Although the term “black power” is well known today, many people don’t know it was first brought into popular use by civil rights leader Stokely Carmichael at a rally in Broad Street Park in Greenwood on June 16, 1966.
At 10:30 a.m. Monday, a Mississippi Freedom Trail marker will be unveiled at the park to commemorate the event.
The unveiling is free and open to the public.
State Sen. David Jordan, D-Greenwood, said the installation of the marker is important step in recognizing Greenwood’s role — both good and bad — in the struggle for civil rights for African-Americans.
“It’s a role in American history that a lot of young people don’t know about. They can look at that marker and warm their hearts when nights grow cold,” he said.
The term “black power” had been used previously, but its popularity grew after the rally, thanks in large part to national media coverage, said Allan Hammons, chief executive officer of Hammons & Associates.
On June 5, 1966, James Meredith began his one-man March Against Fear from Memphis to Jackson to protest racism. He was wounded by a sniper near Hernando.
When word of Meredith’s wounding got out, civil rights groups such as the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, and more moderate groups such as the NAACP and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, decided to continue Meredith’s march.
Carmichael served as the chairman of SNCC.
Others who joined the march included Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Dick Gregory, Jordan said.
When the group arrived in Greenwood, Carmichael disobeyed city orders by putting up tents to house the marchers. For that, he was arrested for the 27th time.
Jordan described Greenwood was a “hot spot” of racial strife, following the killings of Emmett Till in 1955 and state NAACP leader Medgar Evers in 1963.
“Greenwood may have been the second hottest spot in the state after Jackson,” he said.
Upon his release, Carmichael spoke to a crowd of about 600 in Broad Street Park and said “We want black power!” five times.
He called for “black people in this country to unite, to recognize their heritage, and to build a sense of community.”
The term energized some but also created a schism between SNCC and other more traditional civil rights groups such as NAACP and the SCLC, led by King. King publicly criticized the phrase.
According to Jordan, King’s fear was the term would “infuriate” and was “counterproductive to what he was trying to do.” Carmichael’s faction had a different view on advancing civil rights, he said.
Hammons said this the 10th Freedom Trail marker in the state. Another 25 markers are scheduled to be placed this year.
• Contact Bob Darden at 581-7239 or bdarden@gwcommonwealth.com.
