The Politics of Religious Black Nationalism: A Chronicle of the Missing Years 1930-1950
Abstract
Within the field of study concerning 20th century Black Nationalist movements in the United States scholars and historians have primarily focused on two aspects of the movement: The Marcus Garvey era of the early twentieth century and the Black Power movement of the tumultuous 1960s and early 1970s. In regards to the decades in between, the 30s, 40s and the 50s, scholars have been in comparison relatively silent. While at first glance, it may appear that nationalist movements were dormant during these years, the research will show evidence to the contrary. The project establishes that during the 30 year period between Marcus Garvey and the UNIA and the Black Radicalism period of the 1960s, the Black Nationalist movement was expanding and evolving under the leadership of Religious Black Nationalist organizations.
The research focuses on the ideologies, activities, and the political transformations in Black Nationalism that occurred within the following Religious Black Nationalist organizations: the Black Hebrew Israelites, the Father Divine Movement, and the Nation of Islam. These groups combined different expressions of the Black Nationalism. To varying degrees the Black Hebrew Israelites, Father Divine, and the Nation of Islam incorporated Black Nationalist elements into their spiritual messages. The research finds that these Religious Black Nationalist organizations were the forefathers of the Black Power organizations that were prevalent in the 1960s. These groups provided models to the next generation for mobilization, spreading their message, setting up economic foundations for their movements, and perhaps most importantly organizing politically within a system that did not recognize them.
Notes
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Thesis Completion
2007
Semester
Spring
Advisor
Young, Kurt B.
Degree
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
College
College of Sciences
Degree Program
Political Science
Subjects
Dissertations, Academic -- Sciences; Sciences -- Dissertations, Academic
Format
Identifier
DP0022156
Language
English
Access Status
Open Access
Length of Campus-only Access
None
Document Type
Honors in the Major Thesis
Recommended Citation
Griffin, Kamyle, "The Politics of Religious Black Nationalism: A Chronicle of the Missing Years 1930-1950" (2007). HIM 1990-2015. 639.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/honorstheses1990-2015/639