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Educated Shoe Shiner Cartoon by Bruce Cochran, 1968

This cartoon shows a key part of the Black Power philosophy.  In having a white man asking what a clearly educated African-American wants, it is clear that African-Americans will always been seen as second class citizens.  This was one of the many reasons that there was a Black Power movement, as many African-Americans felt as if they would never truly integrate into white, mainstream America in the 1960s.  This was an idea of the nationalist faction of the Black power movement.  They felt that it would be better to separate becuase they would never be able to make decisions, or hold power, in white America.

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Waiting Rooms Cartoon by Sidney Harris, 1969

Reflected here is one of the results of Black Power.  As the door on the waiting room suggests, African-Americans now embraced calling themselves Black rather than Negro.  The word "Negro" was considered a tie to the time of slavery and to it was a slave name given by the white man.  In embracing being called Black, it showed that black was more than just the color of their skin- it was their culture.

This cartoon also shows, however, exactly why many in the Black Power movement were a part of the nationalist movement.  Although the name on the door may reflect the times, the fact that there are still two doors does not.  Once again this shows that the though was that African-Americans will never truly be welcome in white America.

There is a bit of hope here, however.  The fact that the visiting man is not pleased about the segregated waiting rooms is an indication that at least some white Americans are willing to see African-Americans as thier equals.

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"Playboy After Dark" Advertisement, 1970

On the television show Playboy After Dark, the audience felt as if they were in Hugh Hefner's penthouse attending one of his parties where guests just so happened to break into song, dance, and comedy routines.  Like his previous television show Playboy's Penthouse, which had aired a decade earlier, this 1969-1970 program was completely integrated.  Hefner has even said that the feel of the show, being at a party hosted by Hefner, is about the feel you would get going to a real party in Hefner's Chicago Playboy Mansion.  As pictured and named in the ad, Bill Cosby may have performed on the bass or done a comedy routine, while Sammy Davis Jr.'s performance could be followed by Sonny and Cher.  James Brown even performed the Black Power anthem "Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud" in 1969, while white playmates sang the chorus right along with him.  In reflecting Hefner's home for the American people to see, Playboy After Dark showed that Hefner did live the Philosophy he preached.

Black Power in American Culture
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