Content Warning: This section discusses the author's analysis of racism and the history of enslavement and contains outdated terminology about Indigenous peoples.

The mid-1960s was a crucial point for the future course of the freedom struggle. King explores the accomplishments of the civil rights movement and envisions its future as the idea of Black power began to emerge. King attempts to counter the growing resentment of the African American community regarding the slow progress in social change. He notes that the movement had achieved, through nonviolent action and resistance, the historic victory of dismantling “the entire edifice of segregation” in the South, which was the “stronghold of racism” (13). For King, by attacking racism at its heart, the movement paved the way for the future. He stresses that progress is nonlinear and full victory always demands “many short-term encounters” (12). King seeks to galvanize Black people and encourage them to continue their fight against injustice.

King recognizes the limitations of the first phase of the civil rights movement, arguing that up to the mid-1960s, its scope was limited to the South. As Black people in the South fought for survival against brutality and murder, their scope remained focused on regaining their dignity.