19th Century Alternatives of Black Leaders
In late 19th century America, black leaders proposed alternatives that were intended to liberate the blacks from the oppression of slavery that they had endured since coming to this country. The Civil War had given rise to legislation that supported the freedom of blacks, such as the Emancipation Proclamation, the Civil Rights Act of 1866, the Compromise of 1877, and the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the Constitution (Anderson). However, the black population was still in a state of flux and not certain which way to turn.
One alternative proposed by black leaders was what was termed ôblack communism.ö This was an alternative communism that ôdefined and embraced the ôNew Negro,ö who had a self-concept and self-determination (Anderson). This alternative eventually failed through lost focus but during the movement brought forth class versus race issues and international versus national issues (Anderson). The blacks forged an identity through revolution and defined a culture through activism, the spirit of which still survives today in militant black movements (Anderson). It influenced black politics, art, music, and literature, and provided opportunity, security, and a temporary but short-lived unity for blacks (Anderson). I would reject this alternative, because as history has shown, it has had a deleterious effect on both the black population and its perception by whites. The militant aspects of it produced distrust among whites and focused the black population on discontent rather than on growth and renewal. It was a negative influence and failed to support true freedom for blacks.
Another alternative was the ôBack to Africaö movement proposed by black leader Martin Delaney and later continued in the 20th century by Marcus Garvey and Father Divine (Foer). This movement argued that the literal return to Africa was the only option for blacks, because ôwhite supre...