12 minute read
BPM’s Cultural Impact
Words were the most powerful tool that the Black Panther Party utilized during its existence, and consequently, we still see the impact of such words in today’s culture. It was the foundation for meaningful connections with others who faced similar everyday struggles, and as a result, empowered people in the process. Most notably, the words of the Party gave a voice to the voiceless, those who were unable to speak up against the atrocities they faced by society every day. The power and the impact of the ideas of the Party and words spoken and written by Party leaders have still tangible impacts to this day, especially in regards to present-day American culture through the lens of various forms of media.
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The Black Panther Party has had a major influence on music and continues to do so today. For example, major artists such as Nina Simone and James Brown who were already outspoken about social and political issues continued to speak up about such issues through their lyrics. In addition, many music artists also served in positions of power within the party. For example, Elaine Brown was a famous artist who served as the chair of the Black Panther Party from 1974-1977, and consequently, provided a platform for the Party’s ideas and policies. In the modern world, many of the Party’s ideas regarding Black Power can still be seen today, especially in rap and hip-hop music. Many Black musical artists and groups, such as Tupac, NWA, Beyonce, and Public Enemy, have cited the Party as influences of their music regarding Black Power and empowerment. For example, Public Enemy released songs titled “Power to the People” and “Fight the Power,” songs that were directly influenced by the Party’s messages of Black Power and empowerment. In addition, Tupac released a song titled “Panther Power,” influenced by his parents who were members of the Party, where he details the struggles of being Black in America. More recently, Beyonce’s Super Bowl Performance was a tribute to the 50th anniversary of Black Panther Party by wearing berets and black leather. The Black Panther began to normalize the inclusion of Black Power in American culture, and as a result, many such musical artists paid tribute to the Party for creating opportunities for
Beyonce at the 2013 Super Bowl (left) & NIna Simone (right)
“My Mother never let me forget my history Hoping I was set free chains never put on me Wanted to be more than just free Had to know the true facts about my history I couldn't settle for being a statistic Couldn't survive in this capitalistic Government cause it was meant to hold us back” - 2Pac’s “Panther Power” (2000)
The Cultural Impact of Words in the Modern World (Art)Art has also been another cultural aspect that has been impacted by the Black Panther Party, namely through the inclusion of Emory Douglas’s art in the Party’s newspaper. Emory Douglas’s background in art, printmaking, and activism made him popular in the party, and his artwork and posters have become known as iconic remnants of the Party. His striking images were meant to be easily read and recognizable by the highly illiterate community in poorer communities in the Bay. His use of a mixture of photography, bold colors, and drawings made his art recognizable and a source of inspiration for many in the community. His art has been exhibited in many high-profile places such as Manhattan’s Urban Justice Center, although his influence can be found in other local places, such as in posters in local stores in Staten Island, New York or on graffitied walls in Oakland. The Party’s repetitive messages through its unique art style provided a unified front for the ideals of the Party and provided a constant source of inspiration for many other young artists who seek to express their art through activism. For example, Christopher Paul Jordan has created a collage for the movement to prevent the erasure of Black stories from the current narrative about HIV/AIDS, a project inspired by the work of Douglas. With the prevalence of digital art and social media, it has become easier to spread art and ideas influenced by the Party.
The Cultural Impact of Words in the Modern World (Art)Art has also been another cultural aspect that has been impacted by the Black Panther Party, namely through the inclusion of Emory Douglas’s art in “One of the major tenets of [the Black Panther’s] the Party’s newspaper. Emory Douglas’s background in art, printmaking, agenda was to shape their own media image, as opposed to having their image be dominated by the and activism made him popular in the party, and his artwork and posters more dominant media landscape. So coming up with have become known as iconic remnants of the Party. His striking images the pamphlets and The Black Panther newspaper was were meant to be easily read and recognizable by the highly illiterate all a part of that agenda” - Fahamu Pecou, artist community in poorer communities in the Bay. His use of a mixture of and scholar of Pop culture from an NYT interview with McKinley and Russonello (2016) photography, bold colors, and drawings made his art recognizable and a source of inspiration for many in the community. His art has been exhibited in many high-profile places such as Manhattan’s Urban Justice Center, although his influence can be found in other local places, such as in posters in local stores in Staten Island, New York or on graffitied walls in Oakland. The Party’s repetitive messages through its unique art style provided a unified front for the ideals of the Party and provided a constant source of inspiration for many other young artists who seek to express their art through activism. For example, Christopher Paul Jordan has created a collage for the movement to prevent the erasure of Black stories from the current narrative about HIV/AIDS, a project inspired by the work of Douglas. With the prevalence of digital art and social media, it has become easier to One of Emory Douglas’s most famous poster for his depictions of policemen as pigs
“For some viewers, “Black Panther” may have undeservedly sinister connotations, but the 2018 film reclaims the symbol to be celebrated by all as an avatar for change.” - Jamil Smith from Times on Marvel’s Black Panther
Scene from the documentary Black Panthers (1968) The effects of the Black Panther Party’s efforts to empower young Black people not only in the Bay area but also the United States can still be felt today, especially in the movie industry, with the most notable impact being Marvel’s Black Panther. Panther Party to the limelight is the documentary named 1968 film that discussed the ongoing protests organized by the Party regarding Huey P. Newton’s arrest for murdering a police officer in Oakland. This film showed the struggles and humanized the party by showing alternative perspectives of the leaders and major figureheads. This documentary influenced Marvel’s Don McGregor who decided to fight against the racist and problematic tropes of the comic known as reinventing the comic to one that resembles the iconic Black Panther character. Within the world of the society and a character that was not reliant on white and Eurocentric ideas and sought to fight against conventional ideas of Black society. The decision to name the comic Black Panther, a name that bore resemblance to the Black Panther Party, was once questioned, but now, the name serves as a symbol of change and empowerment for all young Black people. This comic served as the basis of the 2018 film Black Panther, which was lauded as not only a box office hit but also as a movie that helped to empower many young Black people around the world.
The Cultural Impact of Words in the Modern World (Movies & Film) The effects of the Black Panther Party’s efforts to empower young Black people not only in the Bay area but also the United States can still be felt today, especially in the movie industry, with the most notable impact being Black Panther. One of the very first films that brought the Black Panther Party to the limelight is the documentary named Black Panthers, a 1968 film that discussed the ongoing protests organized by the Party regarding Huey P. Newton’s arrest for murdering a police officer in Oakland. This film showed the struggles and humanized the party by showing alternative perspectives of the leaders and major figureheads. This documentary influenced Marvel’s Don McGregor who decided to fight against the racist and problematic tropes of the comic known as Jungle Action by reinventing the comic to one that resembles the iconic Black Panther character. Within the world of the Black Panther comic, McGregor created a society and a character that was not reliant on white and Eurocentric ideas and sought to fight against conventional ideas of Black society. The decision to name the comic Black Panther, a name that bore resemblance to the Black Panther Party, was once questioned, but now, the name serves as a symbol of change and empowerment for all young Black people. This comic served as the basis of the 2018 film Black Panther, which was lauded as not only a box office hit but also as a movie that helped to empower many young Black people around the world.
“Feeding people was always part of the Panther program. liberation in terms of importance. Because if you do not have food — and the correct types of food — you’re not going to last too long…. We were dealing with people’s survival called these initiatives “survival programs.” (Billy X Jennings, early Black Panther Member) The Free Breakfast Program was started in 1969 by the Black Panthers, with its first chapter at St. Augustine’s Church in Oakland. The program was started because hunger made it difficult for Free Breakfast
Program: children to learn at school, and at the time schools only offered reduced price lunches and free breakfast was only a program in a few rural schools. At one of their greatest events the Black Panthers gave away 10,000 bags of groceries. They also ran other programs such as disease testing and voter registration, as they tested around 12,000 people for sickle cell anemia and held the record for most people registered to vote in a day at California. Later on, the government started their own free breakfast program as a reaction to the Black Panther’s growing popularity due to the program. Now, over 8 million children participate in a free breakfast program. Issues like voter registration and food poverty are still relevant to this day. 14.3 million americans are food insecure, and more than 10 million children live in food insecure households. In this election, Georgia turning blue was in large part due to the work of Stacey Abrams, who worked tirelessly to register voters. Georgia turnout increased by a whopping 1 million from 2016 to 2020, and Abrams is credited with registering 800,000 new voters in her state. These programs and projects are just as crucial as the protests in the streets, and are the key to reaching equality for all.
"The fact that the United States has more going hungry is a shame, it was a shame then, and it’s a shame now. -Melvin Dickson, an organizer from the Oakland breakfast program
“Feeding people was always part of the Panther program. Food is right up there with justice and . Because if you do not have food — and the correct types of food We were dealing with people’s survival. That’s why we called these initiatives “survival programs.” (Billy X Jennings, early Black Panther Member)
The Free Breakfast Program was started in 1969 by the Black Panthers, with its first chapter at St. Augustine’s Church in Oakland. The program was started because hunger made it difficult for children to learn at school, and at the time schools only offered reduced price lunches and free breakfast was only a program in a few rural schools. At one of their greatest events the Black Panthers gave away 10,000 bags of groceries. They also ran other programs such as disease testing and voter registration, as they tested around 12,000 people for sickle cell anemia and held the record for most people registered to vote in a day at California. Later on, the government started their own free breakfast program as a reaction to the Black Panther’s growing popularity due to the program. Now, over 8 million children participate in a free breakfast program. Issues like voter registration and food poverty are still relevant to this day. 14.3 million americans are food insecure, and more than 10 million children live in food insecure households. In this election, Georgia turning blue was in large part due to the work of Stacey Abrams, who worked tirelessly to register voters. Georgia turnout increased by a whopping 1 million from 2016 to 2020, and Abrams is credited with registering 800,000 new voters in her state. These programs and projects are just as crucial as the protests in the streets, and are the key to reaching equality for all.
more food than we need, and folks are still it was a shame then, and it’s a shame now." -Melvin Dickson, an organizer from the Oakland breakfast program
From Then to Now: The Social Impact
A movement centered around an ideology of defense against police brutality and black nationalism. A group started in the context of African Americans continued suffering from economic and social inequality, seen in the poor living conditions and public services of urban centers. Reading these sentences today, the Black Lives Matter movement likely comes to mind. However, I am speaking of the Black Panther movement founded in 1966, which despite it’s forced end continues to have far reaching impacts to this day as the problems it sought to fight have also continued to persist. Police brutality has been an issue that plagues the African American
Systemic Racism: community since the times of slavery. In the 1960s, resistance against
Police Brutality the mistreatment of black people by the police and justice system existed in almost all black activist groups, from Malcolm X to Martin Luther King Jr., to of course, the Black Panthers. One of the 10 demands the “We want an immediate Black Panther Party made was brutality and murder of black people”. end to police brutality police brutality was policing the police, and they would form their own alternative armed force to follow police and shout legal advice at those and murder of black being apprehended so as to ensure no rights were being abused. While people” the modern Defund the Police has gone a different route to fight police brutality, many in the movement have long been advocating for an alternative to the police force in a way similar to the Black Panthers.
