During the 1960s and 70s in the United States, the issue of inequality reached an all-time high. One of the main issues of inequality were the rights of African-Americans being denied to this particular minority, such as the right to vote or to use the same restroom location as a white person. Many members of the Black community suffered from various types of abuse and began to want change in their lives and for others in their community. This time period was one of disruptive change for many Americans, because they feared that this movement threatened to change their way of life. There were laws put in place, like the Jim Crow Laws, that restricted African-Americans from leading a normal everyday life like white people were able to. In the speech, “Black Power,” Stokely Carmichael creates a connection to historical context by mentioning various groups, like the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, and describing this time period in American history. By mentioning these organizations, Carmichael was able to emphasize the work and movements they created in the fight to achieve social equality in the United States. This speech allows us to have a greater understanding of what was occurring in America during this time period, especially in the Southern region of the country where racism was much more prevalent. “Black Power” is important because it provides today’s society with a historical insight into this time period by mentioning different organizations along with their efforts to show how important these African-American led organizations created movements that changed American history. 

The attempt to create equality in America was achieved through desegregation. This meant that through this process there was no longer a need to separate blacks from other members of society due to their skin color. Desegregation also improved the way of life for many African-Americans by improving their education systems because they did not have to send their children to all black schools that had a lower quality of education than white schools. The main objective of the process of desegregation was to stop subjecting blacks to a lesser treatment than that of whites in their society. Carmichael called for an integration in society so that the differences in society between races in America were less prevalent. Improvements towards equality were not achieved easily or overnight. Violence was common during this time period, due to altercations between blacks and whites or protests that occurred. Many people that worked to achieve social equality in the United States died or went to jail because of their beliefs. In Cherisse Jones-Branch’s review of “The Spirit and the Shotgun: Armed Resistance and the Struggle for Civil Rights,” she mentions that “the federal government began to protect civil rights activists in the late 1960s, a new generation of black leaders adopted armed resistance as the only alternative to nonviolent protest.” African-Americans began their work to achieve to equality through nonviolent boycotts and protests, but they were met with use of the weapons and other harms from the police and white supremacy groups. Although many of these white supremacist groups, such as the Ku Klux Klan, existed before the Civil Rights Movement, there was a surge of activity from these groups during this time period. This came as a backlash to the attempts of African-Americans to achieve equality and improve the societal standards their race faced in America. Through this review it was evident the need of blacks to create reform because of the prejudice blacks faced during this time period, that they were willing to risk their lives for this cause. African-American organizations as a result became more violent and used weapons during their demonstrations. In Carmichael’s speech he stressed that activist organizations needed to achieve their goals through nonviolence. This review relates to Carmichael’s speech because it provides additional information about the tensions that existed in America during the Civil Rights Movement. It also emphasizes the dangers African-Americans faced during this time period in American society. The necessity of the Federal Government to intervene to protect their lives showed the danger the activists and members of African-Americans faced. 

When reading Carmichael’s speech, the historical context is evident through the description of the events mentioned and stating specific organizations that aided in this movement. Carmichael’s tone in this speech also allows the reader to assume from the text of the speech that this occurred or is talking about the Civil Right Movement.  For many reading this, it would remind them of Dr. Martin Luther King or other famous social activists of this time period. This creates a connection for the reader to the historical time period because they can relate to these famous figures and the work they accomplished. It also allows for them to have a greater understanding of what culture was like during this time. In John Matthew Smith’s review of “Challenging U.S. Apartheid: Atlanta and Black Struggles for Human Rights, 1960-1977” the reader is presented with the idea that black activism in the United States during the 1960s’ and 70s’ was an issue of human rights. The review looked at the social struggle in the Deep South, that existed due to racism; specifically, in the city of Atlanta. Problems in the South came as a result of white supremacy after the Civil War that lowered the quality of life for most blacks living in this region of the United States. It also goes into depth about the different activist platforms that existed in Atlanta. These organizations worked to improve the quality of life for African Americans. Many younger African Americans were members of these organizations and hoped to create change that would be seen in their lifetimes. The increase in younger activists can be seen in the student organization, Student Non Violent Coordinating Committee. It is also important to note the term apartheid used throughout the piece, which creates a historical connection between the social struggle of blacks in America to the system of government instituted segregation that blacks in South Africa faced. This review connects to Carmichael’s speech because both discuss the issue of race in society during the same time period, the Civil Rights Movement, and mention the work of organizations to achieve change in society. The historical context in this review provides another account of the work of activist organizations in America in the 1960s and 70s, especially in the Southern city of Atlanta, where many blacks faced oppression. 

This story confirms what many have already known about the Civil Rights Movement and life in America during the 1960s’ and 70s’, but it has emphasized the importance of African-American led movements that created change within this country. This speech also reiterated the idea that there was a large outcry from blacks needing for the white community to get involved was emphasized immensely to the reader. Most of the change came from black initiated movements, rather than whites reaching out first to improve the situation of minorities.

Without the initiatives created in the black community, many whites would have continued to give little importance to the issues of this community faced. During this time period white people gave importance to international issues, such as communism, more importance than domestic issues, like the Civil Rights Movement. The organizations that created change in America were vital in developing the social structure of the United States. The work they accomplished helped develop the treatment of blacks and other minorities today. This speech is relevant today because it is important to look back at the Civil Rights Movement and see how far the United States has come in the fight for equality and it relates to issues the country faces today and in the future. Activist organizations from this time period continue to inspire others to share their ideas and call out for change when they feel it is needed in society. Equality is an ever-changing issue that will never be fully accomplished and needs the initiative of organizations and individuals to help lead the movement and create change.
