233k views
1 vote
Why did Stokely Carmichael leave SNCC?

User Tvl
by
7.5k points

1 Answer

2 votes

Final answer:

Stokely Carmichael left the SNCC due to his evolving political philosophy towards Black Power, self-reliance, and Black nationalism which led him to support the restriction of SNCC membership to African Americans only, and eventually join the Black Panther Party.

Step-by-step explanation:

Stokely Carmichael became critical of the nonviolent sit-ins and the strategy of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) leading up to his election as leader. Aligned with the militant and self-reliant sentiments of the Black Power movement, Carmichael's views diverged from the SNCC's original aims. The culmination of this was during the March Against Fear in 1966, where after his arrest and the subsequent SNCC protest, he emphatically declared the need for African Americans to stop begging and start taking the respect and power they deserved. His support for restricting SNCC membership to African Americans was a reflection of his belief in Black empowerment and separatism, drawing inspiration from leaders like Malcolm X and Marcus Garvey. Critiques of nonviolent protest methods, a call for Black self-reliance, and a shift towards Black nationalism led to a natural rift within the organization. Consequently, his leadership led to the expulsion of white members from SNCC, and by 1967, Carmichael left SNCC to join the Black Panther Party, which closely aligned with his emerging political philosophy.

User Nicol Bolas
by
8.2k points