BCM Essay:
Before the emergence of Black Consciousness, most forms of black resistance in SA had been
suppressed by the Apartheid government. The ANC and PAC were banned and most influential and
important resistance leaders were either exiled or in prison. It was thus left to the students and youth to
develop their own form of resistance and continue the struggle to end Apartheid. This lead to the
creation of the philosophy known as Black Consciousness.
Through student-led organisations such as NUSAS, black students were able to continue their political
activities in universities. Steve Biko, one of the key leaders behind BC, created SASO after becoming
disillusioned with NUSAS – despite the intention to fight for the freedom and rights of black people in
South Africa, the organisation remained white-dominated. SASO was an organisation that represented
the interests of all black students who wished to oppose Apartheid, and strongly promoted and followed
the ideas of BC. SASO included all African, Coloured and Indian students but were anti-white, for they
believed that white people had never experienced the injustices of Apartheid and could never
understand what black people are going through. However, white people were instead encouraged to
educate their own people about the injustices of Apartheid. The exclusion of white people thus followed
the principles of BC – black independence. Black people realised that they could not rely on white
people to fight for their freedom – they had to do it themselves. BC was not a political movement, but a
philosophy that promoted black pride. The intention was to liberate the minds of black people from the
belief that they are inferior to white people. BC was a philosophy that aimed to unite black people to
fight together against Apartheid. SASO and BC thus strayed from the multi-racial values of the ANC.
Through Biko’s speeches and writings, he spread the beliefs of BC to black students across the country.
BC used music, art and poetry to encourage people to stand up to their oppressors and challenge the
state. BC became a widespread philosophy, mobilising many students. The BCM was thus developed.
The BPC was a front that organised protests against the Apartheid government in collaboration with
similar organisations. The aim was to encourage the masses to fight for their freedom. Within months,
the BPC grew to over 40 branches across the country. They made use of their influence to further
educate black children on the evils of Apartheid, and supported liberation movements in other
countries. However, the BPC was banned shortly after its creation by the Apartheid government.
In order to further promote the idea of black self-reliance, Black Community programmes in different
communities were established with the intention of improving the quality of living. This was initiated by
the BCP, which built clinics and schools, set up literacy campaigns and social upliftment seminars and
encouraged debates between community members. An example of community initiatives set up by the
BCP is the Zanempilo Community Clinic. BCM had emerged at a time where the NP had successfully
silenced all other forms of black resistance. The BCM thus revived the political struggle against the
Apartheid regime at the height of its power, demonstrating the determination of black people to
achieve liberation. With a considerable rise in power and influence, it became clear to the government
that BCM should not be overlooked.
The government, at first, did not see any threat arising in the idea of BCM. It followed their ideas of
segregation and independent development. However, as BCM spread to many parts of the country, their
alignment against the policies of the Apartheid regime became clear. The speeches made by Biko to
appeal to the masses largely encouraged mass protest action, rejection of the Apartheid regime and
Before the emergence of Black Consciousness, most forms of black resistance in SA had been
suppressed by the Apartheid government. The ANC and PAC were banned and most influential and
important resistance leaders were either exiled or in prison. It was thus left to the students and youth to
develop their own form of resistance and continue the struggle to end Apartheid. This lead to the
creation of the philosophy known as Black Consciousness.
Through student-led organisations such as NUSAS, black students were able to continue their political
activities in universities. Steve Biko, one of the key leaders behind BC, created SASO after becoming
disillusioned with NUSAS – despite the intention to fight for the freedom and rights of black people in
South Africa, the organisation remained white-dominated. SASO was an organisation that represented
the interests of all black students who wished to oppose Apartheid, and strongly promoted and followed
the ideas of BC. SASO included all African, Coloured and Indian students but were anti-white, for they
believed that white people had never experienced the injustices of Apartheid and could never
understand what black people are going through. However, white people were instead encouraged to
educate their own people about the injustices of Apartheid. The exclusion of white people thus followed
the principles of BC – black independence. Black people realised that they could not rely on white
people to fight for their freedom – they had to do it themselves. BC was not a political movement, but a
philosophy that promoted black pride. The intention was to liberate the minds of black people from the
belief that they are inferior to white people. BC was a philosophy that aimed to unite black people to
fight together against Apartheid. SASO and BC thus strayed from the multi-racial values of the ANC.
Through Biko’s speeches and writings, he spread the beliefs of BC to black students across the country.
BC used music, art and poetry to encourage people to stand up to their oppressors and challenge the
state. BC became a widespread philosophy, mobilising many students. The BCM was thus developed.
The BPC was a front that organised protests against the Apartheid government in collaboration with
similar organisations. The aim was to encourage the masses to fight for their freedom. Within months,
the BPC grew to over 40 branches across the country. They made use of their influence to further
educate black children on the evils of Apartheid, and supported liberation movements in other
countries. However, the BPC was banned shortly after its creation by the Apartheid government.
In order to further promote the idea of black self-reliance, Black Community programmes in different
communities were established with the intention of improving the quality of living. This was initiated by
the BCP, which built clinics and schools, set up literacy campaigns and social upliftment seminars and
encouraged debates between community members. An example of community initiatives set up by the
BCP is the Zanempilo Community Clinic. BCM had emerged at a time where the NP had successfully
silenced all other forms of black resistance. The BCM thus revived the political struggle against the
Apartheid regime at the height of its power, demonstrating the determination of black people to
achieve liberation. With a considerable rise in power and influence, it became clear to the government
that BCM should not be overlooked.
The government, at first, did not see any threat arising in the idea of BCM. It followed their ideas of
segregation and independent development. However, as BCM spread to many parts of the country, their
alignment against the policies of the Apartheid regime became clear. The speeches made by Biko to
appeal to the masses largely encouraged mass protest action, rejection of the Apartheid regime and
