The quest for freedom and self-determination has been at the forefront of Black political discourse for over a century. Self-determination means having the opportunity to make decisions for yourself, which is one of the most important aspects of freedom. In the case of Black communities, the idea of self-determination means being able to control institutions that serve us, like schools, local businesses and community organizations, as well as having a say in how we are governed. It means being able to freely vote, thereby choosing leaders who will represent our own best interests rather than perpetuating our oppression. It means being able to own land, and having the resources to create social structures and programs that would be in the best interest of Black people.
There is often a tension between the concepts of integration and self-determination. The civil rights movement of the 1950s and early 1960s was largely focused on integration. Student activists, religious communities, and other protesters banded together to demonstrate and protest unjust segregation laws, with mixed success. A movement which was defined by nonviolent protest was consistently met with violent backlash from those who wanted to see racism remain enshrined in law. By the mid-1960s, protestors had grown increasingly frustrated with the slow rate of change, and with the necessity of continuing to protest, beg, and hope for the powers that be to enact the changes they sought. Spokespeople of the Black Power movement began to wonder: Why must we wait for white people to make equality for us, and give us opportunities? Why can’t we take matters into our own hands and try to provide Black communities with the things they need?
These were not new questions within Black America, but they took on a new urgency as Black Power organizations like the Black Panthers began to arm themselves in defense of their people. They did not simply envision but began to actually enact programs that brought self-determination to Black communities.
