movement- raised morale. Practical help to ghetto dwellers, yet failed to address the issue fully. 

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