ebooks Waiting 'Til the Midnight Hour: A Narrative History of Black Power in America by Peniel E. Joseph in History

Review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. This was a good bookBy Khadejha BrunnerI had to read this book for my African American Class and It gives a different perspective on the black power movement. I agree that “Waiting Til The Midnight Hour” by Peniel E. Joseh challenges narrow and binary depictions of the black struggle for equality. Most specifically; the book contradictions long standing assumptions that a northern; sometimes violent Black Power Movements. Throughout history we were told that for a number of different reasons Abraham Lincoln abolished slavery through the Emancipation Proclamation. Eventually; this was followed by Jim Crow segregation and "separate but equal" laws. Various African-Americans engaged in the civil-rights struggle; and risk their lives for the cause. The Civil-Rights Era coincided with and/or encompassed an age of general period of civil disobedience which included Vietnam War protests; Labor Union unrest and a continuing feminism movement. A number of solid victories came from the Civil Rights Era; namely; Brown v. Board of Education and the Voting Rights Act. Also; a number of iconic figures; and moments; emerged from this era; namely; Rosa Parks (and the Montgomery Bus Boycott); and Martin Luther King Jr. (and the March on Washington). Then these radical crazy kids came along; toting guns in San Francisco and following around cops in Oakland. Stokely Carmichael shouted "Black Power!!" at a March against Fear in Mississippi in 1966. Olympic Medalists Tommie Smith and John Carlos gave Black Power salutes on the medal stand at the 1968 Olympics. In the 60 Minutes special; "The Hate That Hate Produced"; Mike Wallace told America that a huge group of very angry Muslims were proliferating in New York; and Malcolm X was the head nut. All of a sudden; crazy radicals replaced the politics of integration; non-violent protest and collaboration with that of aggressive "black self-esteem" and revolutionary rhetoric. As a result; these excesses dragged everything down; precipitating a Civil Rights decline. This; coupled with a conservative backlash; continues negatively to affect the lives of African-Americans today. The author shows that this narrative was far from the whole truth by examining the Black Power Movement as a legitimate movement separate and distinct from the Civil Rights Movement. His book demonstrates the continuing influence of Black Power; while remaining cognizant of the flaws of its leaders. The book places Black Power within a global context; showing that Black Power was about more than the Black Panthers and the Nation of Islam. He writes about 1955 Afro-Asian Conference in Bandung and Catros's trip to New York in 1960; when he made a point of meeting with Malcolm X. The author talks about the stars of this period such as Malcolm X; Huey P. Newton and Stokely Carmichael. In fact; this book makes clear that Stokely Carmichael is such a seminal figure to Black Power Movement. The author also tells the stories of lesser known figures such as William Worthy; Robert Williams; Albert Cleage; Amiri Baraka and Sonia Sanchez. He argues persuasively that Lorraine Hansberry's; "A Raisin In the Sun" is actually a radical play. He identifies the radical roots of King and he disseminates what Baraka meant in his essay; "Black Is a Country.”If you love reading about African American History then this will be a great read for you.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Black Power!By Cole"Waiting Til the Midnight Hour" is an excellent book. Well written and thorough. Just because you lived through an era; does not mean that you have a comprehensive view of it; or that you fully understand it. Great title too.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy R. B. DaytonaExcellent and interesting examination of the Black power movement.