Stokely Carmichael’s Black Power is a tribute and argumentative speech he states at the University of California at Berkley. Carmichael wastes no time when reflecting on this nation’s issues with the unfair justice and educational system for African-American’s. He connects the country’s history of slavery and segregation to the growing issues in modern day society when dealing with segregation in the educational and justice system. Although I did believe the speech was a bit over the top, these two informational articles used for this essay add an element of understanding when it comes to Carmichael’s argument. The cited sources provide clarity to readers of Stokely Carmichael’s Black Power and to blinded eyes on the issue of racism in our schools and government.

  In the first article, African American Male College Athletes’ Narratives on Education and Racism”,  the main idea is to provide reader’s with proven studies and first hand experiences of the unjust educational system, specifically for African American male college athletes.  Bobby, Marcus, and Mark are the three athletes that are focal points of this article because of their first hand accounts with the educational system and how it is unruly for African American’s. The typical stereotypes peers and professors have of these African American athletes are discussed in their stories.  Bobby specifically stresses about the unfair judgment they receive. The constant judgment of these athletes on campus whether it’s because of their baggy clothes or the stereotype of being a dumb jock. This lack of progression in our universities across this country is mortifying. The athletes go on to explain that their college advisors used to schedule them for classes that they didn’t need or weren’t necessary. The assumption was made by the players that the advisors didn’t care if they registered for the necessary classes they only want these kids for the sports they play, not their college education. Not only does this negatively effect the feelings of these star athletes on campus but it effects their education as well, having to perform well under the pressure that stirs up because of teacher’s and academic advisors negativity. 

In Black Power by Stokely Carmichael, Carmichael expresses his deep concern for racism still present in what he believes to be a corrupt education system. Throughout the passage he uses statistics on racism and the negative effects it has on African-American’s. He discusses past historical events that have lead our communities to this point in time to help sharpen his thorough argument. In the first article, the specific niche of African American Male Athletes’ well being in colleges across America is discussed. The article is key to the connection of Black Power because it shows that although it seems to be very beneficial to a be an athlete on a college campus the article gives first hand accounts of how the educational system still fails these college athletes. This element of first hand accounts discussing the racism and judgment that these athletes live adds reassurance. Secondly, this article gives Carmichael credibility because his claims in his argument have validity now thanks to these elements used. Thirdly, Carmichael’s speech lacked first hand experiences with racism, the only thing we had to believe was his word. Luckily, this article adds the element of first hand experiences to Carmichael’s ideas. Not only does his speech have validity from the history side of things, it shows that there really has been a lack of progression in modern day society when it comes to racism and ignorance.

 In the second article, Coloring Outside the Lines: Racial Segregation in Public Schools and Their Attendance Boundaries, studies prove that the biased opinions in the real estate business causes minimal diversity in public schooling which leads to inefficient education. According to studies, white families choose to live in predominantly white neighborhoods whereas African American families choose to live in segregated neighborhoods. In other words, African American’s don’t have a biased opinion on who lives in their neighborhood, it’s the white families who pride themselves on staying out of diverse neighborhoods, due to their judgment of African American families.. The free education of public schools is effected due to the attendance of private and magnet schools has caused for an increase in segregation within school districts. On page 84, it’s stated that, “Clotfelter (2004a) found that while segregation within school districts decreased between 1970 and 2000, segregation between school districts increased during this period.“ The increased segregation in the educational system has led to a regression in today’s society showing that racism is still prevalent and affecting our communities. 

The second article applies well because it shows the progression made in the 1950’s-1970’s was irrelevant due to the regression made in the educational system regarding segregation. Carmichael states in his speech that, “If someone wants to live in a white neighborhood and he’s black, that is his choice. It should be his right.” (Carmichael 317) Sadly, every day in the real estate business, African American families are judged by real estate agents when attempting to find a new home. The factual evidence provided in this article proves Carmichael’s statement correct about segregation in the housing market. Carmichael knows the problem is the way white families judge black families that try to move into their neighborhoods. It’s a disgrace that this issue still occurs today in America, this negatively effects integration and the educational system becomes top heavy and segregated, showing signs of regression. This article employs the importance of the desegregation movement several decades ago. It’s important to know the facts about segregation before reading Black Power because it will lead you to read the passage from a different viewpoint.  After reading Black Power, I thought Carmichael was over the top with his opinions and thought he was speaking out of a certain grudge he had instead of using logical reasoning, but after seeing the significance of these two articles and seeing the points that were proven through experience and statistics, I realize Carmichael’s argument does hold truth.

Carmichael’s emotional speech about racism and regression struck the mind’s of all who read and listened to this speech. Looking back at a sensitive time period for all, slavery and segregation is no easy topic to discuss. Carmichael’s voice is strong and gives clarification to the African-American community. Personally, it wasn’t until I read these two articles that I believed Carmichael’s argument had validation. The elements of first hand experiences and factual statistical evidence proved to me that Carmichael’s point of regression in America is true. Reading Carmichael’s speech after looking over the two articles only made me feel hostile towards how we’ve treated minorities for decades now. When Carmichael delivered his speech in October of 1966, he made the inference that change wouldn’t happen for years and not until our society desires change. Carmichael’s thoughts made me think about if America has regressed. I then realized that I wasn’t sure of myself because I wanted to believe that this country is moving in the right direction. Unfortunately, these two articles give life to Carmichael’s perception that this country needs change. An astonishing 50 years has passed since Carmichael’s speech and his argument still holds truth that racism and segregation is still very much alive and well in the United States of America.
