We Shall Not Be Moved: Black Nationalism at NC State

Despite ongoing incidents of racism on campus, African American students at North Carolina State University did not despair. On the contrary, they rallied together and called for pride in African American experiences and African American culture. Some students adopted tenets of a more radical ideology, Black Nationalism. Although manifesting itself differently in different contexts, Black Nationalism was originally an ideology of racial separatism that promoted pride in Black culture and unity among Black people. As with its coverage of racism on campus and in the broader society, The Nubian Message was initially harsh in tone when covering the divergences between African American culture and mainstream white culture. It was also harsh in its criticism of white politics and African American leaders' complacency with those politics. Over time, this harshness lessened, but did it not disappear entirely. Staff writers continued to push readers to recognize--and celebrate--African American cultural practices, and to urge political and social leaders to work actively for positive race-related change.