The Civil Rights Movement: The Black Power Movement

Huey Newton, one of the leaders of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defence, stated: “Black Power is giving power to people who have not had power to determine their destiny.” From the late 1960s, to the early 1980s, the Black Power Movement (BPM), triggered by the shortcomings of the Civil Rights Movement (CRM) and influenced heavily by Malcolm X, used a variety of techniques, including an increasingly militant approach, to bring about the change African-Americans demanded, with some success and a legacy that still endures today.
The Black Power Movement heavily owed its existence to the Civil Rights Movement, which failed to address certain key areas. While the CRM was successful in ending many segregation laws, with both the Civil Rights
It continued the marches and demonstrations the Civil Rights Movement had started, but a more violent and militant approach became viewed as essential to bring about meaningful change. An important aspect of the BPM Movement was the Black Panther Party for Self-Defence, a militant organisation that took a direct and hostile approach to combating racism and discrimination. One of its most well-known programs, the 'Patrol the Pigs' campaign, involved black citizens taking up arms and patrolling the streets, shadowing police to eliminate police brutality and educate African -Americans on their rights. Because of their policy of arming blacks, they also marched against the Mulford Act in 1966, a law which would ban the carrying of a loaded weapon by a normal person in a public location. Another campaign that they became well-known for was the Free Breakfast for children program, and in addition to this, they had a variety of programs addressing social conditions, improving the health of those living in the inner city, decreasing poverty, and creating a more positive public image. Their newspaper also served to circulate their ideas and principles. Black participation in the government was also encouraged, a step that had full federal support. Aside from the Black Panthers, a massive number of other organisations supported the Movement, including the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, the US Organization, the Revolutionary Action Movement and the National Welfare Rights Organisation. Protests also spread to sport, with Muhammad Ali refusing to serve in the army for religious and political reasons and with John Carlos and Tommie Smith performing the Black Power salute while on the winners' pedestal at the 1968 Olympic Games . Teaching history from a black viewpoint was also promoted, to further strengthen racial pride. Carmichael became one of the leading anti-war activists due to the high