To help students understand the program and philosophy of Black Power, hand out “What We Want” by Stokely Carmichael. Students read the essay silently. Then instruct the students to set up and number six vertical columns on a piece of paper. Working in groups of four (a reporter, a recorder, a group facilitator, and a person to ask questions from the group), students summarize the six parts of the essay that follow the introduction, one per column. Students should include one quote per section. Also, for each section, the students should write the values or beliefs of Black Power implicit or explicit in that section. After about 15 minutes, the teacher reviews the sections aloud with the students and generates a summary for each section on the board. Once the class has agreed on the summary, prompt them to come to consensus on the values expressed in each section. The class should then discuss the questions: 

• Describe Black Power in a few sentences. In your own words, what does this approach to civil rights mean?
• In which ways does Carmichael seem most to agree with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? With Malcolm X? Why?
• In what ways does Carmichael’s argument differ from the ideas of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr? With Malcolm X?
• Which approach to civil rights most aligns with your own views or ideas? Explain.