Carmichael wanted the black-controlled community to act
for the benefit of all blacks and not merely for the advantage of a
handful of exploiting black capitalists.
What he advocated was the development of black cooperatives, not the
building of black capitalism. He referred to this new political system
as "political modernization." Its key was community, cooperative
control of all the important things in people's lives. In addition to
building a more participatory kind of democratic government, and
developing cooperative enterprises, it meant that people renting
houses or apartments must have rights and protection. He encouraged
consumers and apartment dwellers to develop organizations which could
fight for their special interests. He also wanted the community to
gain local control of its police force.
The black power ideology spread across the nation rapidly, providing
the movement with fresh impetus and a philosophical framework. Many
had lost faith in the effectiveness of marches, demonstrations,
appeals to white consciences and other direct action techniques. Black
Americans were also growing weary and frustrated over the amount of
violence which was being heaped upon nonviolent resisters.
Pages:
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418