African Americans - Black Power

Question 1

Who was Malcom X?

Answer 1

A prominent leader in the Nation of Islam who articulated concepts of race pride and black nationalism in the early 1960s

Question 2

What phrase was used during Black Power to make AA’s love themselves more?

Answer 2

Black is beautiful

Question 3

What changed Malcom X’s views?

Answer 3

His pilgrimage to Meccah where he saw all groups travelling and being together peacefully

Question 4

How did Black Power impact Universities?

Answer 4

They began African American studies

Question 5

What evidence is there that Malcom X was successful?

Answer 5

-“Black is beautiful” was deeply inspiring to many African Americans and encouraged many to reject stereotypes made
-Speeches and activism inspired many to embrace their identity and lead to a further demand for equality
-Focused on the experience in the South, as the Bible Belt is where people were the most racist

Question 6

What evidence is there that Malcom X was less successful?

Answer 6

-His more militant approach somewhat hindered progress as it alienated white people in a country made up of 90% whites
-His confrontational style was heavily criticised by other AA leaders who thought he was too radical
-A sharp contrast of MLK, which potentially limited collaboration with other AA leaders