Black Panthers

[skitty]

I recently read Panther Baby by Jamal Joseph, ISBN-10: 1565129504; and gained a lot of respect for the Panthers. I didn't see it mentioned over at the Panther tendency/group section. I saw Jamal Joseph on CSPAN or similar, speaking at the Philly public library and was impressed enough to buy the book.

[Ostrinski]

Survival Pending Revolution: The History of the Black Panther Party by Paul Alkebulan is a solid piece of historical literature on the subject.

[Let's Get Free]

Try reading "The Black Panthers Speak." It's probably one of the best books out there for people who want to know what the Panthers stood for. It's not about anybody's interpretation of what the Panthers were about, just speeches, letters, and court transcripts of Black Panther Party members.

[Os Cangaceiros]

Are either of these works critical of the BPP?

A lot of the times it seems that anything I read about the BPP back in the late 60's/early 70's is skewed, either by stereotypes/misrepresentations of what the BPP tried to achieve, which comes mostly from right-leaning sources, or the creation of a charicature of the BPP as an organization full of heroic martyrs, mostly from left-leaning sources (a good example of this is the movie "Panther", I guess). Anything that approaches the subject with nuance?

[skitty]

I thought Joseph was honest; and was critical of himself and others.

[Ostrinski]

Are either of these works critical of the BPP?

A lot of the times it seems that anything I read about the BPP back in the late 60's/early 70's is skewed, either by stereotypes/misrepresentations of what the BPP tried to achieve, which comes mostly from right-leaning sources, or the creation of a charicature of the BPP as an organization full of heroic martyrs, mostly from left-leaning sources (a good example of this is the movie "Panther", I guess). Anything that approaches the subject with nuance?While Survival Pending Revolution would probably be considered to be geared toward the latter (by folks on the right at least), it takes a more analytical approach to studying the tactics, strategies, and evolution of the party than most literature on the subject out there.

[Mr. Natural]

I cheered at the Berkeley Community Theater as a radically drugged-out Eldridge Cleaver repeatedly referred to "Motherfucking Alioto" (then mayor of San Francisco) and "motherfucked" this and that. How revolutionary! Then I spent ten days in Santa Rita County Jail after a non-violent sit-in at UC-Berkeley that was protesting the university's refusal to allow Cleaver to lecture.

Huey Newton was right on when he wrote "You can't fight white racism with black racism" and in his opposition to homophobia. I waved the Red Book at rallies as he spoke. However, despite some excellent political sensibilities and organizational talent, Newton was also a thug, and the Panthers seemed to rapidly degenerate into thuggery and rampant drug abuse. Newton murdered a prostitute when she wouldn't give him free head, and he died on the street as a pathetic crackhead.

Of course, Hoover and the FBI and the US government had a lot to do with the decline of the Panthers. Infiltration, subversion, and murder were common, effectively applied methods.

I've not read any of the books on the Panthers, but if they are any good they will contain lessons to be learned about the perils of organizing in the US or any other advanced capitalist country. Effective revolutionary organizing can be done, but I will suggest that violent tactics and strategies cannot work against the power of current capitalist states. Violent approaches are also a non-starter with the vast majority of the people we must engage.

There were many brave, committed, principled people both in the Black Panthers and associated with them. I'll end with that. My red-green best.

[The Douche]

Yikes, let's not use pejorative terms like "pathetic crackhead".

[Mr. Natural]

Douche, I'm surprised you objected to my observation Newton died on the streets "as a pathetic crackhead." Please notice that "as" and that I had given him some respect earlier.

But that is indeed how Newton died. He was often homeless and wandered the streets hustling or strong-arming his crack, and he was killed doing this.

So were you objecting to "pathetic crackhead" as a matter of administration, or because you found it to be in simple bad taste? I try to watch my manners at Revleft, so what's up here?

My red-green, usually-well-mannered best.

[skitty]

Howdy Mr. Natural, I think you would approve of Panther Baby. Best wishes for the Triangle!

[Os Cangaceiros]

It does seem to me that some people within the BPP used the party as a vehicle for them to "do dirt", settle scores and such.

[The Douche]

Douche, I'm surprised you objected to my observation Newton died on the streets "as a pathetic crackhead." Please notice that "as" and that I had given him some respect earlier.

But that is indeed how Newton died. He was often homeless and wandered the streets hustling or strong-arming his crack, and he was killed doing this.

So were you objecting to "pathetic crackhead" as a matter of administration, or because you found it to be in simple bad taste? I try to watch my manners at Revleft, so what's up here?

My red-green, usually-well-mannered best.

I assumed you were using the terms literally, and that you weren't out to soil the image of Newton, but the turn of phrase "pathetic crackhead" certainly doesn't imply the kind of empathy that we should have for any individual sufferring from drug addiction, and especially a former comrade.

So I don't think you meant ill will, but those terms sort of imply it.

[KurtFF8]

Are either of these works critical of the BPP?

A lot of the times it seems that anything I read about the BPP back in the late 60's/early 70's is skewed, either by stereotypes/misrepresentations of what the BPP tried to achieve, which comes mostly from right-leaning sources, or the creation of a charicature of the BPP as an organization full of heroic martyrs, mostly from left-leaning sources (a good example of this is the movie "Panther", I guess). Anything that approaches the subject with nuance?

I felt that the film Panther did a decent take on the increasing in-fighting and paranoia that state surveillance and repression helped to facilitate