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The Intersections of Black Power and Anti-Vietnam War Activism in the United States, 1964-1972

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The Intersections of Black Power and Anti-Vietnam War Activism in the United States, 1964-1972 University of Kentucky UKnowledge Theses and Dissertations--History History 2013 INSTRUMENTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: THE INTERSECTIONS OF BLACK POWER AND ANTI-VIETNAM WAR ACTIVISM IN THE UNITED STATES, 1964-1972 Amanda L. Higgins University of Kentucky, [email protected] Right click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Higgins, Amanda L., "INSTRUMENTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: THE INTERSECTIONS OF BLACK POWER AND ANTI-VIETNAM WAR ACTIVISM IN THE UNITED STATES, 1964-1972" (2013). Theses and Dissertations-- History. 10. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/history_etds/10 This Doctoral Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the History at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations--History by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact [email protected]. STUDENT AGREEMENT: I represent that my thesis or dissertation and abstract are my original work. Proper attribution has been given to all outside sources. I understand that I am solely responsible for obtaining any needed copyright permissions. I have obtained and attached hereto needed written permission statements(s) from the owner(s) of each third-party copyrighted matter to be included in my work, allowing electronic distribution (if such use is not permitted by the fair use doctrine). I hereby grant to The University of Kentucky and its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible my work in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I agree that the document mentioned above may be made available immediately for worldwide access unless a preapproved embargo applies. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of my work. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of my work. I understand that I am free to register the copyright to my work. REVIEW, APPROVAL AND ACCEPTANCE The document mentioned above has been reviewed and accepted by the student’s advisor, on behalf of the advisory committee, and by the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), on behalf of the program; we verify that this is the final, approved version of the student’s dissertation including all changes required by the advisory committee. The undersigned agree to abide by the statements above. Amanda L. Higgins, Student Dr. Tracy A. Campbell, Major Professor Dr. David E. Hamilton, Director of Graduate Studies INSTRUMENTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: THE INTERSECTIONS OF BLACK POWER AND ANTI-VIETNAM WAR ACTIVISM IN THE UNITED STATES, 1964- 1972 _________________________________________________________ DISSERTATION _________________________________________________________ A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Kentucky By Amanda L. Higgins Lexington, KY Director: Dr. Tracy Campbell, Professor of History Lexington, KY 2013 Copyright Amanda L. Higgins 2013 ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION INSTRUMENTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: THE INTERSECTIONS OF BLACK POWER AND ANTI-VIETNAM WAR ACTIVISM IN THE UNITED STATES, 1964- 1972 Instruments of Righteousness investigates the class-, race-, and gender-based identities and intersections of women and men in the Black Power movement and their various organizing activities to gain certain and defined concessions from federal, state, and local governments. It argues that the intersections of Black Power and anti-Vietnam War activism created changing definitions of black masculinity and femininity, expressed through anti-draft and anti-war work. Black Power and anti-war activism cannot and should not be investigated separate from one another. The experiences of Black Power soldiers, antiwar members of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the Black Panther Party, and the Third World Women’s Alliance, and exiled black Americans highlight the ways the anti-Vietnam War and Black Power activism depended on each other for rhetorical, theoretical, and personnel needs. Additionally, it explores the ways that Black Power organizations articulated “Third World” mentalities in their anti- war battles. By espousing a shared identity with people of color throughout the world, Black Power organizations placed themselves in a transnational conversation among radical, decolonizing nation-states. Black Power’s advocates’ roles as non-governmental actors in the Third World strengthened ties with and presented new images of United States citizens throughout the decolonizing world. KEYWORDS: Black Power, Vietnam, Anti-war, Masculinity, Oppression Amanda Leigh Higgins Student Signature November 27, 2013 Date INSTRUMENTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: THE INTERSECTIONS OF BLACK POWER AND ANTI-VIETNAM WAR ACTIVISM IN THE UNITED STATES, 1964- 1972 BY Amanda L. Higgins _______ Dr. Tracy A. Campbell__ Director of Dissertation __________________________Dr. David E. Hamilton__ Director of Graduate Studies _____________________________ November 27, 2013 Date For Cooper and Lily with the hope that they grow up in a more peaceful and just world AND For all those who have and continue to fight to make that world possible ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Tracy Campbell pushed me to be better with every word I wrote. He inspired me to be a better teacher and modeled that life outside of academia was both possible and necessary, because there are important things beyond Patterson Office Tower like the latest episode of Mad Men and Kentucky athletic victories. His steadfast support and belief in my ability made graduate school just a little bit more bearable. Being a student of TC’s was a privilege and I will always cherish his quick email responses and willingness to listen to my righteous indignation. Professors Hang Nguyen, Joanne Melish, Karen Petrone, and Karen Tice all provided excellent feedback and encouragement throughout the writing and editing process. Their keen eyes, discerning questions, and belief in my project improved this dissertation. This project was greatly aided by the generosity of a number of people. Thank you to Ericka Huggins, Gwen Patton, and Cleveland Sellers for taking time out of their busy schedules to talk with me. Thank you to Harry Miller at the Wisconsin State Historical Society, the staff of the Avery Center at the College of Charleston, and the staff at Trenholm State’s library for sending me hundreds of copies of documents I would otherwise not have had access to. Thank you to the New York Public Library for their Short-term Fellowship and the staff of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture for all their work. My research trips were aided by the History Department’s Charles P. Roland and Dorothy Leathers Fellowship awards, as well as the Gender and Women’s Studies Department’s Bonnie Cox award. I am indebted to their belief in higher education and the importance of humanities research. iii People say having one good friend makes a person rich. If so, I must be a special kind of lucky to call so many people friends. In the History Department, I am thankful for the support of colleagues and friends, especially Robert Murray and his wife Amy, Anthony Miller and his wife Stephanie, Robert Turpin and his wife Julia, and Dana Caldemeyer. Rachel Hogg, a historian turned Public Health guru, made long days in front of the computer much more fun with gchat sessions, news tidbits, and lots of encouragement. Whether a day on the lake, lunch between classes, or an adult beverage after a long conference, they all made the 17th floor a more welcoming place. James Savage has been a great friend. Though we started off quite unsure of each other, James’ love, support, and good natured heckling made this long process livelier. I taught him basketball, betting, and bourbon (i.e. how to be a Kentuckian), and he taught me slang, Louisiana, and how to be a better writer, as we shared the anxieties and triumphs of Ph.D. work, research breakthroughs, and life lessons. His friendship means more than a few lines in an acknowledgement section can possibly encompass. In my life off UK’s campus, I have been overwhelmingly blessed to call Tara Bonistall Noland, Katie Lynch, and Grace Hahn my closest friends. Always only a phone call away, these women are my cheerleaders, while reminding me to stay grounded and focused. Tara teaches me on a regular basis to give a little more of myself than I thought possible. Katie’s dedication inspires me to work harder, even when the goal seems out of reach. Grace’s passion helps me to be a better role model for my students and an advocate for myself. I am proud to call them my friends and sisters and would truly be the poorer without them. iv I would be remiss not to mention a group of hilarious, cutting, but, in the end, loveable men who have stuck by the Higgins for the last decade. Zac Noland, Chris Johnson, and Michael Hester are the truest of friends. Genuine assholes, they keep me on my toes, while making it abundantly clear that I can always count on them. With the aid of far too much alcohol and more late nights than I care to remember, they’ve become members of our family, and allowed us to be a part of theirs. The guest bed is always ready, a table spot set, and the door open, whenever any of you need it. My parents, Dave and Paula Duncan, deserve special thanks for all they’ve done to make my life better. Through basketball games, SEC tournaments, and hundreds of meals, they provided escape, nourishment, and encouragement every step of the way. My mom traveled with me to San Francisco and New York while I researched this project. And though those trips served as the basis for much of my dissertation, they mattered so much more to me because she was there. She never imposed on my time or schedule, but always had a plan when I returned.
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