Civil Rights Activism: Malcolm X, Black Panthers, and the Fight for Equality

1. Objectives TSW: 1) Understand how disagreements among civil rights groups created a violent period in the fight for civil rights. 2) Explain the difference in the teachings and tactics of Dr. King, Malcolm X, and the Black Panthers.

2. CIVIL RIGHTS “It is criminal to teach a man not to defend himself when he is the constant victim of brutal attacks…The time has come for the American Negro to fight back in self-defense whenever he is being unjustly and unlawfully attacked.” Malcolm X

3. Early Life of Malcolm Little • Malcolm’s father was a major follower of Marcus Garvey • Because of this, he and his family were targeted by white supremacists called the Black Legion • The family had to move around a lot because of threats • The Little’s home was burned to the ground and Malcolm’s father was found dead on the trolley tracks • Ruled accidents

4. Criminal Conviction • Malcom’s mother suffered a mental break down and his family was split up • Malcom and his close friend moved to Boston where they were convicted of burglary • Malcom was sentenced to 10 years but was paroled after 7

5. Conversion • While in prison, one of Malcolm’s brothers would visit and tell him about his conversion to Islam and the Nation of Islam (NOI) • Elijah Muhammad was the head of NOI –black Muslims • Believed that white society actively worked against the empowerment and success of the black population

6. Malcolm X • Malcolm changed his name to “X” believing that “Little” was a slave name, while “X” stood for his lost tribal name • Malcolm’s teachings: 1) Whites were to blame for the black man’s social problems. 2) Black Separatism: Blacks should separate from white society . Quit trying to act like the white man! 3) African-Americans should have pride in their identity and culture.

7. Change in Belief • Malcolm broke from Elijah Muhammad in March 1964 after finding out that Elijah was using his status to have affairs with several women • In April 1964 Malcolm took a pilgrimage to Mecca and learned that orthodox Muslims believe in equality of all races. • He met “blonde-haired, blued-eyed men I could call my brothers” • Malcolm returned to America and radically changes his teachings: it is ok to hate racism and injustice, but it is wrong to hate the white race.

8. Assassination • The FBI had infiltrated the NOI • They warned that there was an assassination plan on Malcolm • Malcolm started traveling with bodyguards • February 14, 1965 his home was fire bombed which his whole family survived • On February 21, 1965 while giving a speech, three gunmen walked onto stage and shot him 15 times

9. Stokely Carmichael • Influential leader of SNCC was arrested on June 17, 1966 for setting up a tent on the grounds of an all black high school for an overnight demonstration. • This was his 27th arrest!

10. Black Power • That night marchers held a rally to show their support for Carmichael. • Carmichael showed up at the end of the rally with his face swollen from a police beating. • Carmichael began preaching “Black Power.”

11. Black Power • “This is the 27th time I have been arrested-and I ain’t going to jail no more!…We been saying freedom for 6 years-and we ain’t got nothin’. What we’re gonna start saying now is BLACK POWER.” • Militants: Black people should make their own goals and lead their own organizations. He didn’t want any more help from white people in achieving equality. • Perceived message: Many people, especially whites, thought he was encouraging an armed and violent revolution.

12. Black Power Olympics Salute • John Carlos and Tommie Smith, 200 meter Gold and Silver medalists, showed their support for civil rights by giving the black power salute. Smith later said he was doing it for human rights, not just black power.

13. BLACK PANTHER PARTY

14. Black Panthers • In October 1966, Huey Newton and Bobby Seale formed the Black Panther Party in Oakland, CA to fight police brutality in the ghetto. • The Black Panthers began to preach many of the violent ideas of the Black Muslims.

15. Black Panthers • To raise money for their organization they sold copies of the writings of Mao Zedong, leader of the Chinese Communist revolution. • Slogan: “Power flows out of the barrel of a gun.”

16. Black Panthers • Members of the Black Panthers wore black berets, sunglasses, black leather jackets, black trousers, black shirts, and shiny black shoes.

17. “Power flows from the Barrel of a Gun”

18. Black Panther Teachings 1) “Program for the People”- taking control of the communities in which African-Americans lived, full employment, and decent housing. 2) Established day care centers, free breakfast programs and other services in the ghettos. 3) See 10 point document. http://www.marxists.org/history/usa/workers/black-panthers/1966/10/15.htm

19. Black Panthers • Stokely Carmichael joined the Black Panther Party in 1967. • The police and FBI had many shoot outs with the Panthers throughout the years. • Newton was arrested in 1968 on manslaughter charges, but was released in 1970 when it was found that police illegally tapped his phone lines and searched his property.

20. Black Panthers • By 1970 the Party had split so many times due to internal problems that it became ineffective. • Carmichael left the party because he wanted all whites banned from it. • Seale and Newton resigned in the same year. The party continued for a short time under new leadership providing service projects in the ghettos.

21. Study Questions: Malcolm X 1) What was Malcolm X’s real last name AND why did he change it? 2) Who converted Malcolm X to the Black Muslims? 3) List 2 controversial teachings of Malcolm’s prior to his pilgrimage to Mecca. 4) What was Malcolm’s new slogan after returning from Mecca? 5) What happened to James Meredith during his “walk against fear?” 6) Why did Stokely Carmichael decide to preach Black Power? 7) What was the goal of Core and SNCC workers in Mississippi during Freedom Summer? 8) What teachings did the Black Panthers follow? 9) What was the purpose of the 10 point document? 10) Why did Stokely Carmichael leave the Black Panthers?