ACHIEVEMENTS OF BLACK POWER
Achievements of Black Power:
To many people, the Black Power Movement may have not achieved much, as there may have not been many upfront, explicit changes and improvements. However, if the Black Power Movement’s achievements were looked into and analysed, many mainstream and unconventional achievements could be drawn. |
Black Power Initiatives
During their time in charge, the Black Power Movement helped Black people rediscover their Black identity, as well as giving them independence and carrying on Malcolm X’s original views, of rediscovering their African heritage. The Black Panther Party and the Black Power Movements offered and opened up many successful initiatives, in order to help the disadvantage Black people. |
For Example
-Over 10,000 Black people were helped by health and education initiatives
-By 1969, 49 Black Panther clinics were opened across America
-Sickle Cell illness was brought on to the Government agenda
-1972 National Sickle Cell Armenia Control Act Set up, which gained Government funding
The opening and success of these initiatives all show and highlight the achievements of the Black Power Movement
Political and Economic Achievements:
Even though Black Power didn’t solve all the economic and political issues faced by Northern Blacks in America, there was significant progress, considering they were not actually in power for that much time. The help that the Black Panthers offered was extremely supportive and practical, to those who suffered and lived in Northern Ghettos. The Black Power Movement helped the situation remain on the political agenda.
The Black Panther Party (BPP), were extremely successful in the fact that they appealed and highlighted the changes that needed to occur in the North, rather than everything targeting and directly aiming at the South. These political and economic achievements helped and showed success for the liberation and emancipation of Black people in Northern America, again highlighting the major achievements of the Black Power Movement.
Cultural Impacts and Achievements:
Black Power was extremely influential in the media and entertainment sector. For example famous artists such as Miles Davis and actors/comedians such as Bill Cosby were all supportive of the Black Power Movement and their fame may not have been as big as it was, had it not been for the Black Panthers and the Black Power Movement.
Also the media helped Black people gain a more positive image. For example Nichelle Nicholas, a Black actor, played Lieutenant Uhura, a character who had black roots and was popular in and amongst the Black Americans at the time. Also the portrayal of Catwoman (played by Ertha Kitt a black actress), was also favoured by Black Americans, as she was an assertive and strong character. These cultural impacts were extremely significant, as it lead to the eventual advancement in the social status of Black Americans, again showing the achievement of the Black Power Movement.
-Over 10,000 Black people were helped by health and education initiatives
-By 1969, 49 Black Panther clinics were opened across America
-Sickle Cell illness was brought on to the Government agenda
-1972 National Sickle Cell Armenia Control Act Set up, which gained Government funding
The opening and success of these initiatives all show and highlight the achievements of the Black Power Movement
Political and Economic Achievements:
Even though Black Power didn’t solve all the economic and political issues faced by Northern Blacks in America, there was significant progress, considering they were not actually in power for that much time. The help that the Black Panthers offered was extremely supportive and practical, to those who suffered and lived in Northern Ghettos. The Black Power Movement helped the situation remain on the political agenda.
The Black Panther Party (BPP), were extremely successful in the fact that they appealed and highlighted the changes that needed to occur in the North, rather than everything targeting and directly aiming at the South. These political and economic achievements helped and showed success for the liberation and emancipation of Black people in Northern America, again highlighting the major achievements of the Black Power Movement.
Cultural Impacts and Achievements:
Black Power was extremely influential in the media and entertainment sector. For example famous artists such as Miles Davis and actors/comedians such as Bill Cosby were all supportive of the Black Power Movement and their fame may not have been as big as it was, had it not been for the Black Panthers and the Black Power Movement.
Also the media helped Black people gain a more positive image. For example Nichelle Nicholas, a Black actor, played Lieutenant Uhura, a character who had black roots and was popular in and amongst the Black Americans at the time. Also the portrayal of Catwoman (played by Ertha Kitt a black actress), was also favoured by Black Americans, as she was an assertive and strong character. These cultural impacts were extremely significant, as it lead to the eventual advancement in the social status of Black Americans, again showing the achievement of the Black Power Movement.
Further Impacts and Achievements:
Added to these previous successes, there were further positives that could be drawn from the Black Power Movement. In the song ‘Sweet Sweetbacks Baadasssss Song’, Police brutality and violence by LA police, which Huey Newton praised. Furthermore, the film Shaft (1971) was also a success, as it portrayed a black Detective and the Black Panthers tackling the Mafia in New York, which showed superiority, courageousness and it helped improve the image of Black people in America. Finally, Black Athletes (Tommie Smith and John Carlos), showed their support for the Black Power Movement, by giving the Black Power salute whilst on the podium, receiving their medals, during the 1968 Olympics. This extremely controversial act further enhanced the popularity and symbolised that the Black Power Movement was unified and looked up to (which is a success in itself).
In conclusion, it has to be said that this new radical style of approach towards the emancipation of Black Americans was extremely popular, significant and with it, brought a lot of success and many different achievements. The Black Panther Party and the Black Power Movement brought and unified many people across America, as well as also helping Black People in many different ways and forms. The fact that they helped Black people (whether it was medically, economically and/or culturally), showed that the achievements were extremely successful.
Added to these previous successes, there were further positives that could be drawn from the Black Power Movement. In the song ‘Sweet Sweetbacks Baadasssss Song’, Police brutality and violence by LA police, which Huey Newton praised. Furthermore, the film Shaft (1971) was also a success, as it portrayed a black Detective and the Black Panthers tackling the Mafia in New York, which showed superiority, courageousness and it helped improve the image of Black people in America. Finally, Black Athletes (Tommie Smith and John Carlos), showed their support for the Black Power Movement, by giving the Black Power salute whilst on the podium, receiving their medals, during the 1968 Olympics. This extremely controversial act further enhanced the popularity and symbolised that the Black Power Movement was unified and looked up to (which is a success in itself).
In conclusion, it has to be said that this new radical style of approach towards the emancipation of Black Americans was extremely popular, significant and with it, brought a lot of success and many different achievements. The Black Panther Party and the Black Power Movement brought and unified many people across America, as well as also helping Black People in many different ways and forms. The fact that they helped Black people (whether it was medically, economically and/or culturally), showed that the achievements were extremely successful.