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African American Participation In The Civil Rights Movement

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Discrimination and inequality around the world is not something that can be denied. African American citizens first started out as slaves and later earned their freedom after the Civil War. However, throughout American history, black women and men faced countless amounts of discrimination from white Americans and have had their civil liberties taken away from them even thought they were free men and women. There have many civil rights movements lead by black activists to fight for black equality. However, even with so many civil rights movements, black men and women are still fighting against discrimination and equality. Until there are enough black citizens that are powerful enough to change the way society and government works, blacks citizens …show more content…

In September 1966, Carmichael published an article in The New York Review of Books titled “What We Want” in. The article states that even though there are so many leaders who lead the civil right movement to gain equality, the movements’ “tone of voice was adapted to an audience of liberal whites” and that none of its so-called leaders could go into a rioting community and be listened to.” He states such movements are useless and does nothing to help the black community at all. He claims, “for too many years, black Americans marched and had their heads broken and got shot.” Carmichael states that the reason why the movement was not working is because the demonstrations were too weak. He explains that people in society thought that if a black person wanted to have a good education, then the black family should send their children to a white school and that if a black family wanted to live in a better house, then the family will have to move to a white neighborhood. He states that this makes it seem like white people are far better and more superior than black people. Carmichael introduces “black power,” where he believes “black people must do things for themselves.” He believes that if black people are able to control their own people, communities, and needs then it will give black people a sense of power, which they are lacking due to …show more content…

Malcolm believes that black people should be able to open businesses in their neighborhoods. He explains that if black people are able to open businesses, then it would mean more jobs for black people. This would mean that black people will not have to rely on white people for jobs. He insists that black people should be able to control their own economic wealth and should not be manipulated by white people. Malcolm also talks about how white politicians only come around when it is election time and that they often manipulate black citizens for their votes. He claims that even though black citizens help put these politicians in their offices, these politicians pay no attention and offer no help to black citizens. Malcolm urges black citizens to spread Black Nationalism. He warns the black citizens to pay attention to their voting decisions and to make sure they are voting for someone who would help benefit the black community. He claims that black citizens have the right to rebel if the government is not doing their job correctly, which is to protect its citizens. He states that black citizens will fight for their rights, if not through ballots then it will be through

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