Definition of Black Panther Party

In the 1960s, the African-American community in the United States was going through a difficult time. Civil rights were not recognized and there was racial segregation in daily life and in institutions. Faced with this situation, blacks in the United States had two options: to accept their status social or rebel. The Black Panther Party, popularly known as the Black Panthers, is an example of the second way. They called themselves with this name because the panther is an animal that does not initially attack, but if it feels threatened it reacts energetically.

This organization was founded by a group of university students in 1966

In their first self-defense actions, students took to the streets of the city of Oakland to fight the police who repressed blacks. Soon black panthers became very popular for their singular aesthetics: leather jacket, a beret and a weapon to protect yourself.

With his attitude Faced with repression, they wanted to show pride in being black. Instead of running away or hiding, they decided to take to the streets and fight injustices.

Their political proposals were summarized in a ten-section program that included social rights, equality before the law, and an end to police violence.

His ideology was a combination of the different currents of the time: anti-racism, pride of African-American culture and socialism revolutionary. At the same time, they organized assistance programs for kids blacks from the poorest neighborhoods. Some of its members were involved in illegal activities and terrorist attacks.

There are two antagonistic versions about this movementSome claim that its members were the true protagonists of racial emancipation and others consider that they were actually a group of well-organized criminals.

His claims were known around the world when two African American athletes (Tommie Smith and John Carlos) raised their fists on the podium of the Olympic Games from Mexico in 1968. This gesture was very expensive for them, as the United States Olympic Committee withdrew their medals and both athletes were accused of being unpatriotic and radical extremists.

Malcom X and Luther King as sources of inspiration for the black community

Many young black men from the poor neighborhoods were drawn to the ideals of the black panthers. Those youngsters were also inspired by a legendary figure, Malcom X. They saw in him a Leader combative who did not resign himself to oppression. On the contrary, for the radicalized black community the pacifist discourse of Luther King did not seem to them interesting, because they considered it to be a way of turning the other cheek to the repression of man White.

Fotolia photos: Andranik / Lenka