Jacqueline Woodson’s Feathers is set in the early 1970s, a period that is significant in American history for its intense social changes and the ongoing struggle for civil rights. The passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964 represented a major victory for the civil rights movement and outlawed segregation in schools and employment discrimination on the basis of race, religion, sex, or national origin. However, problems like poverty, unemployment, and de facto segregation in housing and schools continued to disproportionately impact Black Americans. These inequities led many citizens to engage in protest movements and social reform efforts. The Black Power Movement of the 1960s and 1970s “emphasized black self-reliance and self-determination more than integration” (“The Foundations of Black Power.” National Museum of African American History & Culture). Members of this movement sought to uplift Black Americans’ human rights and dignity through the creation of cultural, economic, and political institutions that served, strengthened, and celebrated Black communities. 

In Woodson’s novel, the movement’s symbol, the Black Power fist, appears on objects such as Frannie’s hair pick to convey Black pride. The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense was founded in 1966 in response to police brutality and was “the era’s most influential militant black power organization” (“The Black Panther Party: Challenging Police and Promoting Social Change.” National Museum of African American History & Culture). Local chapters, many of which were led by women, fostered social reforms through programs that provided breakfast for schoolchildren, free health clinics, and legal aid. In addition, Black Americans, both civilians and military personnel, played significant roles in protests against the Vietnam War (1955-1975). In 1969, African American soldiers organized GIs United Against the War in Vietnam. In the novel, the Vietnam War is one of the issues that Samantha raises to support her argument that the problems of the early 1970s warrant divine intervention. The 1970s was a time of pronounced social change in which Black Americans built on the struggles and successes of the 1960s and continued the fight for civil rights.