1971 - Nixon Rejects Demands from Congressional Black Caucus

On May 18, 1971, President Richard Nixon formally rejected a 60-point policy proposal from the newly formed Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), a group of African American lawmakers dedicated to advancing civil rights, economic justice, and political power. The CBC had sought a direct meeting to present its “Black Declaration of Independence,” which demanded stronger federal action on issues like police brutality, voting rights, urban poverty, and educational inequality. Nixon’s refusal to meet with the Caucus or consider its demands sparked national outcry and highlighted how even post–civil rights America continued to marginalize Black political voices. The incident reinforced the importance of independent Black political advocacy within the U.S. government. May 18 marks a key date in the history of the Black Power era, underscoring how systemic resistance often met the push for racial justice—even within the halls of Congress. The CBC’s persistence paved the way for future Black legislative influence.