"Black History Month, which is every month but especially in February, is a time to remember Black heroes who built the foundations for people of African descent to succeed and have a chance of freedom, which is something that most Black people didn’t have, and is still something we fight for."-- Trevor Walton, 8th grade
Black History Month, which is every month but especially in February, is a time to remember Black heroes who built the foundations for people of African descent to succeed and have a chance of freedom, which is something that most Black people didn’t have, and is still something we fight for.
Notable heroes such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Huey P. Newton put their life on the line for their brothers and sisters to have a better life, knowing that they might not make it out of the fight. Even though they’re gone, they are still not forgotten. Dr. King and Newton came from organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). These groups also made sure that young students of color can also rise and make a difference through their groups, such as Black Student Union (BSU). I’m going to discuss how the history, legacy, and accomplishments of these groups led to more African Americans to be able to have a voice in the world.
National Advancement for the Association of Colored People (NAACP):
Notable heroes such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Huey P. Newton put their life on the line for their brothers and sisters to have a better life, knowing that they might not make it out of the fight. Even though they’re gone, they are still not forgotten. Dr. King and Newton came from organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). These groups also made sure that young students of color can also rise and make a difference through their groups, such as Black Student Union (BSU). I’m going to discuss how the history, legacy, and accomplishments of these groups led to more African Americans to be able to have a voice in the world.
National Advancement for the Association of Colored People (NAACP):
The NAACP was established on February 12, 1909, in New York City, by famous figures such as Ida B. Wells and W.E.B. Du Bois, according to History. Earlier in 1908, there were deadly riots against African Americans in Illinois, which caught the attention of many activists, coming together to act as a voice for their fellow communities. The unification that followed these riots was the beginning of the NAACP.
The organization was formed on the idea of ending the horrifying acts of lynching, an action that was feared by many African Americans at the time. This unique group was led by Du Bois, a Pan-Africanist and Civil Rights activist who wanted African Americans to withstand racism and keep fighting together as a people. “We return from fighting. We return fighting,” Du Bois said, a statement from a novel he wrote, according to Civil Rights for Beginners, by Von Paul Blum and Frank Reynoso.
In the process to abolish lynching, the organization was trying get what the US Constitution promised through its 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, such as the ability for any person of a specific race and from a specific state to be able to vote, according to the NAACP, even though it took a very long time for African Americans in the South to actually be able to use their voting rights.
Through their acts of protesting lynching, the NAACP’s organization grew to at least 90,000 members and 300 branches. Once lynching was finally abolished, the organization started to focus on another problem that was a concern in the African American community: the inability to vote. According to History, the NAACP made its number one priority to focus on eliminating racial prejudice, and to help people of color gain the materials to fight for the right to vote, legal justice and educational and employment opportunities.
The NAACP had a very influential part in the Civil Rights Movement. Figures such as Rosa Parks and Dr. King. were a part of the organization, both being on the front lines. The NAACP was also involved in the Brown v. Board of Education trial at the time. Brown v. Board of Education was a trial battle where lawyer Thurgood Marshall and his colleagues fought to end segregation in different school areas, where Marshall won the decision.
The organization was formed on the idea of ending the horrifying acts of lynching, an action that was feared by many African Americans at the time. This unique group was led by Du Bois, a Pan-Africanist and Civil Rights activist who wanted African Americans to withstand racism and keep fighting together as a people. “We return from fighting. We return fighting,” Du Bois said, a statement from a novel he wrote, according to Civil Rights for Beginners, by Von Paul Blum and Frank Reynoso.
In the process to abolish lynching, the organization was trying get what the US Constitution promised through its 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, such as the ability for any person of a specific race and from a specific state to be able to vote, according to the NAACP, even though it took a very long time for African Americans in the South to actually be able to use their voting rights.
Through their acts of protesting lynching, the NAACP’s organization grew to at least 90,000 members and 300 branches. Once lynching was finally abolished, the organization started to focus on another problem that was a concern in the African American community: the inability to vote. According to History, the NAACP made its number one priority to focus on eliminating racial prejudice, and to help people of color gain the materials to fight for the right to vote, legal justice and educational and employment opportunities.
The NAACP had a very influential part in the Civil Rights Movement. Figures such as Rosa Parks and Dr. King. were a part of the organization, both being on the front lines. The NAACP was also involved in the Brown v. Board of Education trial at the time. Brown v. Board of Education was a trial battle where lawyer Thurgood Marshall and his colleagues fought to end segregation in different school areas, where Marshall won the decision.
According to Civil Rights for Beginners, The Battle of Little Rock was the first time where African American students attended an all White school. The NAACP chose nine brave students to attend Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas. Lawyers and activists within the NAACP, including Marshall, tried to make sure that the students entering the school would be safe and protected from any mobs. This event changed history for the better.
Another event that had the NAACP very involved was the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Organized by A. Phillip Randolph, the NAACP joined forces with other groups to make sure that the protest would go smoothly. After the march, the Civil Rights Act was passed, making sure that there were no discrimination against any race, gender, or person of color, as stated by History.
Today, the NAACP is now focused on different topics such as education and inequity for different groups of color. Throughout the organization’s journey, the NAACP has more than 2,200 branches and half a million members worldwide. The organization also gained respect by notable figures such as Dr. King and Malcolm Shabazz, who is also known as Malcom X.
“When you go to a church and you see the pastor of that church with a philosophy and a program that's designed to bring Black people together and elevate Black people, join that church,” Shabazz said. “Join that church. If you see where the NAACP is preaching and practicing that which is designed to make Black nationalism materialize, join the NAACP. Join any kind of organization, civic, religious, fraternal, political, or otherwise that's based on lifting Black men and women up, and making them a master of their own community.”
Black Panther Party (BPP):
Another event that had the NAACP very involved was the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Organized by A. Phillip Randolph, the NAACP joined forces with other groups to make sure that the protest would go smoothly. After the march, the Civil Rights Act was passed, making sure that there were no discrimination against any race, gender, or person of color, as stated by History.
Today, the NAACP is now focused on different topics such as education and inequity for different groups of color. Throughout the organization’s journey, the NAACP has more than 2,200 branches and half a million members worldwide. The organization also gained respect by notable figures such as Dr. King and Malcolm Shabazz, who is also known as Malcom X.
“When you go to a church and you see the pastor of that church with a philosophy and a program that's designed to bring Black people together and elevate Black people, join that church,” Shabazz said. “Join that church. If you see where the NAACP is preaching and practicing that which is designed to make Black nationalism materialize, join the NAACP. Join any kind of organization, civic, religious, fraternal, political, or otherwise that's based on lifting Black men and women up, and making them a master of their own community.”
Black Panther Party (BPP):
For all of you Bay Area fans, the Black Panther Party for Self Defense was a famous operation founded on October 15th, 1966, in Oakland, California, by Huey P. Newton, Bobby Seale, and Elbert Howard. The Oakland organization was created on ideals of defending and being a group that represents their brothers and sisters, always having the ideal mindset of not engaging unless being attacked. The organization also protested police brutality on African Americans, something that still persists today. The origins of the black panther symbol that was used by the organization came from a political party created by the Student Coordinating Nonviolent Committee (SCNC) in an African American populated area, but controlled by White authority. This political party had a black panther used for its emblem, and Newton and Seale got the idea to use it as the emblem for the Black Panther Party.
In the chapter “The Resurgence of Black Nationalism and Development of Black Power” in Civil Rights for Beginners, the Black Panther Party was a reflection of African American youth that had been ignored for periods of time. “The revolution has always been in the hands of the young,” Newton said. “The young always inherit the revolution.”
The Black Panther Party resembled a culture through their outfits. The uniform consisted of a black, leather jacket with a black panther emblem, black slacks, a blue shirt, and a beret. The organization was proud of who they were, and represented it in different ways such as embracing their natural hair.
In the chapter “The Resurgence of Black Nationalism and Development of Black Power” in Civil Rights for Beginners, the Black Panther Party was a reflection of African American youth that had been ignored for periods of time. “The revolution has always been in the hands of the young,” Newton said. “The young always inherit the revolution.”
The Black Panther Party resembled a culture through their outfits. The uniform consisted of a black, leather jacket with a black panther emblem, black slacks, a blue shirt, and a beret. The organization was proud of who they were, and represented it in different ways such as embracing their natural hair.
The Black Panther Party also created programs for African Americans, where they could have access to breakfast and learning opportunities for their children after school, something that was hard to get during the time when nice diners and funded schools were segregated, as stated by BlackPast. The BPP also created medical clinics, while also providing clothing through those clinics as well.
Later in Civil Rights for Beginners, authors Blum and Reynoso write that police harassment and brutality was a big problem in Oakland. So, some of the objectives the organization had was to patrol through Black neighborhoods to see if there was anything happening in the community so that African Americans living in those neighborhoods would be protected and safe.
Another way Newton and Seale tried to reach their objectives was through the ten-point program. The ten-point program was a list of acts the Black Panther Party had in mind in order to improve their community. Some of the demands Black people wanted were financial aid, rights such as voting, the end to police brutality, and a better educational system.
Later in Civil Rights for Beginners, authors Blum and Reynoso write that police harassment and brutality was a big problem in Oakland. So, some of the objectives the organization had was to patrol through Black neighborhoods to see if there was anything happening in the community so that African Americans living in those neighborhoods would be protected and safe.
Another way Newton and Seale tried to reach their objectives was through the ten-point program. The ten-point program was a list of acts the Black Panther Party had in mind in order to improve their community. Some of the demands Black people wanted were financial aid, rights such as voting, the end to police brutality, and a better educational system.
Sadly, according to History, in 1969, the Black Panther Party for Self Defense stopped and the organization ended. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was the main cause to the decline of the organization; the FBI saw the organization as “violent and a threat to natural society,” even though the Black Panther Party only used defensive measures, and Newton and Seale were trying to give something that was not given by the FBI: a chance to have a voice and stand behind a group that will represent you. Even though the Black Panther Party ended, the group played a crucial part in history, while also gaining support by figures such as Angela Davis and Erika Huggins. The party still lives on in Oakland and all over the world.
Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA):
Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA):
Founded by Marcus Garvey, the UNIA was a group that originated in Jamaica, which is where Garvey was born. According to PBS, when Garvey traveled back to his country, he came across an autobiography called “Up from Slavery,” by Booker T. Washington. When reading the book, Garvey pictured and envisioned the UNIA. “Where is the government for Black people?” Garvey asked himself. “Where is their King or Queen and their kingdom? Where is their President, their ambassador, their country, their people of big affairs? I could not find them. But, I will help to make them.”
Garvey and the UNIA had a different picture from other activists, such as Du Bois, to solve the problems that were happening in the Black community. Garvey had a perspective that was more cultural, economical, and psychological. The Jamaican activist even had the thought of people of African descent returning to Africa and seeing their roots, because of their ancestors being separated through the Transatlantic Slave Trade. “The UNIA teaches our race self-help and self-reliance... in all those things that contribute to human happiness and well-being,” Garvey stated.
According to Civil Rights for Beginners, Garvey gained more than a million supporters to the UNIA. Some of them were even African Americans who fought in World War I. The Black veterans found the words of Garvey emotionally liberating. Because of this, the veterans had crucial roles in the success of the UNIA.
The UNIA also boosted the pride of the Black working class. In the west, Black workers were the backbone to the UNIA, as stated by BlackPast. The organization together created a UNIA newspaper called the Negro World, which was created to inform people about stories based on African American achievements, being reported in places that don’t fully talk about African American success. The newspaper also talked about the progress of Black businesses, labor, and civil rights organizations.
Today, the UNIA is still focused on uplifting the African American community. The organization is run by former football player Cleo Miller, who makes sure that the group is helping the Black community in ways such as providing the less fortunate with housing, nutrition, education, and healthcare.
Black Student Union (BSU):
According to Civil Rights for Beginners, Garvey gained more than a million supporters to the UNIA. Some of them were even African Americans who fought in World War I. The Black veterans found the words of Garvey emotionally liberating. Because of this, the veterans had crucial roles in the success of the UNIA.
The UNIA also boosted the pride of the Black working class. In the west, Black workers were the backbone to the UNIA, as stated by BlackPast. The organization together created a UNIA newspaper called the Negro World, which was created to inform people about stories based on African American achievements, being reported in places that don’t fully talk about African American success. The newspaper also talked about the progress of Black businesses, labor, and civil rights organizations.
Today, the UNIA is still focused on uplifting the African American community. The organization is run by former football player Cleo Miller, who makes sure that the group is helping the Black community in ways such as providing the less fortunate with housing, nutrition, education, and healthcare.
Black Student Union (BSU):
Because of these amazing historical organizations, we have more groups that are focused on teaching African and African American history to students. One of the groups is actually at Oakland School for the Arts. Black Student Union, or BSU, is an organization that teaches African history from its origins all the way to current day. There are many BSU’s at different schools, each using different methods to teach Black history.
One of the Presidents of BSU at OSA is Jada White. White is an 11th grader in the Literary Arts Department. She has been active in BSU for a year and a half. As the President, White says that her leadership skills have definitely evolved over the time she has been a part of the group. “I think my ability to take criticism amongst other things, like communication and organization, have definitely improved,” White stated. “Not even from blatant obvious aspects of being a literal club leader, but also from the nooks and crannies of the job as well.”
White stated that the reason BSU is important to her is because at OSA, it can be hard to get around, making it easy to get lost and feel uncomfortable. So, it is a space where Black students at OSA can feel safe and talk to each other and learn from each other. “We share how we feel and certain issues one might not be able to share in a classroom,” White said.
When asked how she would define her role as President of BSU, White responded, “I come up with material to cover in meetings, have a critical hand in planning BSU events like the Black History Month assembly, and the Success Series, where we had a panel of Black graduates. I also act as a communications liaison with faculty.”
One of the Presidents of BSU at OSA is Jada White. White is an 11th grader in the Literary Arts Department. She has been active in BSU for a year and a half. As the President, White says that her leadership skills have definitely evolved over the time she has been a part of the group. “I think my ability to take criticism amongst other things, like communication and organization, have definitely improved,” White stated. “Not even from blatant obvious aspects of being a literal club leader, but also from the nooks and crannies of the job as well.”
White stated that the reason BSU is important to her is because at OSA, it can be hard to get around, making it easy to get lost and feel uncomfortable. So, it is a space where Black students at OSA can feel safe and talk to each other and learn from each other. “We share how we feel and certain issues one might not be able to share in a classroom,” White said.
When asked how she would define her role as President of BSU, White responded, “I come up with material to cover in meetings, have a critical hand in planning BSU events like the Black History Month assembly, and the Success Series, where we had a panel of Black graduates. I also act as a communications liaison with faculty.”
White’s favorite part about being a part of BSU is the comfort, the ability to know that she has people she can fall back on, and to be with her community in a place where she might not be able to thrive otherwise. Throughout her time with the club, White says her favorite event was a panel discussion, where Black college students talked about their time being a part of historically Black colleges and universities, or being a part of a PWI, which stands for Predominately White Institute.
“We had other schools coming and it was a great experience,” White said. “We put a lot of work into it and seeing it come out like it did was so rewarding. I learned a lot from that experience.”
White says that groups like the Black Panther Party have definitely influenced OSA’s BSU. “I definitely see myself having more radical views in terms of advancement for Black people,” White said. “In terms of BSU, though, I would say the same. I think the content we try to learn and teach is more suited around exclusive advancement for Black people.”
There are so many ways to define Black history. White defines Black history as “innovative, daring, regal, and incomprehensible.”
“Words I would describe something so big and creative,” White said. “We’ve only started to have the discussion of Black History. We’ve only scratched the surface or seen the tip of the iceberg. There is so much more to learn.”
If you would like to join the club, BSU holds their meetings on Wednesdays at 11:00 AM. Email White if you want to know more information about the group.
Different Black groups have worked very hard throughout history to make sure that future generations would have a voice. Newton and Dr. King both knew that racism was an ongoing battle, so they wanted to set a foundation for groups such as BSU to build from—a foundation that would prepare young African Americans for the future.
“We had other schools coming and it was a great experience,” White said. “We put a lot of work into it and seeing it come out like it did was so rewarding. I learned a lot from that experience.”
White says that groups like the Black Panther Party have definitely influenced OSA’s BSU. “I definitely see myself having more radical views in terms of advancement for Black people,” White said. “In terms of BSU, though, I would say the same. I think the content we try to learn and teach is more suited around exclusive advancement for Black people.”
There are so many ways to define Black history. White defines Black history as “innovative, daring, regal, and incomprehensible.”
“Words I would describe something so big and creative,” White said. “We’ve only started to have the discussion of Black History. We’ve only scratched the surface or seen the tip of the iceberg. There is so much more to learn.”
If you would like to join the club, BSU holds their meetings on Wednesdays at 11:00 AM. Email White if you want to know more information about the group.
Different Black groups have worked very hard throughout history to make sure that future generations would have a voice. Newton and Dr. King both knew that racism was an ongoing battle, so they wanted to set a foundation for groups such as BSU to build from—a foundation that would prepare young African Americans for the future.
