Black Panther Party Photo History-Commentary

The photo essay was the most enjoyable assignment to date. Not that writing an essay on the history of Valentine’s Day or reviewing the History Channel’s website were not fun but this assignment allowed for me to research and study a subject I thoroughly enjoy.

One of the first things I noticed when researching was the amount of sites that had the same pictures. For this assignment I chose to not only focus on the Black Panther Party but also on some of the most famous photos every taken of the Party. However, the goal in choosing popular photos was not to make it easy on myself but quite the opposite. I wanted to research all of the different sites that contained these pictures and compare what each person wrote about them. It was interesting to read the different captions and stories that accompanied these pictures. Even in small captions, points of view were evident. Of course, I too am guilty of this bias. However, I also believe that there is no such thing as an objective historian. Just in the topic I chose to research I am biased. In essence, I am arguing that the Black Panther Party is more important than another historical subject to research.

In addition to searching for the pictures and having the opportunity to view a variety of Black Panther Party photos another aspect I enjoyed was writing my own captions. As I wrote each caption I tried to think of someone looking at the photo and having no idea who the Panthers were and their historical significance. I wanted each picture and caption to intrigue the viewer to go out and research the Panthers on their own.

Perhaps the only frustrating part of the project was realizing after I completed it that the pictures were not in the order I so desired. I began researching in a certain order and when I published the photos they appeared backwards. In short, the top of the blog shows the last picture of the essay and so on down the line. I wanted viewers to see the last picture first. I attempted to reverse the order but to know avail.

In closing, while it may not seem like much, looking at my blog I realize just how much I have learned from this course and this assignment truly made me look forward to our final project.

Black Panther Party Photo History

Black Panthers line up at a Free Huey rally in DeFremery Park, Oakland, July 28, 1968. After a shootout with the police on October 28, 1967, Minister of Defense Huey P. Newton was arrested and convicted of voluntary manslaughter. His imprisonment and trial caused the Panthers and other activist groups to rally in his defense. In May 1970, Newton's conviction was overturned and following a series of mistrials, Newton was set free. The uniform of the Black Panther Party was black berets, powder blue shirts, black leather jackets, and black pants.
Source: Designer Magazine

Huey P. Newton, Minister of Defense of the Black Panther Party at the Black Panther Party National Headquarters in Oakland, California, August 12, 1968. This photo is perhaps the most famous picture of Newton. On the left side, Newton is holding a gun representing the militancy of the Party and on the other side, Newton is holding a spear representing cultural nationalism and the connection to the third world. The original photo was taken by Ruth-Marion Baruch.
Source: Africawithin.com

Fred Hampton founded the Chicago chapter of the Black Panther Party in November 1968. He started numerous community programs including the Free Breakfast Program for children and a free medical clinic for those without healthcare. Hampton also convinced Chicago's street gangs to cease fighting and announce a truce. Known for his charismatic speaking style and public speaking, Hampton became one of the most influential leaders in the Black Power Movement until his untimely death. Hampton and the Panthers had routninely been the targets of FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover and his COINTELPRO (Counterintelligence Program). On the early morning of December 4, 1969, Hampton was murdered in his sleep by the FBI and local police in Chicago, Illinois. His death caused outrage throughout the country and only added to the already tense situation between the Black Panther Party and FBI.
Source: Injustice Busters

Co-founders of the Black Panther Party-Chairman Bobby Seale (left) and Minister of Defense Huey P. Newton (right). Behind Seale and Newton is the Oakland Povery Center, which became the Panthers first office in Oakland, California, 1966.
Source: Social Justice Movements Website/Columbia University

The Black Panther Party was started in October, 1966 in Oakland, California by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale. This picture, taken in Oakland, California, November 1966, is of the original six members of the Black Panther Party. From top left to right: Elbert "Big Man" Howard, Huey P. Newton, Sherman Forte, Bobby Seale. Bottom: Reggie Forte and Little Bobby Hutton.
Source: Marxist Internet Archive