Summary of the 1978 Secret Memorandum – crafted to cause division and keep Black folk from gaining power in numbers and economically. Clearly in some ways it has worked – wealthy Black folk will send their children to the segregated school, will not co-mingle [downtown], self-elevate, attend segregated churches, create groups where Shaniqua and Dante are not now and never will be accepted. It makes one wonder if the struggles occurring today has reached the doorstep of the Black Elite – perhaps those prayers have reached a level of clarity?
The memorandum, titled “Black Africa and the U.S. Black Movement,” is a Presidential Review Memorandum (NSCM/46) dated March 17, 1978, directed by the President to key officials (Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Director of Central Intelligence, etc.). It calls for a comprehensive review of developments in Black Africa and their potential impact on the black movement in the United States.
The core objective of U.S. policy toward Black Africa is to prevent social upheavals that could radically change the political situation, which is tied to U.S. political and economic interests, including access to vital raw materials in southern Africa and control over sea routes. The memorandum expresses concern that hostile attitudes from Black African states could intensify the activity of the black movement in the United States.
The document highlights the risk of the nationalist liberation movement in Black Africa acting as a catalyst to stimulate organizational consolidation and radical actions within the American black community, potentially leading to joint actions, demonstrations, public protests, and even violence. These actions could include protests against U.S. policy toward South Africa, attempts to establish a permanent black lobby in Congress, and the reemergence of Pan-African ideals. Internationally, coordinated activity could condemn U.S. policy at the United Nations.
The memorandum notes that the U.S. black movement has undergone changes since the mid-1960s, with social and economic issues supplanting political aims, and is currently characterized by fragmentation, lack of unity, and the absence of a national leader of Martin Luther King’s standing.
To protect U.S. national security interests and prevent adverse trends, the memorandum makes several recommendations and outlines policy options, including:
Recommendations:
Take specific steps to inhibit coordinated activity of the Black Movement in the United States.
Launch special clandestine operations by the CIA to generate mistrust and hostility against joint activity of U.S. and African forces, and to cause division among Black African radical groups.
U.S. embassies must be highly circumspect regarding opposition to U.S. policy toward South Africa.
The FBI should mount surveillance operations against Black African representatives, especially at the U.N., who oppose U.S. policy toward South Africa, and collect information on their links with U.S. black movement leaders for neutralization purposes.
Policy Options (to ensure continuing development of present trends and prevent instability):
Enlarge programs for the improvement of the social and economic welfare of American Blacks.
Elaborate and implement a special program to perpetuate division in the Black movement and neutralize active leftist radical groups.
Preserve the present climate that inhibits the emergence of a nationally appealing Black leader.
Work out and realize preventive operations to impede durable ties between U.S. Black organizations and radical groups in African states.
Support actions designed to sharpen social stratification in the Black community to widen the gap between successful, educated Blacks and the poor, weakening the movement as a whole.
Facilitate the greatest possible expansion of Black business through government contracts and loans.
Use AFL-CIO leaders to counteract the increasing influence of Black labor organizations and encourage hostile reactions among White trade unionists to Black welfare demands.
Support the nomination of loyal Black public figures to elective offices, government agencies, and the Court to control their activity and undermine the idea of an independent black political party.
