The Impact Of The Black Conscious Movement

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Recommended: History of the impact of apartheid on the lives of South Africans

For years, the struggle for civil rights within the black community was considered one of the most challenging social movements in the United States, with a main goal being to end racial segregation and discrimination. Many would argue that this movement would not have been possible without the leadership of the African National Congress (ANC) members. In an attempt to try to limit the voice of these powerful leaders, they were sentenced to jail in the year of 1962 for acts of sabotage. This further leads to the question, to what extent was the South African Government successful in limiting the influence of the ANC. While the ANC leaders were faced with the struggle of their imprisonment, it is evident through their followers, news articles, …show more content…

The effect that the leaders had on the community was so influential that in the late 1960’s, South Africa began to witness the beginning of the Black Conscious movement. This movement was initiated by Black students led by Steve Biko. The PBS website explains, “This new generation of activists, working with the Black Trade Unions, would dominate the resistance movement in the 1970s and 1980s. In addition to the mobilization of Blacks, there were many other individuals and groups that were actively resisting Apartheid. In response to and in spite of resistance efforts, the apartheid system grew stronger and its grip was extended over all aspects of life” (Bloom, 1995). The Black Conscious movement was formed to show the governments that they are proud of who they are, and that they have a defined history different of that of whites. The main goal was to make clear that they will no longer be judged according to their appearance. Overall, the black conscious movement was created to break “white liberalism”. This group gives great merit to the influence the ANC leaders because it was formed by the …show more content…

Mbeki begins to explain, “Today we look at our world and realize South Africa has become a hugely damaged society. Its mining industry has founded on the destruction of peasant agriculture and the conversion of the male peasant farmer into a migrant worker. This devastated the African family in South Africa. Also, for several centuries parts of South Africa depended on slavery. The consequences of slavery are still with us today, particularly among the coloured

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