In Struggle: SNCC and the Black Awakening of the 1960s, Issue 2Harvard University Press, 1981 - 359 pages With its radical ideology and effective tactics, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) was the cutting edge of the civil rights movement during the 1960s. This sympathetic yet even-handed book records for the first time the complete story of SNCC's evolution, of its successes and its difficulties in the ongoing struggle to end white repression. At its birth, SNCC was composed of black college students who shared an ideology of moral radicalism. This ideology, with its emphasis on nonviolence, challenged Southern segregation. SNCC students were the earliest civil rights fighters of the Second Reconstruction. They conducted sit-ins at lunch counters, spearheaded the freedom rides, and organized voter registration, which shook white complacency and awakened black political consciousness. In the process, Carson shows, SNCC changed from a group that endorsed white middle-class values to one that questioned the basic assumptions of liberal ideology and raised the fist for black power. Indeed, SNCC's radical and penetrating analysis of the American power structure reached beyond the black community to help spark wider social protests of the 1960s, such as the anti-Vietnam War movement. Carson's history of SNCC goes behind the scene to determine why the group's ideological evolution was accompanied by bitter power struggles within the organization. Using interviews, transcripts of meetings, unpublished position papers, and recently released FBI documents, he reveals how a radical group is subject to enormous, often divisive pressures as it fights the difficult battle for social change. |
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Page 90
... demonstrations against seg- regated theaters in Knoxville which resulted in about 150 arrests . Other SNCC workers were prominently involved in demonstrations in Pine Bluff , Gadsden ( Alabama ) , Atlanta , Greensboro , Raleigh ...
... demonstrations against seg- regated theaters in Knoxville which resulted in about 150 arrests . Other SNCC workers were prominently involved in demonstrations in Pine Bluff , Gadsden ( Alabama ) , Atlanta , Greensboro , Raleigh ...
Page 92
... demonstrations until there were " definite signs of progress . It would be very dangerous if we did , because it would lead to violence . Demonstrations will continue regardless , but if the Negro leaders attempted to halt them before ...
... demonstrations until there were " definite signs of progress . It would be very dangerous if we did , because it would lead to violence . Demonstrations will continue regardless , but if the Negro leaders attempted to halt them before ...
Page 160
... demonstrations . One of the ministers , the Rever- end James Reeb , died a few days later . In sharp contrast to the ... demonstrations , he could not resist the opportunity to “ radicalize the students " and the Montgomery ...
... demonstrations . One of the ministers , the Rever- end James Reeb , died a few days later . In sharp contrast to the ... demonstrations , he could not resist the opportunity to “ radicalize the students " and the Montgomery ...
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In Struggle: SNCC and the Black Awakening of the 1960s, With a New ... Clayborne Carson Limited preview - 1995 |
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accepted action activists activities Albany American arrested Atlanta attempt became become began believed black power Brown called Carmichael charged City civil rights Cleveland Committee conference continued County criticisms delegates demonstrations direct discussions early efforts established experiences expressed federal field force Forman freedom gain goals going House ideas important initial interview involved issue jail John joined June King later leaders leadership Lewis liberal meeting MFDP militancy Mississippi Moses move movement Nashville Negro nonviolent northern organization participation party police political position problems programs Project protest racial radical registration remained Report representatives residents responsible result Revolutionaries role Sellers Sherrod sit-in SNCC staff SNCC workers SNCC's social South southern spring staff members statement struggle summer tion United University urban violence volunteers vote voter Washington World York young