The History of African American

Learn the History of the African American People!

In the history of African Americans in this country, there have been some tremendous movements and images that seem to capture the mood of the country and the black community at that time.  

And this one phrase “black power” is without a doubt one of the most simple and elegant statements of pride and unity in the black community.  But it was also a phrase that came to represent the more violent and objectionable side of the struggle for equality in the black community.  And that makes it a controversial phrase then and now.

Probably the greatest image of black power is the strong hand of a black man, clenched in a black glove and raised in the air in defiance and pride.  Never has that salute been used so perfectly as it was at the 1968 Olympics when Tommy Smith and John Carlos raised the black power fist complete with black glove as they received their medals for their performances at those Olympic Games.

The phrase “black power” was not coined in a march or riot as might be implied.  It was actually created by Robert Williams, the head of the NAACP in the early sixties.  Learn more inside…