Despite American political philosophy being preoccupied with the notion of democracy, African-Americans remained neglected even after the abolition of slavery. The civil rights struggle was headed by a black man, Dr. Du Bois – who believed in equality and justice for everyone, regardless of race. He founded the NAACP in order to fight for equal rights for blacks. King, who was born in Atlanta, Georgia, fought for the rights of oppressed people throughout America. In 1964 he led the Civil Rights Movement, which made him famous. Frantz Fanon, born in Martinique, highlighted the effects of colonialism on the lives of Africans. A distinctively African philosophical movement emerged and focused on problems of poverty and oppression.
African philosophers emphasize the importance of freedom for a nation. Most newly independent countries modeled themselves after democratic governments. Africa also had a distinctively African philosophy. The focus was on helping people who were downtrodden or oppressed by colonial powers.