Black Power and the American Myth facts for kids
Black Power and the American Myth is an important book from 1970 written by C. T. Vivian. It helps us understand the Civil Rights Movement, which was a big effort to gain equal rights for all people in America.
C. T. Vivian was a key leader and activist during this time. He worked closely with Martin Luther King Jr. and other important figures in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). Because he was part of the SCLC's main team, his book gives us a special look into what the leaders of the movement were thinking and why they did what they did. He was one of the first people from Dr. King's inner circle to write a book about their experiences.
How Dr. King Changed Minds
C. T. Vivian believed that Martin Luther King Jr. played a huge role in changing how white Americans saw the need for equal rights for African Americans.
Vivian wrote that Dr. King helped people see the fight for equality not just as an economic issue, but as a moral and spiritual one. This way of thinking helped the nation's conscience wake up and pay attention to the movement.
Goals of the Movement
Vivian also shared how the leaders of the Civil Rights Movement decided on their main goals and plans. They had five key goals when they first started planning:
- They wanted to create a better situation within the Black community itself.
- They aimed to include the Black middle class in the fight for rights.
- They hoped to bring about big changes in the values of the entire nation.
- They wanted to start a new way of taking action: non-violence.
- They were determined to go all the way and not give up halfway through their struggle.
The Book's Success
After it was published in 1970, Black Power and the American Myth became very popular. It was chosen as an Ebony Book Club selection and became a bestseller, meaning many people bought and read it.
