2-835-251 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

The National Black Political Convention, or the Gary Convention, was held in Gary, Indiana in 1972, and provided a space for African-Americans to discuss issues adversely affecting their communities. Among the goals was increasing political representation and raising the number of Black politicians elected to office. As part of the agenda for fundamental change in the context of significant economic and social crisis, the Gary Declaration was issued. It stated that the American political system was failing Black Americans and that the only way to address this problem was to transition to independent black politics. The black button has green and red text which reads [BLACK / NATIONAL / POLITICAL / CONVENTION / MAR. 10, 11, 12, 1972 / GARY, IND.] The word "NATIONAL" is in red, and the rest of the words are green. The back is silver and has a wire pin. There is engraved text on the back which reads [MADE IN U.S.A. / (?) PEND.]. There is a symbol of a circle with an upward arrow going through it. Owned by Jan Bailey (1942-2010).