He and other freedom riders were subjected to white mob violence and repeatedly arrested. He would credit “stepladder speakers,” orators who spoke in Harlem corners about the oppression of African-Americans, as an inspiration for his public speaking skills.Ĭarmichael began his political activism at 19, taking part in the so-called “Freedom Rides” to challenge segregation in interstate buses and stations.

Civil rights and beyondīorn in Trinidad, Stokely joined his parents in the US aged 11, living in Harlem and later the Bronx.

An equally gifted political organizer and orator, with charisma and wit to sell, he introduced the concept of “Black Power” into public discourse in the late 1960s. Later known as Kwame Ture, Carmichael is one of the outstanding figures of the Black liberation movement in the United States. Stokely Carmichael was born on June 27, 1941. What we gonna start saying now is Black Power.” (1) We’ve been saying ‘Freedom’ for six years and we ain’t got nothin’. The only way we gonna stop them white men from whupping us is to take over.

Stokely carmichael black power speech