On July 31, 1960, Elijah Muhammad, leader of the Nation of Islam, publicly advocated for the creation of a separate, autonomous state for African Americans. This call underscored the ongoing racial tensions and separatist movements during the Civil Rights era.

Elijah Muhammad’s leadership of the Nation of Islam was marked by his promotion of black nationalism and separatism. He rejected the integrationist approach of the mainstream civil rights movement, instead advocating for a separate black community and the establishment of a sovereign African-American nation-state, particularly in the southern United States.

This stance was part of a broader black nationalist ideology that sought to empower African Americans by fostering a positive self-identity and promoting self-sufficiency. The Nation of Islam’s teachings emphasized black pride, economic empowerment, and the rejection of white supremacy.

Elijah Muhammad’s call for a separate black state on July 31, 1960, was a significant expression of the black nationalist sentiment of the time, reflecting the desire for self-determination and the creation of a society where African Americans could exercise full control over their social, economic, and political destinies.