For self defense?: Several new books say the Black Panthers' violence was rooted in poverty, racism and the cops

From: Chicago Sun-Times | Date: March 5, 2007| Author: Peter Monaghan | Copyright information

Was the Black Panthers Party built on violence or self-defense? In this excerpt from an essay in the Chronicle of Higher Education, Peter Monaghan reviews the evidence from several new books about the Panthers.

- - -

Forty years ago, about two dozen members of the Black Panthers did something now unthinkable in our era of terrorism and heightened security. They paraded into the California State Capitol on May 2, 1967, brandishing rifles and pistols. Ostensibly, they were dema...

Read all of this article with a FREE trial to HighBeam Research

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles from HighBeam Research

BLACK PANTHERS' SEALE: WE WEREN'T ABOUT VIOLENCE FORMER LEADER SAYS PARTY FOUGHT RACISM.(METRO)
The Capital Times (Madison, WI) ; Byline: Katrin Madayag The Capital Times The Black Panthers tried to fight institutional racism with grass-roots action and coalition-building, not violence, said Black Panthers Party co-founder Bobby Seale at a presentation at Edgewood College Thursday night. Donning a black beret, Seale dismissed
Black Panthers object to new group Recently formed organization is racist, original members say
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ; The New Black Panthers have a new foe. The old Black Panthers. The newcomers say they are fighting for justice just like the black power groups of the 1960s, demanding more blacks on Texas school boards and patrolling the grounds of burned churches while wearing black berets and sunglasses and
Black Panther Party cites 40-year journey
New Pittsburgh Courier ; INDIANAPOLIS (NNPA)-This year marks the 40th anniversary of the formation of the Black Panther Party, an organization that pushed the limits on what steps Blacks can take to protect themselves, achieve civil rights and become self-sufficient in their own communities. As surviving Black Panther
Activists revive the Black Panthers, at least in name: The new generation of African Americans is too radical for original members, who are suing the group.(USA)
The Christian Science Monitor ; Byline: Alexandra Marks Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor NEW YORK -- Dressed in his crisp black uniform, gold braids at the wrist to mark his title as national chairman, Malik Zulu Shabazz of the New Black Panther Party jabbed his finger at an old blown-up photo of two lynched black
Revisited: The Black Panther Party
The New Crisis ; Salim Muwakkil went straight to the Black Panther Party office in Jersey City, NJ., after his discharge from the U.S. Air Force in late 1969. Frustrated by the pacifism of civil rights leaders and embittered by his own experiences with police brutality, Muwakkil joined the militant Black Panthers
Touring the turbulent '60s; OAKLAND: Black Panthers `dispel some myths'
Daily Breeze ; Touring the turbulent '60s. OAKLAND: Black Panthers `dispel some myths' On a night in late April on the campus of the University of California at Berkeley, something big was happening -- I could feel it in the air. I had just lingered on the front steps of Sproul Hall, the administration building
NEW BLACK PANTHERS RILE FOUNDERS ORIGINATORS: GROUP TODAY IS RACIST, A BULLY.(NEWS)
The Cincinnati Post (Cincinnati, OH) ; Byline: Associated Press DALLAS -- The New Black Panthers have a new foe. The old Black Panthers. The newcomers say they are fighting for justice just like the black power groups of the 1960s, demanding more blacks on Texas school boards and patrolling the grounds of burned churches while wearing
Pub exhibit revives legend of local 'Black Panthers'
Jerusalem Post ; 00-00-0000 Headline: Pub exhibit revives legend of local 'Black Panthers' Byline: JENNY HAZAN Edition; Daily Section: Arts Page: 08 Tuesday, January 28, 2003 -- Warmth exuded from the cavern of Jerusalem pub, Diwan (4 Rehov Ben Sira) last Thursday, where a cozy crowd gathered for the launch of a
An insider's take on the Black Panthers; The group's former security head writes about life with Newton and the Black Panthers, but offers little reflection.(FEATURES)(BOOKS)(Book review)
The Christian Science Monitor ; Byline: Seth Stern Few groups in the 1960s counterculture enjoyed more cultural cachet - or a bigger cache of weapons - than the Black Panther Party. Their threats of armed revolution and shootouts with police attracted a loyal fan base in both inner cities and Hollywood, while frightening white
News and Views: Former Black Panthers Who Have Turned To Higher Education
The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education ; News and Views: Former Black Panthers Who Have Turned to Higher Education In 1966 the Black Panther Party was founded in Oakland, California ...