Discussion 1.
During the late 1960s and early 1970s, “black power” captivated the national stage. It was a term coined by civil rights activist Stokely Carmichael. According to Carmichael, black power expressed political unity through self-determination. It was a call for African Americans in the United States to come together and unite. In 1968, Carmichael began a short-lived alliance with the Black Panther Party (BPP). The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense was founded in Oakland, CA, in 1966 by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale. During this time, Oakland, CA, had one of the highest unemployment rates in the country as well as families that were on welfare. There was constant police harassment and brutality in the black community. Many have given the BPP a negative name and labeled it as a terrorist organization. I will counter the negative and racist depictions of African Americans that were members of the BPP (Joseph, 2006).
The BPP hoped for a new world and to improve the lives of black Americans. Most of its members consisted of reformed, one-time criminals and college students. Their goal was to organize the black working class and lead a political revolution. Often, the 1960s are remembered as a time of non-violent protests during the struggle for civil rights. Police brutality and a sense of “no justice” for African Americans appeared to continue with no end in sight. The BPP implored blacks to exercise their Second Amendment Rights to bear arms, and protect themselves and their families from violence. The BPP, initially, had a strong recruiting drive and were active in most large cities across the United States (Pope & Flanigan, 2013). The political violence that the BPP symbolized, made them popular among those who had suffered police brutality. The party attracted thousands and advocated community control of education, economics, politics, and being able to survive. They provided for the poor and underprivileged, free breakfast programs for school children, food aid for families, adult education, childcare, medical care, ambulance services, cooperative housing, employment assistance, free plumbing, home maintenance, pest control, and protective escorts for the elderly. The BPP issued a 10-Point Program in 1966 that called for black self-determination, education, good housing, and an ending to police brutality and exploitation in the black community. They had planned for a political revolution; however, it did not happen as planned. They were, constantly, being harassed by federal surveillance, and some of their leaders became corrupted causing splinters in the organization.
The U.S. Government (Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)), led by J. Edgar Hoover, targeted the BPP more than any other organization. It created an atmosphere of intimidation that discouraged any type of affiliation with the BPP (FBI Surveillance and Infiltration, n.d.). It successfully isolated the BPP and limited their national and global influence. The FBI instituted brute force and constant pressure thereby driving the BPP to extinction (Farina, 2017).
The BPP never had a chance against J. Edgar Hoover’s FBI. He was out to destroy it and had the U.S. Government on his side. I’m sure that when white Americans saw pictures of black Americans with guns and the name BPP, many thought that it was a terrorist organization. However, when one takes time to research the truth of the matter, they will see a completely different picture. The BPP did an excellent job in trying to lift the black race in seeking equality and trying to aid the disadvantaged. Its short-lived accomplishments in feeding the children, providing food and clothing, medical assistance, etc., are truly noteworthy. Plus, the reformed ex-criminals and college students who were members of the BPP truly have a proud legacy.
It’s sad to say, but I do not think that much has changed today as far as trying to organize poor and underprivileged black Americans to better themselves. There are some in our government who do not want to welcome change, even for the better, I believe.
References
Hersey, John (Sept 2015). Racial Stereotypes in Film/TV in Media/Gender, Race,
https://sites.psu.edu/adelineartenie/2015/09/15/
Stewart, K. (2021). NABj Meets with CBS on Allegations of Racism, Calls for Firing of Two Executives – (Posted by K. Stewart) January 25, 2021
Discussion 2.
The Black Panther Party is one group that had to counter negative and racist depiction of African Americans. The Black Panther’s party movements can be traced as far as 1960. In combination, the Leaders in the North-inspired by the civil rights effort from the leaders in the South were stressing racial pride. Despite the Black Panthers Party’s negative image as a violent group, drug and weapons-related with the constant FBI surveillance. The Black Panther Party got African Americans together by encouraging self-reliance, internationalism, and collaboration among each other.
Additionally, the Black Panther Party gave African Americans a distinct individuality with unique expressions, visions, and politics. This effort inspired new artists to use Blak Panthers Party power icons as symbols of racially conscious and historically deep political opposition. Artists like Public Enemy and Tupac reported the reality of drugs, urban violence, and drug abuse in the streets through their music. The Black Panthers also influenced filmmaker Spike Lee to create Malcolm X’s movie.
Scripted television series had to counter negative and racist depictions of African Americans by representing family unity. For example, the Cosby show portrayed a prosperous family and interacted with his wife and five children. The Cosby’s owned a house in New York and were part of the upper-middle class. Another show was Charlie and Company, a middle-class family that dressed well, and the father had a well-paying job and interacted with his wife and three children. These shows were an opportunity to fight the negative image of the fathers not being present and children left unattended. Television series was an excellent opportunity to fight negative depictions of African Americans. Moreover, just like the husbands, also both wives work and contribute to the family household. The families had good interactions, the father and mother had good communication, and the parents and children communicated as well.
The role of African American females is left out on the racist depiction of the Black Panther Party. African American females were significantly involved in the community by providing food distribution centers and clinics for those that could not afford it. There was very little interaction with the white culture in the television series, showing the African Americans just as successful or equal.
Today with the internet and easy access to social media at the touch of one finger, today’s positive and negative depiction of African Americans is still a struggle. For example, the male role model in the African American community is portrayed as not being around for his children. Another stereotype is African Americans are described as violent and aggressive. On the other hand, more and more African Americans are gaining ground as successful business owners, musicians, athletes, and film industries to include African American female leaders.
Bibliography
Merritt, B., & Stroman, C. A. (1993). Black Family Imagery and Interactions on Television. Journal of Black Studies, 23(4), 492–499.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/2784382
Joseph, Peniel E. 2006. “Black Power’s Powerful Legacy.” Chronicle of Higher Education, July 21. https://search-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.umgc.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f5h&AN=21863036&site=eds-live&scope=site.
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