The Black Panther slogan was “Black Power.” This powerful phrase, coined by Stokely Carmichael (later known as Kwame Ture), became the rallying cry for the Black Panther Party and the wider Black Power movement in the 1960s and 1970s. The slogan was a call for African Americans to take control of their own destiny and fight against racial oppression and systemic injustice.
Stokely Carmichael, a prominent civil rights activist and leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), first used the term “Black Power” during a rally in Mississippi in 1966. He believed that the nonviolent tactics of the civil rights movement were not enough to bring about true equality and liberation for black people. Instead, he advocated for a more radical approach that emphasized black self-determination and self-defense.
The Black Panther Party, founded by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale in 1966, embraced the slogan “Black Power” and made it a central part of their ideology. They sought to empower and uplift black communities through political education, community organizing, and armed self-defense. The black panther, a symbol of strength and resistance, was adopted as the party’s emblem.
The Black Panther Party’s use of the Black Power slogan and their commitment to confronting police brutality and systemic racism made them a target of government surveillance and repression. The party faced intense scrutiny and was infiltrated by the FBI’s Counterintelligence Program (COINTELPRO) in an effort to disrupt and dismantle the organization.
It is important to note that the Black Power movement and the Black Panther Party were not monolithic in their beliefs or tactics. While some advocated for armed self-defense and revolutionary action, others focused on community empowerment, cultural pride, and political mobilization. The Black Power slogan encompassed a range of ideologies and strategies, but at its core, it represented a rejection of white supremacy and a demand for black liberation.
In my own personal experience, learning about the Black Power movement and the Black Panther Party has been eye-opening and inspiring. It has shed light on the ongoing struggle for racial justice and the importance of grassroots activism in challenging systemic oppression. The Black Power slogan continues to resonate today, reminding us of the power of collective action and the need to fight for equality and liberation for all marginalized communities.