The Power of Social Action throughout Black History

Inspired by February’s focus on Black History, in this article I wanted to focus on the impact that historical black figures had in cultivating change in their communities and around the world through social action. When reading these summaries, I encourage you to reflect on the power seen in social action, it transforms the world by encouraging positive change. It is when we use our voice to speak mindfully about issues that matter to us that we become change-makers by default. Using your voice helps social issues come into the consciousness of the minds of those around us.

Fred Hampton

Hampton was born and raised in Chicago. He was a student at Triton Junior College where he studied law. During college, he became an activist in the Civil Rights movement. He did a lot of community-based work in Chicago. After joining the black panther party, he established community service programs like the free breakfast for school children. He also used his influence to establish the rainbow coalition, an alliance between Chicago gangs to end violence against each other. In 1969 the FBI brutally assassinated Hampton in his home. His bodyguard, William O’Neal, was exposed as a spy for the FBI. O’Neal provided information about the layout of Hampton’s apartment; the details included an X where Hampton’s bed was.

Quote: “We’ve got to face the fact that some people say you fight fire best with fire, but we say you put fire out best with water. We say you don’t fight racism with racism. We’re gonna fight racism with solidarity.” ~ Fred Hampton

Maya Angelou

Maya was born in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1970 she wrote “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” a book that details the trauma she faced as a child. She was vocal about her struggles with poverty, racism, and sexual abuse. Despite the obstacles Maya Angelou faced in her life she became a very successful writer. Maya wrote 36 books in her lifetime, won a few Grammys, and multiple awards. She was a poet, civil rights activist, educator, producer, actress, and so much more. Her work was influenced by her passion for advocacy which was directed at women, young adults, and those who faced injustice. Maya even worked alongside Dr. King in the 1960s helping him organize the Poor People’s March before he was assassinated on her 40th birthday.

Quote: “The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise.” ~ Maya Angelou

Angela Davis

Davis was born on January 26, 1944. She is an activist, educator, and author whose work is focused on racial justice, women’s rights, and criminal justice reform. She was highly influential during the civil rights movement and fought for the liberation of black people. She used her voice to stand up against police brutality and has spent much of her life advocating for prison reform and other social issues. She was once on the FBI’s most wanted list for murder allegations and spent more than a year in jail before she was released. It was during her time in prison that she grew impassioned to fight against the prison system. Her impact on communities carries on today as she teaches at the University of California in Santa Cruz where she continues to fight against racism, sexism, and incarceration.

Quote: “I believe profoundly in the possibilities of democracy, but democracy needs to be emancipated from capitalism. As long as we inhabit a capitalist democracy, a future of racial equality, gender equality, economic equality will elude us.” ~ Angela Davis

James Baldwin

James Baldwin was born in New York in 1924 where he faced the hardships of poverty and was discriminated against. This caused Baldwin to move to Paris, France in 1948 to escape homophobia and racism. He was a writer who wrote many novels that were highly influential such as, “Go Tell It on The Mountain.” In 1957 he returned during the Civil Rights Movement to raise awareness of the racial injustice and sexual oppression occurring in America. Baldwin did not want to become a leader, but his works proved him to be a cultivator of change that has allowed people to explore issues like race and sexuality. His writings are still used today to help educate and reflect on social issues.

Quote: “The paradox of education is precisely this—that as one begins to become conscious one begins to examine the society in which he is being educated.” ~ James Baldwin

Credits:

The photos published in this article were taken by Jazmin Norris in collaboration with TLU’s Black Student Union members. The models are: