Early Years
Kwame Toure (1941-1998), formerly known as Stokely Carmichael, was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. His family immigrated to the United States in 1952, settling in Harlem, New York. Toure was a civil rights activist, leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, and prominent Black Panther. He was a major figure of the Black Power Movement and is remembered for leading the movement to reclaim the term "Black" in place of "Negro" and popularising the slogan "Black Power."
Quote: “We must start focusing on our history, our tradition, our culture, and our future.” – Kwame Ture
Personal Life
Kwame Toure married Miriam Makeba, a South African singer/activist, in 1968. The couple separated in 1973 and divorced in 1979. Toure then married South African doctor Joyce Brown. He later adopted the name Kwame Toure, in honor of the Ghanaian president Kwame Nkrumah. He had two children: a son, Ahi Toure, and a daughter, Ayaba Toure.
Influences
The major influences on Kwame Toure's life and work include:
- The civil rights movement
- The Black Power Movement
- The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee
- The Black Panther Party
- Pan-Africanism
- African-American political thought
Career
Toure's 1965 speech "What We Want" helped to shift the civil rights movement towards the more radical Black Power Movement.
Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee
The Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) was a civil rights organization that was formed in 1960 to work for the rights of African Americans. The organization was founded by a group of students who had participated in the sit-in demonstrations against segregation in the South. SNCC played a major role in the civil rights movement, advocating for voting rights, civil rights, and an end to segregation. The organization was led by a number of influential figures, including Kwame Toure, who served as the honorary Prime Minister from 1969-1970. SNCC was instrumental in the development of the Black Power movement and the advancement of African-American civil rights.
Stokley and the Panthers
The Black Panther Party was founded in 1966 by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale in Oakland, California. The organization was formed to promote self-defense and empowerment within the African-American community, and to fight for civil rights and social justice. Kwame Toure, formerly known as Stokely Carmichael, was a prominent leader of the Black Panther Party and served as the Honorary Prime Minister from 1969 to 1970. During this time, he was a powerful advocate for the organization's causes, and helped to shape the Black Power Movement. He also wrote the book Black Power: The Politics of Liberation, which helped to further advance the cause of civil rights. Toure's legacy is an inspiration to those who fight for social justice and civil rights.
He was a founding member of the All-African People's Revolutionary Party. He was a major influence in the development of African-American political thought and helped to shape the Black Power Movement.
Books
Kwame Toure wrote the following books:
- Black Power: The Politics of Liberation (1970)
- Ready for Revolution (2003)
- Stokely Speaks: From Black Power to Pan-Africanism (1971)
Conclusion
Kwame Toure was a passionate and articulate advocate for the African-American community. He was a powerful speaker and a compelling writer. He was a leader who inspired and empowered others to fight for the rights and recognition of African-Americans. He was an intelligent and creative thinker who embraced Pan-Africanism and was a major influence in the development of African-American political thought.
