The black panthers, led by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale, accomplished a significant amount of achievements since it began in October of 1966. During this period of time it was difficult for African Americans to strive. In order to provide not only protection but financial and educational help, the black panthers made their voices known. They used self defense in order to gain respect from the white community.[1] Even if that meant carrying concealed weapons everywhere they went. During this period of time it was legal to do so. On May 2, 1967, in Sacramento, CA, A group of thirty Black Panther members dressed in black leather jackets, berets and dark glasses. They approached the entrance of the capitol building with firearms pointed to the sky. As they approached the entrance to the capitol building, Governor Ronald
Reagan, speaking to a cluster of schoolchildren nearby, caught sight of them
and ran.[2] Still marching in tight formation, the group reached the steps, faced
the crowd, and listened attentively as their leader, Bobby Seale, read
Executive Mandate Number One of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense to the
startled audience.[3] The mandate, addressed to “the American people in general and the black people in particular,” details the “terror, brutality, murder, and repression of black people” practiced by “the racist power structure of America,” and concluded that “the time has come for black people to arm themselves against this terror before it is too late.” Cameras flashed as Seale finished reading and the defiant group proceeded into the building. The Panthers wound up on the Assembly floor, where the Mulford Act, aimed to prohibit citizens from carrying loaded firearms on their persons or in their vehicles, was being debated.Legislators dived under desks, screaming, “Don’t shoot!” and security guards
hurriedly surrounded the party, grabbing at weapons and herding everyone into
the hallway. All the while cameramen and reporters ran back and forth and one
managed to shout "Who are you?” before the assembly was led into an
elevator. Sixteen-year-old “little” Bobby Hutton was the first to reply, and
his words remained an echo in the hallway just before the doors slid shut with
a soft hiss: “We’re the Black Panthers. We’re black people with guns.[4] What
about it?” Different forms of gun control are as old as the Republic, and the amendment was not interpreted as an absolute in the early days of the United States. For example, slaves and freed blacks were barred from gun ownership by Democrats, reflecting fears that African-Americans would revolt. [5] The Black Codes of the post-Civil War South were designed to dis-empower blacks and reestablish white rule. This movement made whites realize that the African Americans meant business.They began to fear blacks, which was a bitter sweet thing. They wanted equality not fear.[6]
The Ten Point Program was a basic platform to what the people wanted and what he envisioned for their future. A lot of good came out of this program and gave blacks an opportunity to strive for perfection.[8] In this ten point program the very first point was “we want power to determine our own destiny in our own black community”. The beauty of the organization however, was the way they approached all of the issues. Although they were sometimes seen as violent, they were all very well aware of the laws. [10]
Their impact was everlasting.They were able to push toward freedom and eventually gain equal rights. By using self-defense and use of politics toward people of the law allowed them to overcome obstacles. The Black Panther Party influenced their people to stand up for what they believe in. They also made it possible for blacks to receive proper, education, medical attention and employment.[11]
Notes:
[1] Film. 2 May 2013. <http://www.blacktv247.com/videodetail.asp?VideoID=1794>.
[2] Film. 2 May 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPP0hiLuxdQ>.
[3] . N.p.. Web. 2 May 2013. <http://www.aarp.org/politics-society/history/info-08-2010/where_are_they_now_bobby_seale.html>.
[4] . N.p.. Web. 2 May 2013. <http://africanamericanquotes.org/bobby-seale.html>.
[5] Ibid.
[6] . N.p.. Web. 2 May 2013. <http://www.bobbyseale.com/polylectic.html>.
[7] Ibid.
[8]. N.p.. Web. 2 May 2013. <http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/b/bobby_seale.html>.
[9] N.p.. Web. 13 Apr 2013. <http://www.historyinanhour.com/2012/06/15/malcolm-x-black-panthers/>.).
[10] . N.p.. Web. 2 May 2013. <http://thenewliberator.wordpress.com/2009/08/06/bobby-
Seale, Bobby. Telephone Interview. 18 February 2012
[11] Seize the Time: The Story of the Black Panther Party and Huey P. Newton, Random House, 1970
The Ten Point Program was a basic platform to what the people wanted and what he envisioned for their future. A lot of good came out of this program and gave blacks an opportunity to strive for perfection.[8] In this ten point program the very first point was “we want power to determine our own destiny in our own black community”. The beauty of the organization however, was the way they approached all of the issues. Although they were sometimes seen as violent, they were all very well aware of the laws. [10]
Their impact was everlasting.They were able to push toward freedom and eventually gain equal rights. By using self-defense and use of politics toward people of the law allowed them to overcome obstacles. The Black Panther Party influenced their people to stand up for what they believe in. They also made it possible for blacks to receive proper, education, medical attention and employment.[11]
Notes:
[1] Film. 2 May 2013. <http://www.blacktv247.com/videodetail.asp?VideoID=1794>.
[2] Film. 2 May 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPP0hiLuxdQ>.
[3] . N.p.. Web. 2 May 2013. <http://www.aarp.org/politics-society/history/info-08-2010/where_are_they_now_bobby_seale.html>.
[4] . N.p.. Web. 2 May 2013. <http://africanamericanquotes.org/bobby-seale.html>.
[5] Ibid.
[6] . N.p.. Web. 2 May 2013. <http://www.bobbyseale.com/polylectic.html>.
[7] Ibid.
[8]. N.p.. Web. 2 May 2013. <http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/b/bobby_seale.html>.
[9] N.p.. Web. 13 Apr 2013. <http://www.historyinanhour.com/2012/06/15/malcolm-x-black-panthers/>.).
[10] . N.p.. Web. 2 May 2013. <http://thenewliberator.wordpress.com/2009/08/06/bobby-
Seale, Bobby. Telephone Interview. 18 February 2012
[11] Seize the Time: The Story of the Black Panther Party and Huey P. Newton, Random House, 1970