Black Nationalism

Abstract

Black nationalism has been one of the most mili tant and strident protest movements in the Afro-American com munity since the early nineteenth century. In its earliest mani festations, political nationalism sought to separate black people from the United States; economic nationalism sought to break down racial barriers through developing economic strength in the black community; while cultural nationalism sought the same goal through the development of racial solidarity and black consciousness. The various strands were brought to gether into an integral form of nationalism by Marcus Garvey after World War I. The Nation of Islam continued the empha sis on integral nationalism under the leadership of Elijah Mu hammad but added a significant religious component. Con temporary trends in black nationalism reflect the profound influence of the late El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz. Political na tionalism has been expanded to include a new and unique em phasis upon land, as well as emphasis upon self-determination for black communities and accountability of black leaders. The growing strength of cultural nationalism is seen in the new manifestations of black consciousness. The nature of the cur rent trends indicate that black people see themselves as part of the American society even though they feel very much sepa rated from it. Future trends in black nationalism may be sig nificantly affected by the most persistent racial barrier in America—the color line.