The Significance of Extremism in the Black Revolution

This paper examines the connotations of the term “extremism” as used with reference to the Black Protest Movement. An heuristic definition of contemporary black extremism is derived from Gary Marx' review of opinion surveys which identify modal attitudes towards values, tactics and leaders among putative members of the movement. Propositions concerning the possible significance of extremist leaders are then advanced. They may: 1) increase the bargaining power of moderate leaders; 2) provide a corrective to illusions of progress by, 3) identifying unresolved issues and defining new ones; 4) radicalize a growing segment of the movement membership and increase the polarization between the movement and its opposition; 5) focus the attention of the opposition and the bystander public on new issues; and 6) evoke extreme repressive measures from the opposition.