African-Americans Who Fought Against Apartheid
Blacks who spoke out for democracy in South Africa.
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On Jan. 8, 2012, South Africa’s beloved African National Congress will commemorate its 100-year anniversary, celebrating its accomplishments toward breaking the chains of racial segregation and oppression of Black South Africans by the white-ruled Apartheid government and bringing racial harmony to the people. Many African-American activists and politicians in America spoke out against apartheid rule, some even meeting with Nelson Mandela, the ANC leader who was jailed for 27 years for his participation in the struggle for freedom and would later become South Africa’s first Black president in 1994. Artists such as Herbie Hancock, Kool DJ Herc and Miles Davis even lent their talents to the Artists United Against Apartheid's Sun City album, a collection of protest songs. Here is a rundown of other prominent African-Americans who fought for racial equality in South Africa.—Britt Middleton
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Rev. Jesse Jackson - Rev. Jesse Jackson(Photo: Dario Cantatore/Getty Images for Suzanne "Africa" Engo)
Photo By Photo: Dario Cantatore/Getty Images for Suzanne "Africa" Engo
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Dr. Maya Angelou - Dr. Maya Angelou (Photo: Steve Exum/Getty Images)
Photo By Photo: Steve Exum/Getty Images
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Rep. John Conyers Jr. - U.S. Rep. John Conyers (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
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Rep. Charles C. Diggs Jr. - U.S. Rep. Charles Diggs Jr.(Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
Photo By Photo: Wikimedia Commons
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Harry Belafonte - Harry Belafonte(Photo: Andy Kropa/Getty Images)
Photo By Photo: Andy Kropa/Getty Images
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Clarence Clemons - Clarence Clemons(Photo: Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/Getty Images)
Photo By Photo: Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/Getty Images
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Herbie Hancock - Herbie Hancock(Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Photo By Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
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Kool DJ Herc - Kool DJ Herc(Photo: Getty Images)
Photo By Photo: Getty Images
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Run-DMC - Run-DMC(Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)
Photo By Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images
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David Ruffin - David Ruffin(Photo: Detroit Free Press/MCT/Landov)
Photo By Photo: Detroit Free Press/MCT/Landov/ Detroit Free Press/MCT/Landov
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Eddie Kendricks - Eddie Kendricks(Photo: Charlie Gillett Collection/Redferns/Getty Images)
Photo By Photo: Charlie Gillett Collection/Redferns/Getty Images
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Darlene Love - Darlene Love(Photo: D Dipasupil/Getty Images for The Broadway League)
Photo By Photo: D Dipasupil/Getty Images for The Broadway League
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Bobby Womack - Bobby Womack (Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)
Photo By Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images/ Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images
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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 28: Hip hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa speaks during a press conference in New York City. (Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)
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Kurtis Blow - Kurtis Blow (Photo: Leigh Vogel/WireImage)
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Fat Boys - Fat Boys(Photo by Paul Natkin/WireImage/Getty Images)
Photo By Photo by Paul Natkin/WireImage/Getty Images
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George Clinton - George Clinton (Photo: Brad Barket/PictureGroup)
Photo By Photo: Brad Barket/PictureGroup
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NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 29: Singer Jimmy Cliff visits SiriusXM Studio on November 29, 2011 in New York City. (Photo: Cindy Ord/Getty Images)
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Gil Scott-Heron - Gil Scott-Heron(Photo: Gilles Petard/Redferns)
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Nona Hendryx - Nona Hendryx(Photo: Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Photo By Photo: Sean Gardner/Getty Images
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Lotti Golden - Lotti Golden(Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
Photo By Photo: Wikimedia Commons
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Miles Davis - Miles Davis(Photo: Landov)
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Oprah Winfrey - Oprah Winfrey(Photo: Kristian Dowling/Picturegroup)
