Information on NBPP?

[Guerilla Black]

Can i get some information on the New Black Panther Party and it's legitamacy? I've read the response to them by the huey p newton foundation and would like your take on it.

"There Is No New Black Panther Party: An Open Letter From the Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation
In response from numerous requests from individual's seeking information on the "New Black Panthers," the Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation issues this public statement to correct the distorted record being made in the media by a small band of African Americans calling themselves the New Black Panthers. As guardian of the true history of the Black Panther Party, the Foundation, which includes former leading members of the Party, denounces this group's exploitation of the Party's name and history. Failing to find its own legitimacy in the black community, this band would graft the Party's name upon itself, which we condemn.

Firstly, the people in the New Black Panthers were never members of the Black Panther Party and have no legitimate claim on the Party's name. On the contrary, they would steal the names and pretend to walk in the footsteps of the Party's true heroes, such as Black Panther founder Huey P. Newton, George Jackson and Jonathan Jackson, Bunchy Carter, John Huggins, Fred Hampton, Mark Cark, and so many others who gave their very lives to the black liberation struggle under the Party's banner.

Secondly, they denigrate the Party's name by promoting concepts absolutely counter to the revolutionary principles on which the Party was founded. Their alleged media assault on the Ku Klux Klan serves to incite hatred rather than resolve it. The Party's fundamental principle, as best articulated by the great revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara, was: "A true revolutionary is guided by great feelings of love." The Black Panthers were never a group of angry young militants full of fury toward the "white establishment." The Party operated on love for black people, not hatred of white people.

Furthermore, this group claims it would "teach" the black community about armed self-defense. The arrogance of this claim is overwhelmed by its reactionary nature. Blacks, especially in the South, have been armed in self-defense for a very long time; indeed, the spiritual parent of the Party itself was the Louisiana-based Deacons for Defense. However, the Party understood that the gun was not necessarily revolutionary, for the police and all other oppressive forces had guns. It was the ideology behind the gun that determined its nature.

Because the Party believed that only the masses of people would make the revolution, the Party never presumed itself to be above the people. The Party considered itself a servant of the people and taught by example. Given massive black hunger, the Party provided free breakfast for children and other free food programs. In the absence of decent medical facilities in the black community, the Party operated free medical clinics. In the face of police brutality, the Party stood up and resisted. Considering the overwhelming number of blacks facing trials and long prison terms, the Party developed free legal aids and bussing-to-prison programs.

The question the Foundation raises, then, is who are these people laying claim to the Party's history and name? Are they reactionary provocateurs, who would instigate activities counterproductive to the people's interests, causing mayhem and death? Are they entertainers, who would posture themselves before the media, and, according to numerous sources, with empty guns, to spin gold for themselves? Are they, given the history of their late-leader Khalid Muhammad, a group of anti-Semites like the very Ku Klux Klan they allegedly oppose? What is their agenda?

Conditions for blacks in America today are worse than when the Black Panther Party was formed in 1966. Blacks in the main continue to live in poverty; disproportionate percentages of blacks die from AIDS and cancer, as the black infant mortality rate continues to be double that of whites. There is a desperate need for liberation agenda. The Black Panther Party unarguably set the example, espousing principles and a history that certainly should be embraced by all those still struggling for freedom. Rather than appropriating the Party's name, however, groups that purport to represent African Americans ought to follow the Party's true historical example. In the absence of such commitment, the Foundation denounces the usurpation of the Black Panther Party name by this questionable band of self-appointed leaders."

[rebelAfrika]

Every Black Panther that I know (the ones that I know don't like to be called "former" Black Panthers) and most of the Black Panthers that I DON'T know, but who I have heard speak on this topic, say that the Huey P. Newton Foundation do not have the right of exclusivity with the name "Black Panthers." There were SEVERAL "Black Panther Parties" ALREADY IN EXISTENCE at the time Huey Newton and Bobby Seale organized the more familiar "Black Panther Party for Self Defense" in October 1966. EVERY Black Panther that I know or have heard speak on this topic...EVERY ONE OF THEM do not agree with the New Black Panther Party, but they DO support their right to incorporate "Black Panther" in their name. I hold the same position. This has been my experience.

[Guerilla Black]

Thanks for the information. I did not know there was other Black Panther Parties in existence before Huey and Seale made their platform!What happened to them when the BPP dropped the self-defense name, or was they no longer in existence by then?

Also, why do they not agree with them?

[rebelAfrika]

Originally Posted by guerilla_black

Thanks for the information. I did not know there was other Black Panther Parties in existence before Huey and Seale made their platform!What happened to them when the BPP dropped the self-defense name, or was they no longer in existence by then?

Two examples of Black Panther Parties that existed before Huey Newton and Bobby Seale's conception of the Black Panther Party are documented in their respective books (Huey Newton's "Revolutionary Suicide" and Bobby Seale's "Seize The Time"). In Huey's book, he mentions the Lowndes County Freedom Organization which was organized by SNCC in Lowndes County, Alabama. The Lowndes County Freedom Organization was organizing voter registration for Africans who were the majority in Lowndes County, but were being constantly terrorized from voting by the Ku Klux Klan, the White Citizens Council, the police, etc. One of those racist groups had a white chicken as their mascot, in the same way demoncratic party has the jackass and Republican't party has the elephant. Illiteracy was high in Lowndes County so the mascot of the Lowndes County Freedom Organization needed to be something that stuck in the minds of Africans. "SOMEHOW" they came up with the "Black Panther" as their symbol and they were refered to as "The Black Panther Party." They also had armed patrols to escort, guard and protect the Africans in terms of voter registration and voting at the polls. This was the FIRST Black Panther Party. Huey Newton and Bobby Seale (and a host of others who are now unknowns in history) was very impressed by the grassroots effort being put forth by "The Black Panther Party" and created their own version of it. In Bobby Seale's book, he talks about a group of Black Panthers that his version of the "Black Panther Party" refered to as "Paper Panthers" (a play on Chairman Mao's denunciation of reactionary forces as "Paper Tigers"). This "Panther Party" was in existence slightly before, or around the same time as Huey and Bobby's version of the Party. This party came about INDEPENDENT of Huey and Bobby's Party. This was pointed out in the book. I hate to name drop, but I talked to Bob Brown about this subject and he only confirmed what I have heard from many other Panthers. There were MANY "Panther Parties" who for all intents and purposes will be LOST IN HISTORY. We'll probably never know their history beyond "hearsay." He pointed out that some of these Panther Parties "died a natural death" (lack of charisma, lack of organizational skills, etc.) but that some of these Panther Parties were "killed off" (by police, by FBI by CIA and even by KGB...and even by EACH OTHER). When the smoke cleared, there was the Black Panther Party that we are all familiar with. This is some of the information that I have been exposed to.

[Guerilla Black]

See i read about the SNCC in alabama, but i just though they borrowed the mascot, i didn't know that the organization was alos referred to as the black panther party.

You said you didn't support the nbpp, any reasons why?You can note me that, if you don't wanna air it out. Also, do you find in contradictions in that letter?

[rebelAfrika]

Originally Posted by guerilla_black

See i read about the SNCC in alabama, but i just though they borrowed the mascot, i didn't know that the organization was alos referred to as the black panther party.

You said you didn't support the nbpp, any reasons why?You can note me that, if you don't wanna air it out. Also, do you find in contradictions in that letter?

Well my EXACT words were...

Originally Posted by rebelafrika

EVERY Black Panther that I know or have heard speak on this topic...EVERY ONE OF THEM do not agree with the New Black Panther Party, but they DO support their right to incorporate "Black Panther" in their name. I hold the same position.

so I'm saying I support them...even though there are areas in which I disagree with them.

Also...I have found at least one "contradiction" in that letter. Not to mention, the New Black Panther Party issued a responce to that letter as well, didn't they?

[Guerilla Black]

Oh, from way i interpreted, i thought you said the elders did not support them, but support their right to use the name and you felt same way. Meaning, you support their right to use it, but not them as an organization.

[IfasehunReincarnated]

my issue is two-fold. i have some issue with peope leaving other organizations and using highly recognizable names to "regroup", especially if they were not members during the hey day or provided any substantiave support for those orgs in the past.

with that said i always tell people what my grandmother told me coming up, "nobody liked MLK or Malcolm X until they were both dead and gone. most of the black folks wouldnt give a penny, show up to a meeting or do any work. they wouldnt even openly say they supported them." (the same is said about Jimmy Hendrix who black people love to say is the true rock n roll guru, but never supported his records or attended his shows in real numbers when he was here.)

secondly, the havoc and disaccord that has been caused by this dilutes any worth that is created from it. this makes it easier for the worth of any org that uses the name to be criticized and miscontrued, because essentially two or more interpetations are going on at once. can you say "the gov't loves to us fight cause it means we are nt fighting them" with me?

[DJ RBG]

I supported The Black Panther Party and I support The New Black Panther Party although I may not agree with every minute detail of either of these orgs platforms, I respect the will to resist oppression that both orgs embrace.

[DJ RBG]

Originally Posted by guerilla_black

Oh, from way i interpreted, i thought you said the elders did not support them, but support their right to use the name and you felt same way. Meaning, you support their right to use it, but not them as an organization.

seems to me you need to do some homework and brush up on your reading so you can form your own opinion based on analytical analysis

[Guerilla Black]

Originally Posted by DJ RBG

seems to me you need to do some homework and brush up on your reading so you can form your own opinion based on analytical analysis

What does that have anything to do with misinterpreting the his quote?

[IfasehunReincarnated]

Originally Posted by DJ RBG

I supported The Black Panther Party and I support The New Black Panther Party although I may not agree with every minute detail of either of these orgs platforms, I respect the will to resist oppression that both orgs embrace.

this may be my point. lol it seems that you have gone further as a witness than these two have gone as the bearers of the cross. (sorry for that metaphor)

here we have a young brother that seems to be caught in between a rock in a hard place, and feels he must decide where loyalty should rest, instead of these two orgs creating a situation where he can focus instead on whats important, where he can APPLY his loyalty. look at all the time lost in that...

it seems to be me, and i aint playing sides too tough, that a new formation would want the blessing of the latter, unless it cared less about legacy and respect and more about name recognition. also the older would want to ensure that the work got done, seeing as their are so few willing to do it, as it would bless anyone that seems legitimately interested in carrying the name honorably. but that would be too easy eh?

[rebelAfrika]

Originally Posted by IfasehunReincarnated

my issue is two-fold. i have some issue with peope leaving other organizations and using highly recognizable names to "regroup", especially if they were not members during the hey day or provided any substantiave support for those orgs in the past.

with that said i always tell people what my grandmother told me coming up, "nobody liked MLK or Malcolm X until they were both dead and gone. most of the black folks wouldnt give a penny, show up to a meeting or do any work. they wouldnt even openly say they supported them." (the same is said about Jimmy Hendrix who black people love to say is the true rock n roll guru, but never supported his records or attended his shows in real numbers when he was here.)

secondly, the havoc and disaccord that has been caused by this dilutes any worth that is created from it. this makes it easier for the worth of any org that uses the name to be criticized and miscontrued, because essentially two or more interpetations are going on at once. can you say "the gov't loves to us fight cause it means we are nt fighting them" with me?

Where's them God******* rep points??????? You need to get a million.

[Guerilla Black]

Originally Posted by IfasehunReincarnated

this may be my point. lol it seems that you have gone further as a witness than these two have gone as the bearers of the cross. (sorry for that metaphor)

here we have a young brother that seems to be caught in between a rock in a hard place, and feels he must decide where loyalty should rest, instead of these two orgs creating a situation where he can focus instead on whats important, where he can APPLY his loyalty. look at all the time lost in that...

it seems to be me, and i aint playing sides too tough, that a new formation would want the blessing of the latter, unless it cared less about legacy and respect and more about name recognition. also the older would want to ensure that the work got done, seeing as their are so few willing to do it, as it would bless anyone that seems legitimately interested in carrying the name honorably. but that would be too easy eh?

Do you attribute the fact that some blacks didn't support MLK and Malcolm due to a generation gap. My mother and father were supporters of the BPP and the black power movement, while his parents didn't want him involved. Personally, I dont know since i wasn't alive during those times, to say if a large majority did or did not support these brothers.

[IfasehunReincarnated]

lol@rebel...

so, this guy asking about the NBPP was white? ...interesting. more and more white kids are coming here to learn abut black revolution. we need a white kid training camp, where they can be inundated with propoganda and sent back into the world to be our "white spooks" lol