Amina Baraka and the Women in CAP

Abstract

Women have always played a major role in the Black Liberation Movement, its organizations, strategies, ideological development, campaigns and successes. Too often, as in other institutions within the African American community like the black church or educational institutions, women are frequently seen as mostly responsible for the day to day functioning and organizing of the institution while men are typically viewed (internally and externally) as the publicly known leadership. This consistent feature of black institutions has also been the cause for debate, struggle, and change. Despite revolutionary ideas, programs, and practices, CAP had developed and accepted an organizational model that was similar in structure and practice to those other institutions in the community. However, several factors contributed to the internal challenge to that model and the eventual transformation of organizational and individual ideas and practices.