The Proven Road To Freedom
by Amanda B.
by Amanda B.
How does one go around making a change in this world? What if that change is a controversial, unpopular one for a large percentage of the population? In the case of bringing justice back into the world, does one do so aggressively, or peacefully?
These are questions that have stumped many on their path toward freedom, whether in the Feminist group, the Native American group, or most notably, the Civil Rights for African American campaign. Because there is no right or wrong answer to these questions, varying opinions are common and divisions between freedom groups arise. Often, a few believe that to make a positive change in this world, peace and passivity must guide the way. Through non-violence, many advocate, those against the proposed change will slowly be appeased into seeing the need for equality. On the other hand, many activists believe that being aggressive is the only true way to bring equality and to free the oppressed. Rather than trying to please and pacify the pushback from oppressors, being strong and upfront about the need for change is the only way to achieve a full state of equality, fast.
This difference in methodology was a major factor in the disunity of the civil rights movement. On the one hand, was famous Martin Luther King Jr. protesting peacefully in Montgomery and Birmingham, Alabama and again in Washington with his "I Have A Dream" speech. On the other, was leader Malcolm X of the Nation of Islam, and organization notorious for their extreme approach to the civil rights campaign in the 1950-1960's. This disunity caused tension and even animosity between the African American of opposing ideological camps, and in the end, it is difficult to say which side was most effective. However, it is clear to us at Social (In)Justice that the aggressive party (including Malcolm X) is less well know and appreciated. Therefore, we would like to share and advocate for the the less popular view to educate our readers on the controversial, yet major sector of the Civil Rights campaign:
Before jumping into Malcolm X, we must explore another influential leader, African-American W.E.B. Du Bois. Du Bois was most noted as a co-founder of The Niagara Movement in 1905, the predecessor to the now strong NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People). The Movement, one of the first coalitions of civil rights proponents in the US, advocated assertive and active change, rather than passive change. The movement was a response to the accommodationist policies of fellow African-American, Booker T. Washington, who wished to gratify and indulge the white oppressors by being complaisant in the Negroes fight for equality after being freed from slavery. (See "Keep Calm and Carry On" article for more info). Du Bois and the other fellow Niagara members mutually felt that the only way African Americans could break the circle of oppression and white supremacy was by being aggressive and decisive in their requests for political and civil liberty. In The Niagara Movements "Declaration of Principles," the organizations views on methodology are clear. Throughout the piece are encouragements to forceful action, with the declaration urging blacks to "protest emphatically and continually" (Ravitch). Under the heading titled Agitation; "we do not hesitate to... complain loudly and insistently" further adding, "persistent manly agitation is the way to liberty" (Ravitch). It was clear through these declarations, Du Bois and The Niagara Movement were proponents of active rather than passive intervention half a decade before the mainstream militant movement gained momentum. The members early efforts were crucial in the formation of the NAACP, formed in 1909, so it is clear that their aggressive stance prevailed and was defining in the future of the Civil Rights campaign.
Perhaps one of the more notable aggressive-type civil rights leaders was Malcolm X. Growing up in a world where white supremacy was the law of the land, even in the more moderate North, Malcolm, after a stint in jail, was quick to adopt the Muslim religion that advocated Black empowerment. Having grown up seeing the horrors that the black race were put through and being personally victimized himself as his family and educational opportunities were torn apart by the supremacy of white community members, Malcolm embraced the Nation of Islam and soon became a trustworthy partner of it's leader, Elijah Muhammad. Becoming one of the leading ministers to the Black Muslims, X preached radical solutions to the issue of inequality. Malcolm criticized the white race of the world, accusing Caucasians of being "devils" for the centuries of oppression they imposed on the colored people across the globe in the name of "Christianity" (X). Because he felt that the white Americans' internalized guilt would never allow African American to live free and as equals, Malcolm X repudiated "integration" that others, like Martin Luther King Jr. advocated, and instead promoted the separation and establishment of a separate black colony in Africa. In mass Muslim gatherings in their mosques, Black Power leaders would preach assertiveness against the abuses the black race had endured for hundreds of years, with Muhammad exclaiming such things as, "The ignorance we of the black race here in America have, and the self hatred we have, they are fine examples of what the white slavemaster has seen fit to teach to us...We are humbling ourselves, sitting-in... trying to unite with the slavemaster. I don't seem able to imagine any more ridiculous sight" (X). The Nation of Islam was a magnetic force that drew thousands of African American in the 1950's and 1960's. Malcolm X, among others, shocked the nation with their harsh realities and brought to attention the deep anguish the African Americans felt about their unjust situation in the USA. Though extreme and semi-militant, the Black Power Movement was vital in spreading the civil rights cause and in empowering blacks across the nation. Eventually, because of internal corruption and jealousies within the Nation of Islam, the Black Power Movement, as it was known, fell apart. Yet their cause, because of leaders like Malcolm X, will forever be recognized as a revolutionary point in history.
These are questions that have stumped many on their path toward freedom, whether in the Feminist group, the Native American group, or most notably, the Civil Rights for African American campaign. Because there is no right or wrong answer to these questions, varying opinions are common and divisions between freedom groups arise. Often, a few believe that to make a positive change in this world, peace and passivity must guide the way. Through non-violence, many advocate, those against the proposed change will slowly be appeased into seeing the need for equality. On the other hand, many activists believe that being aggressive is the only true way to bring equality and to free the oppressed. Rather than trying to please and pacify the pushback from oppressors, being strong and upfront about the need for change is the only way to achieve a full state of equality, fast.
This difference in methodology was a major factor in the disunity of the civil rights movement. On the one hand, was famous Martin Luther King Jr. protesting peacefully in Montgomery and Birmingham, Alabama and again in Washington with his "I Have A Dream" speech. On the other, was leader Malcolm X of the Nation of Islam, and organization notorious for their extreme approach to the civil rights campaign in the 1950-1960's. This disunity caused tension and even animosity between the African American of opposing ideological camps, and in the end, it is difficult to say which side was most effective. However, it is clear to us at Social (In)Justice that the aggressive party (including Malcolm X) is less well know and appreciated. Therefore, we would like to share and advocate for the the less popular view to educate our readers on the controversial, yet major sector of the Civil Rights campaign:
Before jumping into Malcolm X, we must explore another influential leader, African-American W.E.B. Du Bois. Du Bois was most noted as a co-founder of The Niagara Movement in 1905, the predecessor to the now strong NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People). The Movement, one of the first coalitions of civil rights proponents in the US, advocated assertive and active change, rather than passive change. The movement was a response to the accommodationist policies of fellow African-American, Booker T. Washington, who wished to gratify and indulge the white oppressors by being complaisant in the Negroes fight for equality after being freed from slavery. (See "Keep Calm and Carry On" article for more info). Du Bois and the other fellow Niagara members mutually felt that the only way African Americans could break the circle of oppression and white supremacy was by being aggressive and decisive in their requests for political and civil liberty. In The Niagara Movements "Declaration of Principles," the organizations views on methodology are clear. Throughout the piece are encouragements to forceful action, with the declaration urging blacks to "protest emphatically and continually" (Ravitch). Under the heading titled Agitation; "we do not hesitate to... complain loudly and insistently" further adding, "persistent manly agitation is the way to liberty" (Ravitch). It was clear through these declarations, Du Bois and The Niagara Movement were proponents of active rather than passive intervention half a decade before the mainstream militant movement gained momentum. The members early efforts were crucial in the formation of the NAACP, formed in 1909, so it is clear that their aggressive stance prevailed and was defining in the future of the Civil Rights campaign.
Perhaps one of the more notable aggressive-type civil rights leaders was Malcolm X. Growing up in a world where white supremacy was the law of the land, even in the more moderate North, Malcolm, after a stint in jail, was quick to adopt the Muslim religion that advocated Black empowerment. Having grown up seeing the horrors that the black race were put through and being personally victimized himself as his family and educational opportunities were torn apart by the supremacy of white community members, Malcolm embraced the Nation of Islam and soon became a trustworthy partner of it's leader, Elijah Muhammad. Becoming one of the leading ministers to the Black Muslims, X preached radical solutions to the issue of inequality. Malcolm criticized the white race of the world, accusing Caucasians of being "devils" for the centuries of oppression they imposed on the colored people across the globe in the name of "Christianity" (X). Because he felt that the white Americans' internalized guilt would never allow African American to live free and as equals, Malcolm X repudiated "integration" that others, like Martin Luther King Jr. advocated, and instead promoted the separation and establishment of a separate black colony in Africa. In mass Muslim gatherings in their mosques, Black Power leaders would preach assertiveness against the abuses the black race had endured for hundreds of years, with Muhammad exclaiming such things as, "The ignorance we of the black race here in America have, and the self hatred we have, they are fine examples of what the white slavemaster has seen fit to teach to us...We are humbling ourselves, sitting-in... trying to unite with the slavemaster. I don't seem able to imagine any more ridiculous sight" (X). The Nation of Islam was a magnetic force that drew thousands of African American in the 1950's and 1960's. Malcolm X, among others, shocked the nation with their harsh realities and brought to attention the deep anguish the African Americans felt about their unjust situation in the USA. Though extreme and semi-militant, the Black Power Movement was vital in spreading the civil rights cause and in empowering blacks across the nation. Eventually, because of internal corruption and jealousies within the Nation of Islam, the Black Power Movement, as it was known, fell apart. Yet their cause, because of leaders like Malcolm X, will forever be recognized as a revolutionary point in history.
"Light some fires under Northern city halls, unions, and major industries to give more jobs to Negroes..."
-Malcolm X
The Autobiography of Malcolm X