Carmichael Analysis

Rhetorical vs. historical context: Stewart's Account of Stokely Carmichael's "Black Power"

Historical Context

• "As the movement spread...riots and demonstrations in northern cities between July 18 and September 7, 1964" (pg. 490)
• References dates and places in history that are examples of the change in attitude away from 'passive, nonviolent, civil disobedience' toward something new
• "Three weeks after the march, racists bombed the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church..."
• Providing historical example of increased violence following a peaceful protest

Rhetorical Context

• "...appearance and dress, in contrast to older movement leaders, exuded charisma with younger audiences he spoke to most often." (pg. 493)
• He would change his dress depending on the audience that he was adressing to be more impactful. 
• "Carmichael was a master of adapting language and materials to each audience" (pg. 493)
• He would change his speech depending on the audience that he was addressing, referencing scholarly articles when speaking to white college students or speak in a Southern accent when speaking to black communities who had not attended a university
• "Observers began to detect a 'new militance'..." (pg. 490)
• There was an increase in violence and organization of that violence in the South following the march in Washington and produced no apparent change
• "Carmichael created a symbolic realignment by replacing words such as Negro, Negro people, ghetto, segregation and integration with black, black masses, colony, colonialism and liberation..." (pg. 496)
• He changed the words that he would use to better suit his purpose