African Americans in the Black Power Era Evidence

Question 1

Evidence supporting political progress for AAs in BP Era. 4 main points

Answer 1

VR Act of 1965 led to dramatic increases in Black voter registration, from approx 23% to over 60% in some Southern states in 1969.
- Black elected officials increased from fewer than 100 nationwide in 1965 to over 2,000 by 1975.
- First Black mayors of cities were elected, including Carl Stokes, Richard Hatcher and Coleman Young,
- Congressional Black Caucus established in 1971, creating a unified legislative vote.

Question 2

Evidence supporting economic progress in Black Power for AAs. 4 main points

Answer 2

• Federal Affirmative Action policy expanded economic opportunities, with Black employment in government increasing 75% between 1965-75.
• Black median family income rose from 54% of white median family income in 1965 to 62% by 1975.
• Black business ownership rose 40% between 1969 and 1975.
• Black poverty rates declined from approximately 55% in 1959 to 30% by 1975.

Question 3

Evidence supporting social progress for AAs during BP era. 4 main points.

Answer 3

• Black enrolment in colleges and universities tripled from approximately 274,000 in 1966 to 814,000 in 1977.
• Establishment of Black Studies Programs at over 500 colleges and universities by 1975.
• Cultural pride and expression flourished, with Black arts movements emerging in major cities.
• Increased media representation, with TV shows like “Soul Train” and “Good TImes” with predominantly black casts.

Question 4

Evidence AGAINST political progress in the BP era. 4 points

Answer 4

• Law enforcement repression - FBI COINTELPRO operations targeted Black political organisations, resulting in the neutralisation of organisations like the Black Panthers.
• Political assassinations of leaders like MX (1965) and MLK (1968).
• Urban uprisings in over 300 cities between 1965 - 1968 were met with military-style repression resulting in about 250 deaths.
• Conservative backlash vs civil rights legislation began to mount by the early 1970s.

Question 5

Evidence AGAINST economic progress in the BP era for AAs. 4 main points.

Answer 5

-Deindustrialisation disproportionately affected black workers, with manufacturing jobs declining by approx 20% in major cities between 1967-1975.
- Urban unemployment rates for Black men in urban cities averaged 20-30%, more than double the rate for white men.
- Residential segregation remained high, with studies showing that 80% of Black Americans would need to move to achieve integration.
- Black family wealth at 10% of white family wealth by 1975.

Question 6

Evidence AGAINST social progress by AAs in the BP period. 4 main points

Answer 6

• Continued educational segregation; by 1975, approx 80% of black students still attend predominantly black schools.
• Rise in mass incarceration, Black incarceration rates increased 30% in the period.
• Urban disinvestment accelerated with federal highway and ‘urban renewal’ projects displacing 100,000 families.

Question 7

STATISTICAL EVIDENCE SUPPORTING PROGRESS

Answer 7

• Black enrolment in higher education tripled from 274,000 in 1966 to 814,000 in 1977.
• Black elected officials rose from less than 100 to over 2,000 from 1965-75.
• Poverty rates decline from 55% to 30% from 1959 to 75

Question 8

STATISTICAL EVIDENCE AGAINST PROGRESS

Answer 8

• Income inequality, despite improvements, Black median income remained at 62% of white median income by 1975.
• Unemployment consistently 2x white.
• Incarceration rose 30% between 1968 and 75