Where Do We Go From Here

Content Warning: This section discusses racism and the traumatic impact of enslavement.

After the shooting of James Meredith, the organizer of the 1966 March Against Fear, rage dominated the Black community. King suggested that he and other activists, including Stokely Carmichael, a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, would march in Meredith’s place. During the event, King and Carmichael debated about nonviolent resistance as young activists contested the practice. King realized the “bitterness” among them. As racial violence against Black people continued, nonviolence was put into question. The younger activists argued that self-defense was necessary for the march. King believed that it would harm the movement because any violence would be used against them by the white community. Carmichael also supported Black people’s participation in the march and contested the role of whites. King wonders about Carmichael’s political shift.

Responding to Carmichael, King emphasizes unity. He contends that “racial understanding,” a harmonious and happy coexistence, must be created. Hence, he supports interracial collaboration. Debates continued and during the march, Carmichael proclaimed the necessity of Black power in his speech. King was hesitant about its use as a slogan, afraid of its negative connotations of violence.