Malcolm X, Nation of Islam and Black Power
Black Panther Programmes
-breakfast programme for school children -clothing programmes -health clinics: free medical and dental services -programmes for prisoners and their families -clothing and shoe factories -research and testing centre for sickle cell anemia -escort services for elderly
Malcolm X
-charismatic and rose quickly as an influential speaker -messiah of the Harlem, Chicago, Detroit and LA ghetttos -attracted lots more members to the cause (men 17- 35) -fell out with Elijah Mohammed and broke away from the Nation of Islam 1963 -went on Hajj at the end of his life- became more moderate 1964 -assassinated in 1965
Reactions to the Nation of Islam
-seen as a militant and violent organisation -controversial -criticised for being racist
The Black Panther Party
-short lived organisation -attracted interest from FBI -regarded as a subversive organisation -had no effect on legislation, but supported communities -may have been preferred by local people -inspired by Malcolm X, and the idea of black power -clean cut and highly organised -worked at grassroots level
October 1966 Platform
1. we want freedom 2. we want full employment 3. we want an end to robbery by the white man 4. we want decent housing 5. we want education for our people 6. we want to be exempt from military service 7. we want an immediate end to police brutality 8. we want freedom for all black men in jail 9. we want to be tried in a court with a jury of our peers 10. we want land, bread, housing, education, clothing, justice and peace
Nation of Islam
Elijah Mohammad (leader) Black Muslims, whites could join in Started in Detroit in 1950's mostly northern believed there was inequality, but wanted separate by equal. didn't agree with the SCLC