The Black Panther Party - Revolutionary Black Nationalism

Photo courtesy of the State Governors’ Negative Collection, 1949-1975, Washington State Archives. (Source: link).

Introduction

The Black Panther Party for Self Defense was a revolutionary political organization founded in 1966 in Oakland, California. The party was established as a response to the continued police brutality and systemic oppression faced by African Americans in the United States. The party's aims were to protect African American communities, promote the rights of the oppressed, and achieve political power through organizing and activism. This article will delve into the history, ideology, and legacy of the Black Panther Party, highlighting the impact the organization had on American history and the ongoing struggle for racial justice.

Origins of the Black Panther Party

The Black Panther Party was founded in 1966 by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale, two African American college students who were deeply affected by the ongoing police brutality and systemic racism that plagued black communities in the United States. The two friends believed that African Americans needed to organize themselves to combat the racism and oppression they faced. They were inspired by Malcolm X, who advocated for black self-defense and unity against white oppression.

Portrait photograph by Blair Stapp of Huey Newton sitting in a rattan throne chair with a rifle and a spear. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

The party's initial focus was on police brutality and the protection of African American communities from police violence. The party members patrolled the streets of Oakland, armed with guns and clad in black leather jackets and berets. The group's distinctive dress and weaponry quickly attracted attention, and the Black Panther Party began to grow in popularity and influence.

“We've got to face the fact that some people say you fight fire best with fire, but we say you put fire out best with water. We say you don't fight racism with racism. We're gonna fight racism with solidarity.”

Fred Hampton, I Am A Revolutionary: Fred Hampton Speaks

The party also began to engage in community organizing, offering free breakfasts to children in need and providing free health clinics and legal aid services to African American communities. The party's ten-point program, which was published in 1966, called for an end to police aggression and the release of all black prisoners. The program also demanded access to quality education, housing, and employment opportunities for African Americans.

Ideology and Philosophy of the Black Panther Party

The Black Panther Party was a Marxist-Leninist organization that sought to combine revolutionary politics with black liberation. The party's ideology was heavily influenced by the ideas of Mao Zedong, who led the Chinese Communist Party to victory in the Chinese Civil War.

Black Panther Party Beliefs. Image courtesy of the Online Archive of California, UCLA Special Collections. (Source: link)

The party's ideology was also based on the belief that capitalism was a system that exploited and oppressed African Americans, and that only a socialist revolution could bring about true liberation for black people. The party was committed to the idea of black self-determination and self-defense, and it advocated for the right of African Americans to organize themselves and defend their communities.

The party's philosophy was embodied in its now famous ten-point program, which outlined the party's demands and aspirations for African Americans. The program called for an end to police brutality and the release of all black prisoners, as well as access to quality education, housing, and employment opportunities for African Americans.

The Black Panthers believed that African Americans needed to protect themselves from white violence and oppression, and they sought to achieve this through the formation of community defense organizations. These organizations were meant to provide a sense of security and protection to African American communities, and they were often armed and ready to respond to any threat.

Publications were used to spread awareness of the cause throughout the black community, with the publication of the Black Panther Movement’s Black People’s News Service sold outside Notting Hill Gate and Brixton Underground stations. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

Black Panther Convention, Lincoln Memorial. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

The Black Panthers as Cultural Icons

The Black Panther Party quickly became a symbol of resistance and revolution in American popular culture. The party's distinctive black leather jackets, berets, and firearms were immediately recognizable, and many people saw the Panthers as modern-day Robin Hoods, fighting against the oppressive forces of law and order. The party's image was particularly appealing to young African Americans, who were frustrated by the slow pace of civil rights progress and the ongoing brutality and discrimination they faced.

The Panthers were celebrated in popular culture through music, art, and film. Artists like the Last Poets, Gil Scott-Heron, and Nina Simone wrote songs that celebrated the Panthers' revolutionary spirit and highlighted the ongoing struggle for black liberation. The Panthers themselves also engaged with popular culture, creating their own newspaper, The Black Panther, and producing documentaries about their activism and community programs.

The Black Panthers in Film

The Black Panther Party also had a significant impact on American cinema. Many films of the 1960s and 1970s reflected the Panthers' revolutionary ideals and depicted African Americans as active agents of change rather than passive victims of oppression. One of the most notable examples is Melvin Van Peebles' film "Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song" (1971), which tells the story of a black sex worker who goes on the run after killing two white police officers. The film is notable for its explicit depiction of sex and violence and its use of non-linear storytelling, and it was hugely influential in the development of the blaxploitation genre.

"Who is the man that would risk his neck / For his brother man? / SHAFT! / Can you dig it?".

Theme song - "Shaft".

Other films of the era, like Gordon Parks' "Shaft" (1971) and Michael Campus' "The Mack" (1973), also depicted African Americans as powerful and independent figures who could take on the corrupt forces of law and order. These films were often criticized for their depictions of violence and sexuality, but they also helped to reshape the way African Americans were portrayed on screen.

Publicity photo of Richard Roundtree from the television program "Shaft". (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

The Black Panthers in Art

The Black Panther Party also had a significant impact on American art. The party's revolutionary rhetoric and militant image inspired many artists, who used their work to comment on the ongoing struggle for racial justice. One of the most famous examples is Emory Douglas, who served as the party's Minister of Culture and designed many of the party's posters and newspapers. Douglas' powerful and often graphic designs depicted African Americans as strong and defiant figures who could take on the forces of oppression.

Other artists of the era, like Barkley Hendricks and Elizabeth Catlett, also depicted African Americans as proud and powerful figures who could resist the forces of oppression. Hendricks' portraits of black men and women were notable for their use of bright colors and bold patterns, while Catlett's sculptures and prints often highlighted the strength and resilience of African American women.

Women in the Black Panther Party. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

“When Black women stand up— as they did during the Montgomery Bus Boycott—as they did during the Black liberation era, earth-shaking changes occur.”

Angela Y. Davis, Freedom is a Constant Struggle

Criticism of The Movement

While the organization was celebrated for its efforts to promote black empowerment and fight against police brutality, it also faced criticism on several fronts:

Use of violence: The Black Panther Party believed in the use of armed self-defense and advocated for the right of African Americans to bear arms. This led to the organization's members engaging in violent clashes with law enforcement and other groups, which resulted in several deaths and injuries. Critics argue that the use of violence undermined the party's goals and created unnecessary conflict.

Anti-Semitism: The Black Panther Party was accused of promoting anti-Semitic beliefs and using anti-Semitic language in their publications and speeches. This has been a source of controversy and has caused some to question the party's commitment to equality and justice for all oppressed groups.

Treatment of women: The party was also criticized for its treatment of women, including allegations of sexism and misogyny. Some former members have spoken out about the objectification of women within the organization and the limited roles that women were allowed to play in its leadership.

Criminal activity: Some members of the Black Panther Party were involved in criminal activities, including drug trafficking and extortion. Critics argue that these actions compromised the party's legitimacy and made it difficult for them to gain broad support for their political goals.

The Black Panthers' Legacy

The Black Panther Party's influence on American popular culture can still be seen today. The party's revolutionary rhetoric and militant image continue to inspire artists, musicians, and filmmakers, who use their work to comment on the ongoing struggle for racial justice. The party's emphasis on community organizing and activism has also inspired a new generation of activists, who are fighting for the rights of marginalized communities across the United States. The party's legacy can be seen in the continued struggles for racial justice and equality.

While the Black Panther Party faced many challenges and controversies during its existence, its impact on American society and culture cannot be denied. The Panthers' commitment to community organizing and activism, their emphasis on self-defense and self-determination, and their unyielding resistance to oppression continue to inspire people around the world who are fighting for justice and equality.