Do you think that the black power movement should have turned to violence and separatism?

Question

Martin Luther King Jr. stood firm behing non-violence and accomplished much - like Civil Rights for all minorities in this country.

So what did the black radicals accomplish by going turning to violence and separatism?

Answer 1

Not all factions of what was considered the black power "movement" turned to violence, separatism, or both.  For those that did, I believe it was a mistake from several points of view.  

First, separatism within American society as a whole is almost impossible to accomplish with any success.  As an example, look to the religious groups that have tried to live separate from American mainstream society.  They either live in poverty, in primitive conditions, are driven into exile (like Jim Jones), or attacked by the govenment (like Waco).  American society does not encourage nonconformity, nor suffer it peacefully in most cases, and there will always be great societal pressure against separatist movements.  By choosing separatism, therefore, any group, black power groups included, will inevitably marginalize themselves.

Second, although we are a violent society in many ways, we try very hard to maintain the facade that we, as a society, abhor and reject violence.  By turning to violence, any group will therefore antagonize the government (which wishes to keep a monopoly on violent means to an end), the media, and in turn the public at large.  Again, marginalization is the result, as a minumum.  Incarceration is more likely, and while symbolic sacrifice has some value, it's hard to be effective while locked up in Leavenworth.

Finally, and this is perhaps the most significant reason why turning to violence is self-defeating, by doing so you validate a violent response.  The government is only too willing to use violence against those who have turned to violence themselves, and the black power movement was a VERY long way from being able to match the level of violence that government could deploy against them, in reaction.  It's like a 90-pound weakling picking a fight with a 250-pound bully, it's a fight you just can not win.

Answer 2

Looking back, I wonder.

If the tactics would have been violent and separatist, then, white people would not have stood up for the injustice.

If white people would not have stood beside our black brothers, the entire movement would have collapsed.

After hearing Barrack Obama say  that black churches across the country preach the same as Wright does, it makes me wonder, did we do the right thing, or should we have NOT helped and therefore NOT be hated even more today?

Answer 3

I must have missed a page.  I don't know of a movement that supposedly turned to violence and separatism. I can't imagine such a movement that rivaled the breadth and depth of Dr. King's work. Can you provide some supported details?  Thanks.

Answer 4

I was there. I vividly remember the dark days of American Aparteide. It was bad.

I'm white, BTW.

In retrospect, I believe it took both MLK's non-violent tactics and the BP's more "tangible" activities to accomplish the enormous strides that have taken place since 1960. MLK offered the carrot, as it were, and the BP movement provided the stick.

And I do say enormous strides; for despite the fact that there is STILL a great divide between the races - and there is STILL a very, very long way to go; in 1960, things were SO bad, that by comparison, the distance covered to date is, in fact, enormous. For example, gone are poll taxes, and other "social" restrictions to voting. Rather than being seen as a good and contributing social organization, the KKK is now vilified - as it should be. People can feel comfortable worshiping together - black beside white - and sing praises to whatever God they wish to worship. I can have my friends of different races dine as honored guests in my house - without fear of a cross being burned in my yard (which did happen when I was a child). Minorities can be civic leaders - mayors, governors - and presidential hopefuls. I can choose to go to a minority professional - lawyer, dentist, veterinarian if I wish. My neighbors can be of any color, race, denomination. And it's a good thing.

And my son, if he chooses, could marry a virtuous woman of a different race or background with all my blessings.

Still, the divide is great. 400 years of division is hard to close. Sometimes it's hard to see - but trust me. Progress is being made. Wish it could be faster - but the strongest wood grows the slowest.