One of the most important leaders of this movement would be Public Enemy.Īs early as in 1986's "Rebel Without a Pause," Public Enemy's frontman Chuck D embraced convicted murderer and Black Panther JoAnne Chesimard ("Recorded and ordered - supporter of Chesimard"), and showed support for Louis Farrakhan in "Bring the Noise." The thing is, despite their controversial content, these songs were popular. Many of the new leaders would be, for better or worse, entertainers. When traditional leadership figures failed, African Americans turned elsewhere. But many of these figures, including Jackson, were much too controversial to gain widespread acceptance, and this new generation would constantly find themselves in a vacuum of leadership. Figures like Reverend Jesse Jackson sought to lead a new generation of African Americans that hadn't grown up with the Civil Rights Movement.
To some, America seemed to be neglecting the problems brewing in decaying inner city neighborhoods.
In the context of the history of race relations, 1989 was indeed another year in a long struggle for equality for African Americans, but it was also worthy of note. "1989 a number, another summer" right? In Public Enemy's "Fight the Power," rapper Chuck D makes a point of starting the song by putting it in the context of this date, even as he tries to pass it off as just "another summer."
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