There has been one staple throughout history that no matter what has been evident; this staple would be oppression. Whether it be racism towards African Americans, Native Americans, anti-Semitism, to less glaring forms of oppression, as it stands, those in power have always oppressed a minority group for one reason or another. The same goes for racism that has played out in the history of the United States. At the start, African Americans were nothing more than slaves in this country, no rights, no freedoms, nothing. Abraham Lincoln and the civil war were a huge step forward for integration with the freeing of the slaves etc. Since that time, black people in this country have fought to truly be equals to the over whelming majority of whites in this country. It is not until the 1950’s that true progress is made with the civil rights movement that swept the nation. Stockley Carmichael was a part of this movement at first in a way that he may not have looked favorably upon, but later preached in what he truly believed, peace and tranquility to push for equality rather than violence. His speech at Berkley is reflective upon the black panther party as well as his involvement in it, and the entire civil rights movement in general. 

 In the beginning, the Black Panther party was started by a group of people on college campuses believing strongly that the African American community was being treated very poorly. They however did not believe in the peaceful way that most went about protesting. The Panthers patrolled black neighborhoods in order to make sure there was not mistreatment by the cops on people within the community. At first, this idea was liked and popular, they were seen as protectors of rights and defenders of injustice. Given time, things began to go wrong; their image took a hit as well as their strong influence. This was mostly started by Stockley Carmichael’s contrasting views within the party. Differing from others in the party, he viewed peaceful action as a favorable course of action and preached racial unity. Carmichael’s action caused infighting within the militant group, and started the fall that the powerful party wanted to avoid. Not long after the FBI and the police began to crack down on the party after a number of proposed killings and numerous altercations with law enforcement. This was evident by the raids and eventual killings or arrests of large party leaders. The name of the party had been tarnished; they had lost the support of the people as well as the strength within themselves. It had finally come to an end for the Black Panther Party.  

In order to understand the concept of Black Power as well as the history behind it, it is important to understand the Black Panther Party. Black Power is meant to be a peaceful expression for freedoms by the African American community. It can be said that the actions and aggression of the Black Panther party have affected this movement in a negative way. The use of force in order to send a message tends to turn people off from your message. It is possible this could be the reason as to why racism is still in effect despite the progress that has been made. Carmichael states that action must be taken within the white community in order for this problem to be solved. One must acknowledge a mistake has been made in order to fix it, and as of yet not everyone as admitted to that mistake. This ugly side of outspokenness was an unnecessary way in portraying a very clear and important message. It does make sense that people would be more likely to accept and idea if the group of people used peaceful ways in attempting to bring light to their situation. When the protest has aggression, murder, trafficking, as well as drugs attached to it, it makes it difficult for people to look past that and stay focused on the issue at hand. Carmichael preached for racial unity and more of a peaceful approach; find a way for those who have made a mistake to accept that a mistake has made. Two wrongs don’t make a right. 

Another very important working in Carmichael’s ideas portrayed in his speech is the civil rights movement as a whole. He speaks about the idea of whites not giving freedoms or not giving freedoms, rather denying the African Americans their natural freedoms they were born with. Every human is born free and simply denied freedoms or have his freedoms respected. The civil rights movement was a movement that entailed all the freedoms that African Americans were having neglected and was a cry for these natural freedoms to be respected. 

The speech made by Carmichael is presented in a comedic fashion which gives him the ability to play to the crowd in a sense, and present his thoughts so they will be absorbed. At the beginning of his speech, Carmichael makes a joke at him running for president “The first is that, based on the fact that SNCC, through the articulation of its program by its chairman, has been able to win elections in Georgia, Alabama, Maryland, and by our appearance here will win an election in California, in 1968 I'm going to run for President of the United States. I just can't make it, 'cause I wasn't born in the United States. That's the only thing holding me back.” This is clearly an attempt to remind the audience of how racism truly limits people. In addition, the response of the audience allows the current generation to understand how laughable it was to think of an African American president. This quote is seen as a harmless joke early in his speech, but it actually highlights the underlying problem he goes on to address later on; which is the severity of racism that people in this “free” country had to deal with. 

Another interesting aspect of Carmichael’s speech is the tone, and or language that he uses. In a time when African American’s in this country were truly viewed as inferior people and incapable of living up to the “intellectual standard” set by the white community, and Carmichael steps up in from of a crowd of students from a respected university and speaks in a professional manner. When someone is able to break that barrier showing the stereo types don’t apply to all, it becomes a truly powerful message that would have been a step in the right direction for the black power movement.  For example, there are multiple references of philosophers such as Camus, and Sartre. These references show a level of intellect that allows him to “play on the same field” as those who wish to demean him. In addition, he uses the word subterfuge which simply strengthens his argument for the level of intellect this man truly possesses.

However, there is no denying the fact that the true inspiration for a speech such as this is the Black Power movement. The man continuously references everyday problems minorities had to face in this country as well as how hard they were fighting to be recognized as equal. An idea that should not be questioned in the first place, everyone should be seen as equal. This large movement truly impacted this country and the world at large. It showed what not to do most definitely, as well as a cry worldwide for minorities to be given the opportunities others are given.

Carmichael was heavily influenced by the Black Panther party as well as Black Power movement. The difference is that they influenced him in different ways. On the one hand, he came to realize how he disagreed with the Black Panthers, and how they stalled the growth of the movement. On the other hand, the Black Power movement inspired him to say what he did and act how he did. It influenced the way he spoke, which was to prove his equivalence to any educated man. It also gave him inspiration to connect with those he believed would influence change. Carmichael realized it is against human nature to accept fault which is why he tried to take his argument in a different direction. 
