While Black History Month is celebrated in the United States during the month of February, I believe in recognizing and honoring our history at all times. With that being said, I was recently floored when I heard a group of people of varying races talking about the Black Panther Party. Some of the words used in that conversation were: cop-killers, murderers, junkies, racists, and violent, just to name a few. I was genuinely hurt by the things I heard, most of which were extremely ignorant…to put it nicely. So I decided to dedicate this week's edition of the Black Column to educating readers just a bit on the Black Panther Party and what they were about.
In October of 1966, Huey Newton and Bobby Seale founded the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense. When starting the Panther Party, Newton and Seale intended for it to be a party whose agenda would be to have a revolutionary establishment of realeconomic, social, and political equality for all minorities. As time progressed, the Black Panther Party realized that it was becoming more and more evident that the Black community was constantly being ignored and wasn't receiving the help that was needed. The Panther Party started to take action. From the streets to jails, and even courthouses, the Black Panther Party made an impact. At times that impact wasn't always positive, but the fact still remains that they did just that, made an impact. The organization wanted change, and they felt that the time for it was right at that moment because waiting for change would accomplish nothing.
Despite the negativity and trials facing the Black Panther Party, they remained determined to make a difference and aid the Black community. They decided to hit the streets and help to put a greatly needed end to much of the gang violence. They directly contacted local gang members and kingpins throughout California and other states, and attempted to reach compromises with them. Say what you might about the Black Panthers, but they were willing to do what others were afraid to even attempt. While many politicians and leaders where talking about gang violence and trying to win elections with empty promises, the Panther Party dealt with it unswervingly; yet another positive action of that many people have never been told of.
The Panther Party pioneered coalition politics, and even formed alliances with Asian, White, and Latino radicals. Yes, their main goal was to help the Black Community, but in doing so they reached out even further. Along with supporting Blacks in their endeavors and helping minorities, the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense also aided other races in international liberation movements.
The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense was a group of people that went down in history as tough, and even radical. People hesitate to tell of the Black Panther's Free Breakfast for School Children Program that fed hundreds of children each and every day. Some other people may conveniently exclude from their memory the fact that the Panther Party wanted to tackle police brutality and put an end to the constant harassment that the Black community particularly faced. The Black Panther Party had a vision. When Huey Newton and Bobby Seale started the club, one can be almost completely confident that they never considered that it would be so negatively perceived throughout the world. Newton and Seale probably by no means intended for some of the views that are associated with the Black Panther Party to be what they are today. Those two men, however, did have a vision that meant something to a lot of different people then, and still means a lot to people today. It is my hope that in future years more light is shed on the party, and people stop being so ignorant about such a great and strong movement that rocked the world at a point in time.