As we stand here at the beginning of a new social movement, it is essential that anyone looking to make this world a better place read about the Black Panther Party and learn from their examples. Often very misunderstood, the BPP was one of the best forces for change that America has ever seen. Here are some reasons why: 1) Survival programs such as the Free Breakfast Program for children. The BPP had dozens of survival programs that provided relief for their communities through mutual aid. 2) Self-defense and an extensive knowledge of law. All people should understand that they have the right to defend themselves. The neoliberal doctrine of non-violence as become the only legitimate form of resistance in the eyes of the average American and that is unacceptable. People have the right (by law) and the moral authority to defend themselves. 3) Education. The BPP had a newspaper that reached hundreds of thousands of people and they educated their communities about various social problems and problems with the system. The recognized that agitation is important as well. You have to make the people angry about the fact that they are in chains, because they have grown comfortable in them. 4) Local action, international solidarity. The BPP called on white people to organize their own communities, which showed a deep understanding of the system and how the way of life for white suburbia can contribute to the oppression of poor, black inner city America. The BPP focused on local solutions to problems such as police brutality, while targeting the system as a whole. At the same time, they had chapters in other countries and vehemently opposed the war in Vietnam. The stood for the liberation of all oppressed people everywhere. 5) Women leadership. The role of women in the BPP is often downplayed, but they made up more than half of its membership and had positions of leadership. 6) Intersectionality. The BPP understood that all oppressions are linked and that no one can be free until everyone is free. This is essential for this social movement. We have to understand that environmental degradation is fundamentally tied to racism. Homophobia and transphobia are tied to economic exploitation and health care. If we want to change anything we must target everything and target the source of these problems. No more band-aid solutions! 7) An understand of how far the US government will go to destroy us. The BPP was aware of the illegal actions that the US government took to destroy their organization and took steps to fight back. Please take time to read about the FBI program known as COINTELPRO and be aware that they can and will do this again to destroy liberation movements. 8) Socialism and radical left politics. Lets not let this movement become deradicalized. Capitalism and our political economic system as a whole is the source of almost all forms of oppression. The BPP recognized this and fought for a political economic system that would work for the needs of all people and be far more democratic. Liberals and democrats do not understand or truly want liberation. Always remember that the Democratic Party is the graveyard where social movements go to die. Take control of the means of production. Radicalize. Organize. Fight back.
Posted on: Fri, 02 Jan 2015 00:40:56 +0000
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