Black Nationalism History

Throughout history, black nationalism redefined the racial qualities of the African-American national identity. The two main principles of black nationalism are unity and independence from the old "White" society.

Beginnings

According to historian Floyd Miller, the concept of black nationalism began with a writer named Lewis Woodson, who used the pen name "Augustine" and published a series of articles and letters in the "Colored American" newspaper between 1837 and 1841.

Garveyism

In the early 20th century,the concept of Garveyism gave rise to a major movement in black nationalism. Originated by Marcus Garvey the theory promoted self-reliance within the black community. With the founding of the "Negro World" newspaper, he became famous for promoting the idea of the United States of Africa.

Black Muslims

During the 1950s and 1960s, a number of leaders also promoted black nationalism-most notably, Malcolm X and his community-based movement of black Muslims.

Post-Colonial Movement

At this same time, a number of writers and philosophers promoted the concepts of colonial subjugation in history, like Frantz Fanon's "Black Skin, White Mask."

Black Power

The Black Power movement signaled the end of the civil rights fight and the birth of a new fight against racism, helping to establish a new appreciation of African-American culture as a distinct part of the American experience.

References

• Reactionary Black Nationalism
• Black Nationalism and Black Power
• Garveyism and African Racial Reconstruction

Resources

• Malcolm X Explains Black Nationalism
• Black Nationalism on Campus