Several power movements stemmed from political, legislative, and societal issues that came about during social movements. Several people felt like the outcomes of social movements were not what the groups hoped for; and also many power movements had motivation to make positive change towards their group that was being negatively impacted or harmed due to their identity differences. A term called “identity politics describes political movements or actions intended to further the interest of a particular group, based on culture, race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, or sexual orientation” (Khan Academy, 1). Many of these groups share similar issues. They were subgroups that were discriminated against, treated poorly, and suffered struggles within their society. Some groups that formed were the Red Power Movement, Black Power Movement, Black Panther Party, part of the LGBTQ community, or women. These groups faced barriers due to their identity. “These groups, whose aims and tactics posed a challenge to the existing state of affairs, often met with hostility from individuals, local officials, and the US government” (Khan Academy, 1). Many of these groups focused on their smaller subgroups to help create a positive change for things like their culture, religion, sexual orientation, and gender.
Women power movements for example fought against discrimination they faced. Activists in this group “produced huge results in the early 1970s. Title IX banned gender discrimination in most educational institutions. Domestic violence centers and rape crisis hotlines won public funding. Employers began to address sexual harassment” (JSTOR Daily, 1). Other groups that created movements were seeking change against the government and looking for equality. “Black power emphasized black self-reliance and self-determination more than integration. Proponents believed African Americans should secure their human rights by creating political and cultural organizations that served their interests” (Nmaahc, 1). Like other groups, African Americans and women were tired of the mistreatment because of their identities and their power movements became more radical to fight against society, the government, and the ideas of the time so that they could find a place where they belonged and could be themselves.
Work Cited:
JSTOR DAILY. What Was Women’s Liberation? - JSTOR DAILY, daily.jstor.org/what-was-womens-liberation/. Accessed 1 May 2025.
Khan Academy, Khan Academy, www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-history/postwarera/1970s-america/a/liberation-movements-1970s. Accessed 1 May 2025.
The Foundations of Black Power | National Museum of African American History and Culture, nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/foundations-black-power. Accessed 1 May 2025.
Women power movements for example fought against discrimination they faced. Activists in this group “produced huge results in the early 1970s. Title IX banned gender discrimination in most educational institutions. Domestic violence centers and rape crisis hotlines won public funding. Employers began to address sexual harassment” (JSTOR Daily, 1). Other groups that created movements were seeking change against the government and looking for equality. “Black power emphasized black self-reliance and self-determination more than integration. Proponents believed African Americans should secure their human rights by creating political and cultural organizations that served their interests” (Nmaahc, 1). Like other groups, African Americans and women were tired of the mistreatment because of their identities and their power movements became more radical to fight against society, the government, and the ideas of the time so that they could find a place where they belonged and could be themselves.
Work Cited:
JSTOR DAILY. What Was Women’s Liberation? - JSTOR DAILY, daily.jstor.org/what-was-womens-liberation/. Accessed 1 May 2025.
Khan Academy, Khan Academy, www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-history/postwarera/1970s-america/a/liberation-movements-1970s. Accessed 1 May 2025.
The Foundations of Black Power | National Museum of African American History and Culture, nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/foundations-black-power. Accessed 1 May 2025.