Soci 370/NewtonSeale

Black Panther Party: What We Want

Points 1-5: Crystal Lau

The first half of the Black Panther Party’s Ten Point Program pertains to changes and actions that must be done in order to effectively lift Black communities in America out of systematic oppression. A brief outline of the first five demands is as follows:

1. Power to control their lives through complete control of institutions in Black communities
2. Government should assume responsibility to ensure employment, control of “means of production” (p. 279) should be seized from businessmen and given to community
3. Long overdue land restitutions that were promised after the Civil War
4. Housing should be made into co-ops so community can build decent housing
5. Access to education that teaches accurate accounts of Black history

As the Black Panther Party was established during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, many of their demands centre around the oppression of Black communities through institutions such as education, industry, and government. It is also important to note the usage of Marxist jargon and ideology in the second point in addressing the removal of power over the means of production from the businessmen, or capitalists, to the community.
While segregation and slavery is no longer written into laws in the United States, institutional racism persists today. The systematic withdrawal of government investment from Black neighbourhoods have resulted in significant declines in the quality of education and infrastructure in the community. Considering the present situation of racial relations, which demand, in your opinion, should be prioritized in order to uplift Black communities and move the United States towards the idyllic, post-racial society?

Comment from Rita (Qiao) Li: It is indeed a serious issue about the racism towards Blacks, even until the present day. In my opinion, I believe the priority should be given to their access to education. Even the education difference in nowadays is subtle, it is still very important for all the kids to go to "the same" school. The key point here is not to go to school, it is to provide them with all the same chances to get access to good schools. Sometimes, due to the systematic barriers, children of Blacks are blocked to register in the same schools as White's. Some of them might not have the financial ability to afford those schools, or they do not have the power or network to put their children in. This is like a chain. If you do not have these things first, you do not get the chance to go further. And many of these are targeting on Blacks. So, to get a good education chance is quite essential, regards of the racial issue.

Points 6-10: Nicole

The Black Panther’s 10 point program are statements about what the party wants and believes; the second half of this list mainly address issues related to black lives and violence. They believe that all men are equal and have certain right such as those they outline.

6. Black men should be exempt from military service because we will not fight for a racist government

7. Want police brutality to end

8. Want all Blacks freed from jail because they have not had a fair trial

9. Want Blacks to be tried by a jury of their peer group as allowed by the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution

10. Want land, bread, housing, education, clothing, justice and peace

The article also mentions that governments should be established to maintain the rights of all people and if the government is found to be corrupt, the people have the right to install a new government. This excerpt is relatable to the cases of fatal shootings of black people such as Alton Sterling in Louisiana which is a display of unnecessary violence by police . In addition, wrongful convictions such as of Glenn Ford who was on death row for 30 years before he was exonerated represents point #9 . What might others such as Wilson and DuBois comment regarding these 10 points or current phenomena?

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Rules of the Black Panther Party: Francisco

The Black Panther party was founded on the ideals black nationalism and socialism, aiming to protect black people from what they referred to as the racist government of the United States (Newton and Seal 279); in order to make sure that the black community didn't suffer the effects of racism or inequality. However later on they adopted a more radical marxist revolutionary ideology. This organization was governed by a set of rules that all members had to follow in order to ensure the success of the party. Essentially in addition to knowing and understanding the Ten Point Program, they were forbidden from being under the influence of drugs or alcohol or any other substances that could prevent them from working for the party; and from causing any sort of harm or crime to a member of the party or a black citizen. This set of rules is relatable to others adopted by other organizations such as the SDS and the Youth International Party . However in this case, due to the violent nature of some of this party, the real question is to what extent were their members willing to obey these rules or were they willing to ignore them if they consider them as an obstacle to their goals.

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