What was the focus of the Black Power Movement?

• A. Acquiring peace through negotiation
• B. Achieving equal rights through economic and political control
• C. Integration into the existing political framework
• D. Demanding a peaceful resolution to racial issues

Answer: (B)

The Black Power Movement primarily sought to achieve equal rights through economic and political control. Emerging in the 1960s, this movement advocated for African Americans to take charge of their own communities and promote self-reliance. Leaders of the movement emphasized pride in Black identity and culture and called for a more radical approach to combating systemic racism, often rejecting the integrationist strategies of earlier civil rights leaders.

This approach involved a focus on establishing greater political representation and autonomy, as well as addressing economic disparities faced by Black communities. The movement also sought to empower African Americans to influence policy decisions affecting their lives, thereby gaining control over their own destinies rather than relying solely on external negotiation or integration into the existing political structures. This focus on empowerment and self-determination was a significant shift in the civil rights struggle of the time.