A History of Black Power

In the history of African Americans in this nation, there have been some tremendous movements that have captured the state of mind of the nation and most importantly, the black community. One expression, "Black Power" is one of the most basic and sophisticated declarations of pride and unity in the black community. It was additionally a phrase that came to stand for the horrible and unacceptable side of the battle for equality in the black community. Thus, that makes it a controversial phrase that was as relevant in the past as it is now.

The Raised Fist

The greatest photo of black power is the strong hand of a black man, squeezed in a black glove and lifted up, airborne, in defiance and pride.





That salute was used so perfectly at the 1968 Olympics when Tommy Smith and John Carlos lifted their black power fists, with black glove, as they received their medals for their performance at those Olympic Games.

The Origins of Black Power

The phrase "black power" was not created in a march or riot as might have been historically suggested. It was really produced by Robert Williams, the head of the NAACP in the early sixties. It really began as a "street term" when it was embraced by Makasa Dada and also Stokely Carmichael, owners of The Trainee Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, which was the precursor to the renowned Black Panther party and movement.

Unfortunately, the black power activity became defined by extreme elements that went beyond seeking the goals of Dr. Martin Luther King and the rest of the civil rights movement.

There were radical components suggested for black separation and also social change by aggressive means.
Even in some of the darker times of black history, progress was made to discover the best way onward for African Americans. Often it is essential for the extreme actions to take place in order for a community to recognize its limitations and find compromise. The black power movement did charge the broader conversation, albeit with sometimes violence and force, and made the significance of African-Americans in society very clear and very vital.

Instilling Pride

There is another "good" that came from the black power movement. Those images of the raised clenched fist were images of pride as well as a determination to defend the rights of black Americans. They influenced a generation of youngsters to become more politically active, to stand up for their rights, and boldly make that declaration made popular by James Brown 'Say it Loud. I'm Black and I'm Proud.'" That sense of pride was and still is an important thing for youths to embrace. That pride needs to be prevalent in their neighborhoods as well as in their heroes. Today, young black people can harness the power of the actions of past bold leaders who, albeit drastically, claimed loud that black America was now going to be a power to be reckoned with; the resultant call to action created several more favorable impacts that overshadowed the negative ones. It became clear that the power could be taught and utilized for good rather than wickedness. And the outcome was a movement that invigorated and helped to change the lives black America from that point onward.



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