1920-
Civil Rights Leader

A Founder of CORE.

Early Life.

Civil Rights Leader.

CORE Strategy.

New Directions.

In 1966, as younger leaders at CORE began espousing black separatism, Farmer left the organization. In 1969 he was criticized by some African Americans for taking the position of assistant secretary of health, education, and welfare (HEW) in the Republican administration of President Richard M. Nixon. Farmer accepted the appointment because he believed he could use it to further the interests of African Americans. He did succeed in increasing the number of blacks employed by the agency, but he resigned not long after beginning the job because he came to feel that he could accomplish little at HEW. Until 1981 he was active as a lecturer and as director of the Council on Minority Planning and Strategy, a black think tank in Washington, D.C.

Sources:

James Farmer, Freedom — When? (New York...