3. Freedom and the right to determine the destiny of the Black Community
The goal of the Black Panther Party was to promote the power of the people, and allow from them to fight for themselves10. It allowed for people with no voice to speak out, and have a say in their desity11. The Party wanted retrials for black men in jail who were wrongfully accused, and justice for black men in trial12. They were determined to no longer struggle against the oppressor and have a say in what they do13.
4. Organizing programs to meet the needs of the black community
Survival programs were created to support the black community and focused on the needs of the ordinary people14. Programs such as the Breakfast Program for School Children, Housing Advocacy Programs, Health Clinics and Medical Research, Child Development Center, etc., were all programs created in order to service black communities around the United States15. These programs satisfied the immediate needs of people and also educated youth on black history16. Furthermore, the Party received help and volunteers from those who would otherwise not be attracted to the violent side of the Party and these programs were agreed to be the most lasting effects of the Party17.
Word Count: 439
C. Evaluation of Sources
Jones, Charles Earl. “Reconsidering Panther History: The Untold Story.” in The Black Panther Party (Reconsidered). Ed. C. Jones. Baltimore: Black Classic Press, 1998.
The origin of this book is that it was edited by Charles Earl Jones, a professor of African-America studies at Georgia State University, and was published by Black Classic Press in 1998. The purpose of this book is to provide a detailed overview on the Black Panther party from many different perspectives. The value is that it provides a clear and concise understanding on a variety of topics affecting the Black Panthers. A limitation of this book is that it only considers the Black Panthers in a positive light and does not focus on the negative aspects of the party.
Major, Reginald. The Panther is a Black Cat. Baltimore: Black Classic Press, 1971.
The origin of this books it that it was written by Reginald Major, an active member of the Black Panther Party, and it was published by Black Classic Press in 1971. The purpose of this book is that it provides a unique perspective of the Black Panther Party, and provides and insider’s view on how the party was formed. The value of this book is that it provides and eye witness account of all the conditions leading to the formation of the Black Panther Party. However, a limitation is that it was published in 1971, only five years after the formation of the Party and does not have information after 1971. Another limitation is that it is a very pro-biased view and because of the publication date it does not have the knowledge gained from hindsight.
Word Count: 276
D. Analysis
After the death of Malcolm X, the Black Panther Party was the most influential and effective leadership role in the Black communities18. The Black Panthers had many aims, predominantly describe in the 10 point program and throughout the active years of the party. It had a significant impact on the people of all races, United States and worldwide. Black Panther Parties were beginning to emerge in countries such as Israel, England, Australia and India, where civil rights was an issue and people were continued to be suppressed19. The Party had caused a revolutionary change in the mindset of the people and because of their determination and persistency, they are one of the reasons segregation and public racism no longer exists today.
Equality was one of the most important focuses of the Black Panther Party; it was the main reason the Party had fought so hard for. To be equal with the white man would indefinitely change all of the USA and would eventually contribute a change worldwide. No longer would the white male oppressor control the other inferior race, simply because of the colour of his skin. The party aimed to end white dominance in a social environment and it caused and impact on police brutality and the oppression of women. Police brutality was very popular in the ghettos, and the goal of the Black Panther Party was to end this act of violence and allow Black People to defend themselves20. The Party was a strong believer in the right to bear arms, and according to Bush, violence was justified, as it was an act of self-defence21. The support the Black Panthers gave to the black community caused police brutality to decrease by a significant amount22. The Black Panther Party also had an impact on the repression of women and although Phillip and Earl are not in complete agreement about the involvement of women in the Black Panthers, it is generally accepted that the Black Panthers were emerged in women’s liberation, one of the few groups interested at that time23.
The African-Americans felt as if they were slaved in a free country, they did not have the power to speak out or to determine who they were. The Black Panther Party aimed to change this issue; they aimed for freedom for the Black community and the ability to determine their own destiny. If this aim was to be satisfied it would impact the power equation between the relationships of the Blacks and Whites24. The Black Panthers not only wanted freedom from the racist society but form the legal system as well. Major believed the legal system continued to deny black people justice25. This hinders the evolution of the Black society and destroys the moral of all Black people. Blacks who are enslaved by society for so long will eventually revolt against the enslaver, causing harm to both parties. The Black Panthers bandaged the wounds developed from the enslavement by aiding fellow Black people and forcing freedom from the oppressor.
One of the most lasting effects that the Black Panthers had was the founding of the survival programs which focused on the needs of ordinary people26. One very revolutionary program was the “Breakfast for School Children”, where children and young adults can receive a free breakfast before they go to school27. This program had allowed children to receive a well-nourished meal, but also allowed youth to stay off the street by helping to volunteer. The programs had created a softer and gentler image of the Black Panthers in the eyes of the public. It had confirmed that the Party was no longer just a liberation front, but a front to help the direct needs of those in their community.
Word Count: 621
E. Conclusion
The aims of the Black Panther Party was putting an end to white dominance in a social environment, wanting the freedom and right to determine the destiny of the Black community and organizing programs to meet the needs of the Black community and the impacts it had on society. These aims were achieved by the countless efforts of members of the Black Panther Party and it had a huge impact on the civil rights movement and desegregation. In addition the Black Panther Party was able to influence people all around the world to no longer be oppressed and stand up and take a position for what you believe in.
Word Count: 111
F. List of Sources
ENDNOTES
1Charles E. Jones, “Reconsidering Panther History: The Untold Story.” in The Black Panther Party (Reconsidered) Ed. C. Jones, (Baltimore: Black Classic Press, 1998), p. 2.
2Ibid., p. 7.
3Phillip S. Jones, The Panther Party Speaks (Cambridge: Da Capo Press, 1995), p. 13.
4George Katsiaficas, “Organization and Movement: The Case of the Black Panther Party and the Revolutionary People’s Constitutional Connection of 1970.” in In Search of the Black Panther Party Eds. J. Lazerow and Y. William, (London: Duke University Press, 2006), p. 143.
5Ibid., p. 61.
6Jones, p. 29.
7Rod Bush, “The Panthers and the Question of Violence.” in In Search of the Black Panther Eds. J. Lazerow and Y. Williams, (London: Duke University Press, 2006), p. 60.
8Katsiaficas, p. 144.
9Earl, p. 26.
10Bush, p. 65.
11Ibid., p. 66.
12Reginald Major, The Panther is a Black Cat (Baltimore: Black Classic Press, 1971), p. 63.
13Katsiaficas, p. 59.
14Floyd W. Hayes and Francis A. Keine, “All Power to the People: The Political Thoughts of Huey P. Newton and the Black Panther Party.” in The Black Panther Party (Reconsidered), Ed. C. Jones, (Baltimore: Black Classic Press, 1998), p. 159.
15Earl, p. 30.
16Ibid., p. 29.
17Major, p. 60.
18Phillip, p. xxv.
19Earl, p. 37.
20Bush, p. 65.
21Ibid., p. 66.
22Phillip, p. xxvii.
23Earl, p. 7.
24Major, p. 61.
25Ibid., p. 63.
26Floyd W. Hayes and Francis A. Keine, p. 159.
27“Breakfast for School Children”, The Black Panther Intercommunal News Service, (19 January 1969), p.16.
F. List of Sources
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bush, Rod. “The Panthers and the Question of Violence.” in In Search of the Black Panther. Eds. J. Lazerow and Y. Williams. London: Duke University Press, 2006.
“Breakfast for School Children” The Black Panther Intercommunal News Service. 19 January 1969. p.16
Foner, Phillip S. The Panther Party Speaks. Cambridge: Da Capo Press, 1995.
Hayes, Floyd W. and Francis A. Keine. “All Power to the People: The Political Thoughts of Huey P. Newton and the Black Panther Party.” in The Black Panther Party (Reconsidered). Ed. C. Jones. Baltimore: Black Classic Press, 1998.
Jones, Charles Earl. “Reconsidering Panther History: The Untold Story.” in The Black Panther Party (Reconsidered). Ed. C. Jones. Baltimore: Black Classic Press, 1998.
Katsiaficas, George. “Organization and Movement: The Case of the Black Panther Party and the Revolutionary People’s Constitutional Connection of 1970.” in In Search of the Black Panther Party. Eds. J. Lazerow and Y. Williams. London: Duke University Press, 2006.
Major, Reginald. The Panther is a Black Cat. Baltimore: Black Classic Press, 1971.
