
The historical research that I did for “Black Power” was primarily focused on segregation and racism in the 1960’s. I also focused on the life of Stokely Carmichael and who influenced his life and his beliefs. The historical context of the time period allows this speech to have greater meaning and a greater impact on the intended audience. The time period of the 1960’s affected the way Stokely Carmichael gave his speech because of segregation, racial tension (rasism), and peer influences. Historical context of this piece and this time period help us realize that this speech was given at a much different time then we live in today. The intended audience is during the 1960’s which is why it is necessary to go look back at this time in history. He helped start and keep a movement of racial integration going and was an influential leader throughout the entire process. 

 The 1960’s were a leading time for segregation in the United States, not only in government, but also in every day life. Stokely Carmichael talks about how he wants there to be a bigger African American influence in politics. He even says, “in 1968 I’m going to run for President of the United States. I just can’t because I wasn’t born in the United States. That’s the only thing holding me back.”(pg. 313) He lead a movement that inspired African Americans to stand up for themselves in all aspects of life. This historical period told them the complete opposite and Carmichael, and his peers, were fed up with all of the negativity thrown toward black people.  Segregation was a huge movement and it took years to finally reach a day were we, as Americans, were integrated. Rosa Parks was one of the first people to stand up for what she believed in in a public setting. She refused to sit in the back of the bus and ending up being arrested. This kind of jump-started a movement of change for African Americans around the country. Martin Luther King Jr. also was a big factor in the movement of integration and racial equality. He was a big influence in the life of Stokely Carmichael and the two worked together sometimes in their efforts to make America a place where African Americans could feel equal and safe. King influenced him to join the freedom riders and join the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. He would later drop from both of these programs after being arrested during a freedom ride. Carmichael was a leader in a violent movement that consisted of violent protest and riots; while the movements King lead were all peaceful. Carmichael’s movements were seen as very violent, and they were, but they were seen as self defense. The two still worked together and influenced each other because they knew they shared a common goal. 

Racism during this time period lead to many riots and violent encounters between white people and African Americans. Racism is “The belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.” (Webster’s Dictionary) This belief of another race being “inferior or superior” was a huge problem during the 1960’s. A big reason that the United States was segregated is because of this belief that one race was more superior than the other. During the Vietnam War there were African American soldiers, but they weren’t treated like the white soldiers. They were given the worst clothes and equipment, while keeping the nice things for the white soldiers. African Americans made up a little over twelve percent of the military during this war and African American deaths were a little over fourteen percent of all deaths. The total population of the United States at this time consisted of eleven percent of the population being African American. Racism was also evident in the school systems around America. “The Little Rock Nine” was a group of nine African American kids trying to attend school in a town in Arkansas. The president at the time had to bring in the National Guard to escort the kids to school because their safety was in danger. They were spat on and cursed at because of the color of their skin, but that was just the mentality of people during this time in history. White people felt entitled to everything because throughout the course of history they were always in charge and to have African Americans want to lead and make moves in America frightened them. Even though Stokely Carmichael didn’t end racism he helped the effort to stop it. Racism is still a huge issue in today’s world and it will takes years and more leaders like Carmichael to end it. 

Stokely Carmichael had good and bad peer influences throughout his efforts to end segregation. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of Carmichael’s good influences; he worked with him to inform people of the problems with America at the time and what they could do to help the cause. Carmichael then gave his speech, “Black Power,” and this speech led to violent acts and riots throughout the United States in acts of self-defense. Malcolm X influenced Carmichael’s efforts in this movement in the violent way. The “Black Power” movement wasn’t what King stood for in his time as a civil rights activist. Carmichael was most likely fed up or frustrated with the fact that non-violent protest were getting almost nothing done while taking up so much time.  The time period was already filled with violence not only in America, but also all over the world. We were in the Vietnam War at the time, which was one of the most violent wars in history. Segregation and racism were leading roles in the violence that was taking place, which made the job of civil rights activist even harder. This time period was one where most Police were not for integration and saw it as a crime. Most people were participating in non-violent protest which still resulted in being arrested in some cases. Self-defense movements lead to riots and violent fights, which resulted in people moving farther apart instead of closer together. The roles of Stokely Carmichael, Martin Luther King Jr. and even Malcolm X were vital to this period in history. They all played key roles in making this country integrated and all three of them influenced each other throughout their lifetimes. 

The life of Stokely Carmichael was influenced by the history of the 1960’s. He went through peaceful times and also violent times in his efforts to better this country. His main goal was to make this country a place where African Americans and whites could get together in harmony. He wanted black people to be able to have roles in government and have the same opportunities as white people. Segregation was a leading role in his efforts as well as racism and peer influences. The historical period is one of separation in all aspects of American life and that affects the way Carmichaels speech is perceived by the intended audience. The Little Rock nine and the efforts of Rosa Park are key pieces of history that influence the way the country runs today. We can learn from the efforts of not only Carmichael but also all other civil rights activist. Ultimately Carmichael’s efforts paid off since we just very recently had our first black president of The United States. This is a huge stepping-stone in what Carmichael was reaching for in his goal of having African Americans in the government living and working with white people in harmony. 
