From Muslim to Mormon: Eldridge cleaver's rhetorical crusade

Abstract

During his life Eldridge Cleaver has been a member of several very different organizations. His dramatic changes have caused confusion and even hostility among those who have followed his career. This paper argues that Cleaver is a religious individual who has remained faithful to his primary concern of improving the lives of Blacks in the United States. The paper details how Cleaver's discourse has been religious in nature and argues that his persuasive tactics have been consistent throughout his life.

Key concepts:

• Eldridge Cleaver
• Black rhetoric
• Black power
• anti‐communism
• patriotism
• Black Muslims
• Black Panthers
• Moonies
• Mormons
• religious conversion
• Black radicals