Black Awakening in Capitalist America is a 1969 social sciences and history book by American scholar Robert L. Allen that analyzes the experience of Black residents of the United States as that of a colonized nation within a nation. Allen primarily analyzes Black organizing in the 1960s and often draws from the work of Frantz Fanon.
Discussion notes #
Part 4: Solutions and Strategies #
- Allen advocates for Black self-determination and community control as the primary path to liberation. What does this look like in practice? What are the potential strengths and weaknesses of this strategy?
- The book is fundamentally a critique of capitalism. Does Allen offer a clear alternative economic system? If not, what do you imagine a post-capitalist, de-colonized society would look like based on the arguments in his book?
- Allen differentiates between “integration” and “liberation.” What is the difference in his view? Do you think the goals of the modern Civil Rights movement lean more toward one or the other?
Part 5: Final Thoughts and Personal Reflection #
- What was the most surprising, challenging, or thought-provoking idea in Black Awakening in Capitalist America? Did it change the way you view American history or current events?
- If you could ask Robert L. Allen one question about his book today, what would it be?
- After reading this, how do you define “Black Power”? Has the book’s definition influenced your own?