The ability to remain calm and cool under pressure is not a skill that many possess. Civil rights activists such as MLK, Malcolm X, James Baldwin, and Muhammad Ali had to deliver many planned and impromptu speeches, interviews, and debates. They had to have a command of self and the English language. They spoke without verbal crutches and rarely used slang because they had to convey a message to white society on behalf of black society. James Baldwin was a writer and was able to speak purposely. King was a scholar and a third generation Minister used to moving audiences with his words. Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali were less refined; however, they combined their knowledge of the street with the teachings of NOI to perfect their command of self and language.
For years, they had cameras and microphones shoved in their face. The men had to be prepared always for any type of question. It seemed as though white society could not understand why blacks wanted civil rights. The men were asked personal and inflammatory questions often designed to incite them. White interviewers asked them passive-aggressive questions about their beliefs and their agenda. They fielded questions about their perception of race relations. They were asked if Negroes would resort to violence if the Civil Rights Act was not passed. Interviewers asked provoking questions such as their thoughts of other black civil rights speakers. Malcolm X and MLK in particular, were often asked to comment or respond to each other statements given in interviews.
In order to get their message across, black civil rights speakers had to remain calm under intense pressure. Black leaders, especially black men had to remain in control of their emotions in front of the camera. Losing their emotions under pressure during an interview would have changed the focus. It would have turned the focus away from their words and to their reaction and tone of voice. When you lose control, there is a greater chance of saying something you should not or did not intend to say. Also, you may make a statement that is received in a way you did not intend for it to be interpreted.
For example, King had to remain calm during an episode of the 1963 Press Conference USA television show. Fielding questions from four men, he remained calm and spoke eloquently answering questions. He responded to questions such as “Why does he feel white business owners should risk losing white patrons to allow Negroes into their businesses” and “Does he believe the federal government has the right to tell white business owners how to operate?” During the David Susskind interview also in 1963, King answered questions for nearly 2 hours about the Civil Rights Movement and the agenda of Negroes. Responding angrily at provoking questions will have flown in the face of the nonviolence creed of the civil rights movement.
Another example is the Malcolm X famous “chickens coming home to roost” statement. Elijah Muhammad, the leader of the Nation of Islam, ordered Malcolm X not to comment on the assassination of President Kennedy. When a reporter asked him to comment on the assassination, Malcolm X couldn’t resist speaking his mind. In that moment, he spoke without thinking and without a filter. It was that fateful comment which caused the 90-day silence issued to him by the Nation of Islam and forever changed the relationship between him and the NOI. Malcolm X admitted his words were not taken the way he intended. His slip of the tongue comment was a pivotal point in the trajectory of his life. It was the beginning of the friction between him and his life with the NOI.
Remaining cool and staying on track under pressure isn’t easy. Civil rights activists of yesterday had to be prepared for any question. They had to steer the conversation and remain in control of their words, tone, and emotions. Culture Blurb acknowledges and appreciates the drive and skill of language and communication of civil rights activists of yesterday.