Arizona State University
HST 334 African American history since 1865
Unit II Lecture Notes
Spring 2022
The Black Panther Party: Radical Activism and Community Service
Introduction
A. Definition and background of the Black Panther Party
The Black Panther Party was a revolutionary organization founded in Oakland, California
in 1966 by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale.
The party's mission was to protect black communities from police brutality and racism, as
well as to empower them through education, health care, and other social services.
The party's symbol, the black panther, represented strength, courage, and self-defense.
B. Goals and philosophy of the party
The party's goals were outlined in its Ten-Point Program, which included demands for
freedom, full employment, decent housing, and an end to police brutality.
The party believed in black nationalism, which advocated for the political and economic
independence of black communities, as well as the importance of self-defense and armed
resistance against oppression.
C. Historical context: Civil Rights Movement and Black Power Movement
The Black Panther Party emerged in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement, which
sought to end racial discrimination and segregation through non-violent means.
The party was part of the larger Black Power Movement, which sought to redefine black
identity and culture, and to assert political and economic power in black communities.
The Black Panther Party's philosophy and tactics were influenced by a number of
historical and political factors, including the legacy of slavery and Jim Crow laws, the
Vietnam War, and the international struggle against colonialism and imperialism.
Formation of the Black Panther Party
A. Founders: Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale
The Black Panther Party was founded by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale in October
1966 in Oakland, California.
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Both Newton and Seale were activists who had previously been involved in community
organizing and political activism.
B. The Ten-Point Program
The Black Panther Party's Ten-Point Program was a list of demands that outlined the
party's goals and philosophy.
The program included demands for full employment, decent housing, education, and an
end to police brutality and the criminalization of black communities.
The program also advocated for the right to self-defense and the establishment of a
socialist economy.
C. The party's organization and structure
The Black Panther Party was organized as a paramilitary organization, with members
wearing black berets and carrying weapons.
The party had a hierarchical structure, with a centralized leadership and a system of
discipline and punishment for members who violated party rules.
The party also had a network of community-based programs, including free breakfast
programs, health clinics, and legal aid services.
III. Radical Activism
Introduction:
Radical Activism is a multifaceted movement that seeks to address issues of social
inequality and oppression. This movement is rooted in a philosophy that challenges the
status quo and advocates for change.
In this lecture, we will focus on three important aspects of Radical Activism - Armed
self-defense, Police monitoring and community control, and Advocacy for black rights
and liberation.
I. Armed Self-Defense:
Armed self-defense refers to the use of force or weapons to protect oneself, one's
community, or one's rights.
Armed self-defense has been a key aspect of the struggle for civil rights in the United
States. In the 1960s, groups such as the Black Panther Party advocated for armed self-
defense as a means of protecting their communities from police brutality and racist
attacks.
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The Black Panther Party's advocacy of armed self-defense was controversial and met
with resistance from the government, which saw it as a threat to law and order. However,
the party argued that they had the right to defend themselves against police brutality and
racist attacks.
Advocates of nonviolent self-defense argue that it is more effective in achieving social
change than armed self-defense, as it does not resort to violence. However, advocates of
armed self-defense argue that it is necessary in situations where nonviolence is not
effective.
Malcolm X, a prominent Civil Rights activist, was a proponent of armed self-defense. In
his autobiography, he argues that African Americans have the right to defend themselves
against racist attacks and police brutality.
II. Police Monitoring and Community Control:
Police monitoring and community control refer to the idea that communities should have
more control over the police who serve them.
Police monitoring involves the use of citizen oversight to monitor police behavior and
hold them accountable for their actions. Community control, on the other hand, involves
the creation of community-based organizations that have the power to hire, fire, and
discipline police officers.
In the Civil Rights Movement, police monitoring and community control were used as a
means of combating police brutality and racist practices within law enforcement.
Proponents of police monitoring and community control argue that it is necessary to
ensure that police officers are held accountable for their actions and that the communities
they serve have a say in how they are policed.
Angela Davis, a prominent Civil Rights activist and scholar, has written extensively on
the need for police monitoring and community control. In her book, "Are Prisons
Obsolete?", she argues that the prison system is inherently racist and that community
control over the police is necessary to address this.
III. Advocacy for Black Rights and Liberation:
Advocacy for black rights and liberation refers to the idea that African Americans should
be granted equal rights and freedoms in society.
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In the Civil Rights Movement, advocacy for black rights and liberation was a central
goal. Activists worked to challenge the legal and social barriers that prevented African
Americans from participating fully in society.
The concept of colorblindness, which holds that race should not be a factor in social or
political decision-making, has been criticized by some activists as a way of ignoring the
systemic inequalities that continue to affect African Americans.
Bell Hooks, a prominent scholar and activist, has written extensively on the need for
advocacy for black rights and liberation. In her book, "The Will to Change: Men,
Masculinity, and Love," she argues that African Americans must work to challenge the
social and political structures that perpetuate racism and inequality.
Radical Activism encompasses a wide range of strategies and tactics aimed at creating
social change and challenging existing power structures.
Armed self-defense, police monitoring and community control, and advocacy for black
rights
Community Service
Community Service is a fundamental aspect of social activism and is often used as a
means of providing direct assistance to those in need.
In this lecture, we will focus on three important aspects of Community Service - The Free
Breakfast Program, Health clinics and other social services, and the impact of these
programs on the community.
I. The Free Breakfast Program:
The Free Breakfast Program was a community service initiative launched by the Black
Panther Party in the 1960s.
The program was designed to provide free breakfast to children in low-income
neighborhoods who could not afford to eat breakfast at home.
The Free Breakfast Program was successful in addressing the issue of hunger among
children in these communities, and it quickly gained popularity across the country.
The program was not just about providing breakfast but also about building relationships
between the Black Panther Party and the communities they served.
Bobby Seale, co-founder of the Black Panther Party, has written extensively on the Free
Breakfast Program and its impact on the community. In his book, "Seize the Time: The
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Story of the Black Panther Party and Huey P. Newton," he argues that the program
helped to create a sense of community and solidarity among African Americans.
II. Health clinics and other social services:
In addition to the Free Breakfast Program, the Black Panther Party also provided health
clinics and other social services to communities in need.
These clinics provided healthcare services to African Americans who were unable to
access healthcare due to poverty or discrimination.
The Black Panther Party also provided legal assistance, housing support, and education
programs to communities in need.
The provision of these social services was a key aspect of the Black Panther Party's
community organizing efforts.
Alondra Nelson, a scholar of African American Studies, has written extensively on the
Black Panther Party's social services programs. In her book, "Body and Soul: The Black
Panther Party and the Fight Against Medical Discrimination," she argues that the Party's
healthcare clinics were particularly important in addressing the issue of medical
discrimination against African Americans.
III. The Party's Impact on the Community:
The Black Panther Party's community service programs had a significant impact on the
communities they served.
The Party's programs helped to address issues of poverty, hunger, healthcare access, and
discrimination.
The Party's community organizing efforts also helped to build a sense of community and
solidarity among African Americans.
However, the Black Panther Party's programs were not without controversy. The
government saw them as a threat to law and order, and the Party faced significant
opposition from law enforcement.
Kathleen Cleaver, a former member of the Black Panther Party, has written extensively
on the Party's impact on the community. In her book, "Liberation, Imagination, and the
Black Panther Party: A New Look at the Panthers and Their Legacy," she argues that the
Party's community service programs helped to empower and uplift African American
communities.
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Community Service is a crucial aspect of social activism and is often used as a means of
providing direct assistance to those in need.
The Black Panther Party's community service programs, including the Free Breakfast
Program and healthcare clinics, had a significant impact on the communities they served.
These programs helped to address issues of poverty, hunger, healthcare access, and
discrimination, and helped to build a sense of community and solidarity among African
Americans.
The Black Panther Party and Government Response
A. FBI surveillance and COINTELPRO
The Black Panther Party (BPP) was a revolutionary political organization that emerged in
the United States in 1966 to address the systemic racism and oppression faced by African
Americans and other marginalized groups.
The party's efforts were met with harsh government repression, particularly through FBI
surveillance and COINTELPRO, which sought to disrupt and dismantle the party.
According to Ward Churchill, author of "Agents of Repression: The FBI's Secret Wars
Against the Black Panther Party and the American Indian Movement," the FBI's tactics
included wiretapping, planting informants, and spreading false rumors to sow dissent
within the party.
Similarly, Kathleen Cleaver, former Communications Secretary of the BPP, described the
extent of FBI surveillance in her book "Liberation, Imagination, and the Black Panther
Party." Cleaver detailed how the FBI monitored the party's every move, from its
leadership to rank-and-file members, and used informants to infiltrate the party's inner
circle.
The FBI's Counterintelligence Program (COINTELPRO) was a covert operation
launched in the 1950s to surveil and disrupt groups deemed subversive by the
government. The BPP was a primary target of COINTELPRO, and the FBI's surveillance
of the party was extensive.
B. The party's internal conflicts and decline
While government repression played a significant role in the BPP's decline, the party also
faced internal conflicts and challenges.
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In her book, "A Taste of Power: A Black Woman's Story," Elaine Brown, former
chairwoman of the BPP, described how sexism and patriarchy within the party often
overshadowed the goals of the organization.
Brown wrote that many male party members refused to take orders from female leaders,
which led to power struggles and infighting.
Similarly, in "The Black Panthers Speak," co-editor Philip S. Foner noted that
factionalism and differing ideological views also contributed to the party's decline.
Foner wrote that while the BPP initially focused on community organizing and self-
defense, some members advocated for armed revolution and saw violence as the only
means of achieving their goals. This shift in ideology led to a schism within the party,
with some members leaving to form their own groups.
C. Legacy and impact of the Black Panther Party
Despite its dissolution in the 1980s, the BPP's legacy and impact continue to be felt
today.
In "Black Against Empire: The History and Politics of the Black Panther Party," authors
Joshua Bloom and Waldo E. Martin Jr. argued that the party's approach to community
organizing and social justice had a lasting impact on American politics.
They wrote that the BPP's programs, such as free breakfast programs and health clinics,
paved the way for similar initiatives by other organizations.
Similarly, in "The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution," filmmaker Stanley
Nelson examined the BPP's legacy through interviews with former party members and
experts.
Nelson argued that the party's efforts to address police brutality and systemic racism
helped spark a national conversation about these issues. He also noted that the party's
focus on community organizing and self-determination inspired other social justice
movements.
The Black Panther Party's history is a complex one, shaped by both government repression and
internal conflicts. Nevertheless, the party's legacy and impact continue to be felt today, as the
fight against systemic racism and oppression persists. The party's efforts to address social justice
issues through community organizing and direct action inspired other social justice movements
and paved the way for similar initiatives by other organizations.
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Reflection on the Black Panther Party
A. Significance of the Black Panther Party in American history
The Black Panther Party (BPP) was a revolutionary political organization that emerged in
the United States in 1966 to address the systemic racism and oppression faced by African
Americans and other marginalized groups.
The BPP's significance in American history lies in its efforts to challenge the status quo
and advocate for social justice.
In "The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution," filmmaker Stanley Nelson noted
that the BPP's efforts to address police brutality and systemic racism helped spark a
national conversation about these issues.
The party's focus on community organizing and self-determination also paved the way
for similar initiatives by other organizations.
Similarly, in "Black Against Empire: The History and Politics of the Black Panther
Party," authors Joshua Bloom and Waldo E. Martin Jr. argued that the BPP's programs,
such as free breakfast programs and health clinics, had a lasting impact on American
politics.
B. Reflection on the relevance of the party's ideas and actions today
The BPP's ideas and actions are still relevant today, particularly in the fight against
systemic racism and oppression.
In "The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution," former party member Ericka
Huggins reflected on the importance of the BPP's focus on self-determination and
community organizing, noting that these ideas are still relevant today.
Similarly, in "Black Against Empire: The History and Politics of the Black Panther
Party," Bloom and Martin argued that the party's efforts to address police brutality and
systemic racism are still relevant today, given the ongoing struggles faced by African
Americans and other marginalized groups.
The party's focus on providing basic needs, such as free breakfast programs and health
clinics, also speaks to the importance of addressing economic and social inequality in
society today.
C. Lessons learned from the Black Panther Party
The BPP's history offers several lessons for contemporary social justice movements.
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In "A Taste of Power: A Black Woman's Story," former BPP leader Elaine Brown
reflected on the importance of building a strong organizational structure and engaging in
political education.
Similarly, in "The Black Panthers Speak," co-editor Philip S. Foner noted the importance
of balancing ideological purity with the practical realities of political organizing.
The BPP's experience also highlights the dangers of government repression and the
importance of protecting civil liberties.
In "Agents of Repression: The FBI's Secret Wars Against the Black Panther Party and the
American Indian Movement," Ward Churchill highlighted the extent of FBI surveillance
and infiltration of the BPP and the devastating impact it had on the party's ability to
organize and advocate for social justice.
The Black Panther Party's legacy continues to be felt today, particularly in the fight against
systemic racism and oppression. The party's focus on community organizing, self-determination,
and direct action paved the way for other social justice movements and provided valuable lessons
for contemporary activism. The BPP's experience also highlights the dangers of government
repression and the importance of protecting civil liberties.
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References
Bloom, J. (2016). Black against empire: The history and politics of the Black Panther Party.
University of California Press.
Bloom, J. (2016). Black against empire: The history and politics of the Black Panther Party.
University of California Press.
Bloom, J., & Martin Jr., W. E. (2016). Black against empire: The history and politics of the
Black Panther Party. University of California Press.
Brown, E. (1992). A taste of power: A Black woman's story. Anchor Books.
Churchill, W. (1988). Agents of repression: The FBI's secret wars against the Black Panther
Party and the American Indian Movement. South End Press.
Foner, P. S. (1970). The Black Panthers Speak. Lancer Books.
Hilliard, D., & Cole, L. (1993). Huey: Spirit of the Panther. Thunder's Mouth Press.
Joseph, P. E. (2006). Waiting 'til the midnight hour: A narrative history of Black power in
America. Henry Holt and Company.
Joseph, P. E. (2006). Waiting 'til the midnight hour: A narrative history of Black power in
America. Henry Holt and Company.
Marable, M. (1995). Race, reform, and rebellion: The second Reconstruction in Black America,
1945-1990. University Press of Mississippi.
Nelson, S. (Director). (2015). The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution [Documentary].
PBS.
Williams, Y. K. (2019). The Black Panther Party in a city near you. Journal of Pan African
Studies, 12(4), 80-97.
Williams, Y. K. (2019). The Black Panther Party in a city near you. Journal of Pan African
Studies, 12(4), 80-97.
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