“Negro and the American Promise” (1963)
This 1963 interview with Malcolm X displays Malcolm X’s views on the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr’s methods, and what African Americans should do. This interview was one part of a large television program that interviewed most of the prominent Civil Rights leaders. During this time Malcolm X was known for being the African American challenger to the nonviolent protests. As Malcolm X describes in this interview, he believes that African Americans should fight back and become completely separated from white people, instead of the nonviolent and integration that was being preached by Martin Luther King Jr. This interview caused some African Americans to believe in Malcolm X’s beliefs and challenge the nonviolent protests that were occurring. Malcolm X’s beliefs also provoked African Americans to become violent towards law enforcement and things that were unjust for African Americans.
“LA Riots Live Coverage As It Happened 4/29/92” CNN News (1992)
This 1992 CNN news coverage displays the Los Angeles Riots that encompassed the first day of the riots. The news coverage details the damage and violence that was being committed and also provides insight into why the rioting was happening. The cause for the riots was because the police who excessively beat an African American, Rodney King, were acquitted. Footage of the police excessively beating Rodney King and using racial slurs was seen nationally, but the jury acquitted the officers. This angered many African Americans and in protest, the Los Angeles Metropolitan area became a warzone for five days with the destruction of buildings and cars and fighting against the police. This form of protest was very different from the nonviolent ways that Martin Luther King Jr had preached years before. The rioting would influence the creation of institutions where people could speak their minds and complaints. The rioting also created police reform, with police being under more surveillance and facing more punishment for discriminatory acts.