Influence Of Black Power On African American Literature

“Black Power is giving power to people who have not had power to determine their destiny” were the words of Huey Newton, an activist who fought for equality and change for the 7African American community. The 1960s were a time of change, equality and opportunities. The Black Power Movement was the opportunity that African Americans needed in order to prove their value in society. Throughout the movement, the hard working negros fought for their political rights and social rights from city to city. The Black Power Movement during the 1960s influenced African American literature by allowing African American women to have a voice through literature, recognizing the popularity of African American entertainment and helping African Americans acknowledge

“In 1968 Kwame Ture defined Black Power as “the ability of black people to politically get together and organize themselves so that they can speak from a position of strength rather than a position of weakness” (“Black Power”, Gale). After so many years of hardships the African American community decided to take a stand and claim what corresponded to them after being denied their rights and seen as inferior from the rest of society. The black power movement was different from the civil rights movement, African Americans wanted to take a stand on their own, not involving the support of any other races or groups. “Unlike the civil rights movement, whites were prohibited from joining any of the Black Power organizations...Black Power organizations did not form alliances with white groups. Black poweririties sought to be free off any white influence or interference.” (“Black Power”, Gale). The movement lasted several years allowing Negros to prove their worth and abilities to the society who hated them so much. “While a few Black Power organizations remained active well into the mid-1970s, by the time of the election of President Jimmy Carter in November 1976, the Black Power movement was dead.” (“Black Power”, Gale). Ultimately, the Black Power movement was filled with many underlying goals that were brought by African Americans here in the United

These goals focused on changes to better their lives and the lives of future generations. “The movement was hailed by some as a positive and proactive forced aimed at helping blacks achieve full equality with whites.” (Milato, et al.) The main purpose of the movement was to bring awareness to African Americans of their natural beauty such as, their hair, skin color and culture. They wanted them to become aware of their uniqueness in culture and capabilities of being useful to society and to be able to provide for their families. “The main purpose of the Black Power Movement was to create and express a new racial consciousness among African Americans and to unite them in solidarity and make them self-reliant.” (What Was The Purpose). African Americans were also faced with economic and authority issues that they were tired of and wanted to change. “The Black Power movement wished to gain several things, including economic equality and a decrease in police brutality.” (Kitl). These goals established were not easy to take forward but with the help of important key players the movement was able to