Boo review of Ogbar's - Book Report/Review Example

The author addresses two key issues. He first tackles the issue concerning the South’s civil rights movement and other movements in the Northern and Western regions of the United States. He also focuses on the survival of nationalism after the emergence of the Black Power movement in the 1960s. Assessment Black Panther party was a radical movement party whose ideology on racial discrimination was rhetorical because it encouraged racism against other cultures. It recruited the underclass and did not seek to reform them.

This was a liability to the organization because the members were not disciplined. Its approach on ethnic nationalism was very influential to other organized movements comprising the west coast, Native Americans, Mexican Americans, and others. With their Marxist viewpoint, they believed that by transforming the political economy, true freedom was achievable. The influence of this organization was not widespread until the appearance of Malcolm X. The charismatic Malcolm X transformed a race that struggled with self-hate.

Their message of “pragmatic resistance, frugality, and cultural regeneration” paved the way for Black Nationalism (Ogbar 32). It seems awkward that Ogbar seems to give a lot of undue attention to NOI, which is a Black Nationalist organization. Ogbar cites that NOI asserted its influence against white supremacy by highlighting its disgust towards some African- American cultural practices. It adopted several symbols used by the whites. Most members of NOI were former convicts whom they tried to reform.

Their mode of operation did not include any form of activism. Their main agenda was separation from and not acceptance. This lack of activism caused several members of NOI to enter into organizations that were action influenced. In his defense, he cites that Malcolm X, an emergent of NOI was the biggest influence to almost all the advocates of black power. Ogbar refers to him as “the patron saint” of black power. He also states that most of the militants involved in the black power movement were formerly members of NOI or regular worshippers at NOI mosques.

He argues that NOI was responsible in creating a, “language and culture of self-determination, black support for black enterprise and a mass black culture” (Ogbar 65). The author tackles the impact of white America culture as seen in the black power movements. The Nation of Islam together with Black Panther Party was the pioneer of self-determination and independence. However, their speeches were retrogressive to the black culture. They used violent language and acts during this revolutionary war.

They fought for equality in civil rights, housing, employment, and education (Ogbar 74). The black power movement contributed greatly to black politics. It led to a crisis in institutions making people to call for leaders whose focus was against civil oppression. This resulted in renewal of policies by making them democratic and non-racist. The movement led to the emergence of other processes such as feminism and environmental issues. The movement generated pride among the African Americans descent.

It boosted the esteem of the blacks and enabled them to love who they are (Tyson 123). The author tries to assimilate the black history with politics, culture, and the economy. The psychological message from Black Power movements made it difficult to accept western civilization. This movement denounced everything that was created by the western