
Stokely Carmichael was a Civil Rights Activist, Chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and Honorary Prime Minister of the Black Panther Party. Carmichael worked alongside many other Civil Rights Activists, such as Martin Luther King Jr., but soon lost faith in what he believed in—the tactic of non-violence was no longer working, which led to the promotion of “Black Power” and working with the militant Black Panther Party. Carmichael became an advocate for changing the Civil Rights Movement, from a non-violent movement to a more violent, less tolerant movement.

Charles J. Stewart, author of The Evolution of a Revolution: Stokely Carmichael and the Rhetoric of Black Power, was published in 1997 in the Quarterly Journal of Speech. Stewart focuses on how the rhetoric of social movements and social movement organizations change over time due to, “temporal changes, changing social values, challenges from within and without, and ideological refocusing” (Stewart 429). There is change that is meant to be made, but the time in which change will happen depends on what is happening within society itself as well as the individuals. Stewart shows an excellent example on how the Civil Rights Movements changed from patience and tolerance of time, to a more demanding time-framed focus on creating change.

A sense of change, or refocus for the Black Power movement came about with Stokely Carmichael. Similar to advocates before him, Carmichael sought to find a change for himself and other Black Americans in hopes of living a thriving and equal life. Carmichael sought the opportunity to make a change, and went forth with his supporters. Carmichael was the push and answer that many were looking for, “…shifted…nonviolent, civil disobedience to more militant and separatist’s stances, tactics and demands” (Stewart 432). Becoming chairman of the SNCC in 1966, Carmichael was able to push for more of a change and allowed for his supporters to grow. The SNCC soon became very radical, “…white members, once actively recruited, were no longer welcome” (History.com).

 With the help of Carmichael and the buildup of frustration and lack of progress for Black Americans, a new generation of activists sprouted about and began to make progress for and within the Black Power movement. A new term was coined by Carmichael and his supporters, “Black Power,” a fresh beginning and the chance for change. The ‘new’ Black Power movement established by Carmichael with his term “Black Power” was the perfect opportunity to change the dimensions and direction of the civil rights movement by restructuring it around ‘new aces and new power bases’ (Stewart 432).

Similar to many individuals Carmichael was looking for the opportunity to change and once he saw the opportunity he took it. An ‘idol’ for the Black Power Movement was needed, and Carmichael was that idol. He was seen as someone to create change, people wanted to see and hear what Carmichael had to say, he soon became the meaning for the Black Power Movement. Some will argue that Carmichael lost sight of what he was fighting for, “…mirror image of the young, angry, militant leaders in the students’ rights, peace and counter-culture movements of the time” (Stewart 434) and others will argue that he became impatient as there was no change being made. Black Power became a rallying call for young advocates that supported the ideas of Carmichael. Truth be told Carmichael became hypocritical of his previous thoughts and notions, but in doing so gained many more followers, “…moral…the strategy [non-violent] would win public support for civil rights by drawing a sharp contrast…between the peacefulness of the protestors and the brutality of the police…” (History.com). Truth be told Carmichael became hypocritical of his previous thoughts and notions, but in doing so gained many more followers. 

Carmichael wanted to see a change, but wanted to do it the ‘right’ way, “…people have been upset…integration was irrelevant when initiated by blacks…insidious subterfuge, for the maintenance of white supremacy” (Carmichael 314). Carmichael sought that it was better to not upset anyone further, but he believed things needed to move at a faster rate. It was thought and believed that integration would completely abolish the black community, but black power would retain its’ [the Black Community’s] rich heritage. Carmichael wanted to find a way out for himself and for his people [other black people], but it was a fight for freedom, a fight for escape, “You may enslave a man after he is born free, and that is in fact what this country does…white people can do is stop denying black people their freedom…they [white people] never give it [freedom] to anyone” (Carmichael 315). It was believed that black people were not born with freedom, and never truly have freedom, but through the Civil Rights Movement change began to happen.

Carmichael saw that the white people were holding individuals back for the sole reason of color. Black people were seen as less, as low as being called an animal—their lives meant nothing to anyone except for their own. The idea that rights are taken from an individual did not agree with Carmichael, and he did not agree that given, born rights, were taken away by the white supremacy morally. These rights, freed born rights, were seen as privileges, when they should have been seen and established as rights, “…that wasn’t a privilege; it was my right” (Carmichael 314).

Veronica Burchard wrote an article From James Madison to Malcom X: Black Power and the American Founding, published in the OAH Magazine of History in July 2008. Burchard’s focus is how the Black Power movement of the 1960s show some “philosophical common grounds” to that of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (Burchard 12). Malcom X and Stokley Carmichael were one of many individuals in which Burchard chooses to focus on and how their [advocates for the Civil Rights Movement and Black Power Movement] efforts pushed forth the Black Power movement, while comparing their ideas to how colonists went forth about making changes for themselves. Both the Black Power movement advocates and supporters as well as the colonists shows how they both were fighting for individuality and equal opportunities individually and as a whole.

One of Burchard’s first points was how Malcom X saw rhetorical value in making the connection between both blacks in mid-twentieth-century and the situation of the colonists in the mid- to late-eighteenth century. Malcom X chooses to follow similar ideas to that of the colonists, he does not directly feel war is the answer. “…it is not only his own death he is presenting as an option,” in relation to the colonists, more specifically Patrick Henry, in which he speaks of supporting war with England and his willingness to die for the cause. There is a time and a place for there to be more extreme majors to be taken, but Malcom X, as well as many other advocates, felt in this sense that violence was not the answer—violence would lead to more problems. Malcom X saw the Black Power movement as something more than finding a way out for an individual, but for hundreds and thousands of individuals who were struggling with freedom—not agreeing with the violent approaches that were sought out. 

Stokely Carmichael was a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), but unlike Malcom X, he became disillusioned after experiencing years of racial terror in the South. Threats of violence was seen as a means to end segregation and to make a progress within the Black Power movement. The movement from non-violent to violent movements changed the idea and movement of the Civil Rights.

Freedom is not given to an individual, but rather one is born free, “Now, then, in order to understand white supremacy, we must dismiss the fallacious notion that white people can give anybody their freedom. No man can give anybody his freedom. A man is born free.” (Carmichael 315). As individuals, black people struggled with the idea of freedom and even being considered being human, “How can we begin to build institutions that will allow people to relate with each other as human beings?” (Carmichael 313). If one is not a human being, than how is one able to socialize and create change?

Carmichael sought that there had to be a ‘better’ way to make a change for himself and those like him. There are times that one must fight for what he or she believes to be his or her rights, “…they [Black Community] exercised their First Amendment rights of speech, press, and assembly to criticize government leaders and advocate for what they saw as more intelligent and strategic political participation” (Burchard 41) and this movement gave the opportunity to do so. 

Malcom X did not see that tactics should be solely based on morality, as there was no moral in the system, but the thought of morality could corrupt an individual for doing what is right for the greater good. Malcom X contradicted himself in many ways, in the sense that he believed morals should be held, but it is hard doing so when there are no morals to begin with. Both Carmichael and Malcom X saw that action needed to be taken to progress the Black Power movement, which these ideas soon led to a more violent and abrupt action to be taken—Malcom X did not necessarily agree with these more violent approaches that were taken. Burchard argued the idea of how the Black Power movement of the 1960s and Southern Christian Leadership Conference were related, and in truth they both sought to make a change for more than one individual and they both sought to create improvements within society.

Carmichael believed in the idea of his movement and believed in what he stood for, “We are on the move for our liberation. We have tried to prove things to white people. We are tired of trying to explain to white people that we’re not going to hurt them,” but despite the push and desire for change Carmichael saw that the white people have a closed set mind to the idea of everyone having a free and equal chance (Carmichael 326). Carmichael wanted to see change to happen, but he was afraid that racism would overpower the opportunity for real change to ever happen for the black community, “…Will white people overcome their racism and allow for that to happen [a chance for freedom and equality for all]…?” (Carmichael 326). With the help of time, supporters, and beliefs changing the black community was able to see a change begin, a change for a more equal society.

Although Carmichael became hypocritical of his own beliefs, he was able to create a stronger stance on creating more understanding and equal opportunities for all blacks. Carmichael believed that one way or another there was going to be changed made, “Move over, or we’re going to move on over you” (Carmichael 326). With support of fellow advocates, and determination, Carmichael was able to set the pace for a new movement. Though violent Carmichael gained many more supporters when his ideas and thoughts became less radical for those who wanted to see more change to be made. There are still many changes that needed to be made in society today and many efforts that are still being fought for—from where the black community use to be to where they are now there is great change. Black lives have become more established and known throughout the years, but there are those that struggle with the beliefs and ideas of everyone being equal—not only the black community struggles with being seen as equal. Racism is still an issue as of today, but it is noticed that it is not as prominent as it was once. There were times that violence was seen as the answer, and it may or may not have been necessary to create the changes that are seen today, but with the help of Civil Rights activist such as Stokely Carmichael, Malcom X, Martin Luther King Jr., etc. the changes that are seen today would be nonexistent. 
