Author: Darren

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The Black Panthers & Art and Social Change

By Darren Jean – Baptiste

The United States is home to many different communities from places all around the world, and with this diversity comes different backgrounds, and different stories of pride and struggles. Social change is also present within these communities, and along with that, social change comes with art in many different forms, posters, murals, and many other types are heavily used. The Black Panther Party of the sixties utilized art as much as they could, through posters, flyers, and symbolic images. The Black Panther Party chose the Black Panther as their symbol to signify freedom and strength. The art work below shows how the Black Panther contrasted the Rooster which has sharp ties to White Supremacy. The panther was a symbol of change and opposition to an oppressive country that held the Black Community down for hundreds of years. Through art work they were able to push Black Liberation in the United States and fight against their oppressors.

The Black Panthers used artwork posters to promote their ideals as well. The poster down below promotes the end of violence perpetrated on the Black community, especially by the hands of police, which was a very big issue in Black communities in Oakland, California. “An Attack Against One Is An Attack Against All”. This quote shows the unity that the Black Panthers represented, and  “The Slaughter of Black People Must Be Stopped! By Any Means Necessary!” takes influence from Malcolm X and his iconic “By Any Means Necessary”. It was a call to the end of racial violence in the South, and all over the country. 

The Black Panthers also used artwork to express their ideas and beliefs as well. During the 60s, the Vietnam War was a burning topic. Many believed that the war was not America’s business, and those who were being sent to fight for their lives were being sent to die in vain. Many came back with mental health issues, and devastating consequences. The Black Panther Party believed that the Vietnam War was also not Black people’s fight, and their fight was here dealing with the oppression and racism in their own home. It made the point which was, why are Black people fighting in a war that is not for them? Especially while being in a “battle against our own country”. The tears symbolized the pain felt by those in war. The helmet showed the reality that Black people faced in their own country. This was a similar opinion for many different social change groups, such as the Peace Movement which also had an opposition to the war. 

The Black Panthers also used artwork to promote their political endeavors, such as Eldridge Cleaver. Symbols that represent peace, freedom, and strength were common artistic tools used by the party. The Panther represents the Black Liberation, and the dove as another form of freedom. When Black Panther Party leaders were arrested due to their work such as Huey Newton, artwork was also used to spread awareness in the form of a petition to see a Panthers release. They used artwork to rally support for their causes often.

The Black Panther Party also had different styles of artwork in order to promote the party and its goals. Such as these two Black children holding pictures of the Black experience in the United States. The poster is headed with the statement “For the young, the old, the poor and the Black, living in America is brutal.” The girl on the right holds a poster which asks for the end of Black Oppression and the oppression of all people of color in the United States. This piece of artwork is extremely important considering that the youth was most affected by the oppression that Black people and people of color faced in the United States. They are the future and the ones who will cause social change as they grow older. They feel and experience these things just as much as older people, and their pains and worries are valid .

The Black Panther Party, in its opposition to Police Brutality, used artwork to present this. The symbolization of a pig in American society is a filthy low animal. To make the connection to pigs and police men, was a strong one. It showed that the BPP viewed the police as such, in response to the constant oppression and brutality that they faced. The shotguns surrounding the pig represent the Black Panther Party, the shotgun was a common choice for the Party. It was a direct shot at the police and the injustice that constantly occurred. The poster reads “Out of Order” and  “Community Control of Police”, stating that the current police is not effective enough, and that the BPP must step in to gain control over it, and correct it to make sure that the needs of the Black Community are being met. It’s also notable that Huey Newton and Bobby Seale also had run-ins with authority in Oakland which influenced  this idea.

The Black Panther Party was a symbol of social change and Black Liberation at its finest, it was revolutionary and wasn’t afraid to spark flames in a country where Black struggles were undermined. The artwork shown goes hand in hand with social change, as the depictions enforced their views and ideals on numerous levels, such as the Vietnam War, and police brutality, which were huge topics of the time, and still are today. The BPP symbolized change on many levels, and was a genuine voice for Black America. Even though the political party is not as prominent as it once was, it’s ideals and truths hold relevance today and will continue to be.

Works Cited:

“The Women behind the Black Panther Party Logo.” Design Observer, https://designobserver.com/feature/the-women-behind-the-black-panther-party-logo/39755.

Mckinley, Angelica, and Giovanni Russonello. “Fifty Years Later, Black Panthers’ Art Still Resonates.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 15 Oct. 2016, https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/16/arts/fifty-years-later-black-panthers-art-still-resonates.html.

Gedal, Anna, et al. “Black Panthers: Art and History.” Behind The Scenes, 21 July 2015, https://behindthescenes.nyhistory.org/black-panthers-art-history/.

“The Black Panther Party: Challenging Police and Promoting Social Change.” National Museum of African American History and Culture, 23 Aug. 2020, https://nmaahc.si.edu/blog-post/black-panther-party-challenging-police-and-promoting-social-change.

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Unit 2 Proposal

For my Unit 2 proposal, i would like to work on the numerous civil rights leaders during the civil rights movement and their impact on American Society. Growing up, i always looked up to figures such as Malcolm X or Huey Newton for the way that they advocated for Human Rights, Not just for Black Americans but for all people. Learning about Afrofuturism and is impact on America helped me decide to choose this topic, because in the same way we explored how Black Panther played a big role in representation for Black America, leaders such as Malcolm X were representations of Black America, and its struggles. Representation exist not only in entertainment but in social justice as well.

I also personally hope one day, to follow in the foot steps of some of the leaders that i mentioned before. I want to have such a impact as the impact that they had, and id like to strive to create a better world for my community. Its important that we have people to represent all types of communities and all types of backgrounds. Everyone has a different story, and different issues that need to be addressed, and as time goes on even after the icons such as Malcolm or Huey, their still is a need for people like them to be represented because the same problems such as civil rights are still a problem today.

Research Terms

Malcolm X

The Black Panther Party

Civil Rights Act

Civil Rights Movement

Ten Point Program

Sources

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Black-Panther-Party

https://www.britannica.com/event/American-civil-rights-movement

https://www.aaihs.org/the-antiracist-philosophy-of-malcolm-x/

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AIDS Quilt

Its very interesting to read about this movement for aids. During the 80s, when AIDS was most dangerous, its truly devastating to see how hundreds on hundreds have died from it. Its hard to imagine something like that’s. What bothers me more is how these people where treated and viewed in the United States because of this. It shows how the LGBT community has been through so much, and has suffered death at such high rates, while being ostracized by others. Reading about the quilts is very astonishing how so many people came together to support this community at a time where there was so much hate. It was something that was needed so much at the time, and it made a huge impact.

AIDS must have been such a scary time because there was little to no sex education in communities such as black and brown ones. There was more hate to LGBT communities than support for a community clearly fighting for their lives. It was really important that these people had a way to be seen and acknowledged. They’re voices needed to be heard. Cleve Jones did that, and i think it was one of the most important things that he could’ve done. He started a movement and showed this community to the world showing that they and they’re cause and struggles were just as important too.

Each quilt is in honor of someone who died from aids, and has grown to over 40,000 different people. It was a way for families to mourn and honor there loved ones. I think that the quilt was mostly a way to acknowledge that AIDS was a problem and that there are people suffering with it. It humanized this community to the country saying that they matter too. It was such an important part of history.

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Confederate Statues

I find the removal of confederate statues very interesting. It is clear that the purpose of these statues were to promote ideals of white supremacy in the United States, other then to honor fallen soldiers of the war. This idea that these statues are meant for white supremacy is proved by the fact that the statues have become a gathering ground for white supremacist groups. Many of those opposed to the removal of the statues state that it is wiping away history. Though i think that this is a ignorant statement when it is clear that they stand for much more then that. But at the same time i feel that the removal of these statues do nothing for acknowledging Americas racist and violent past. Its very simple to remove statues, but that isn’t progress in dismantling white supremacy, and bigotry in this country. It is just a poor attempt to satisfy black and brown communities into believing that America is changing, when in reality it is not.

The confederate statues were built to honor those who wanted to keep Blacks as slaves, as inferior, and has less. I feel that there is no pride in this, only for white supremacy which has caused centuries of pain and trauma to Blacks in America. Removing the statues do not prevent police from killing young black men, nor does it solve the numerous flaws in our justice system. Most importantly, removing statues does not remove the mentality of racism which is deeply engrained in this country. If America is willing to remove the traces of White Supremacy, then it should be willing to review and acknowledge its true history of racism and reflect and work to change these issues.

I believe that Black and Brown communities are often handed false progression when it comes to changing the way that this country treats them. We are given street names in honor of Black and Brown figures, and we see all over the country the removal of racist statues, and we are given apologies and protests regarding our experiences. Though its important to look at the reality which is still, that Black and Brown people in America still are struggling because we are brought up in a country were we are viewed as less, and are treated unfairly based on the color of our skin. Though the removal of these statues is good, it is nothing compared to the real problems that this country has. It does nothing to change the current circumstances of Black and Brown people.

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Special Languages (AAVE)

Darren Jean Baptiste

Within the African American community, is a separate form or dialect of the English language referred to as AAVE, or African American Vernacular English. Its roots can be found in the lives lived by our Ancestors not only in the United States as Slaves, but in Africa where our ancestors started as well. We use it everyday in our lives, and in our music and the music we listen to. Common examples of AAVE are shortened forms of words, such as “I Don’t Know” rephrased as “‘ion know ” or  “I’m going to do it” rephrased as  “ima do it”. As a Black American, choosing when or where to use AAVE has always been a challenge especially depending on the type of environment I was in at the time. Sometimes it can be seen as acceptable when around people of my own community, and can be seen as incorrect around others, or even my own family at times.

Being an African American has allowed me to see both sides of dialect and speech in this country. One reason for this is because I grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood, so the way that I spoke either didn’t match the way that they did, or I had chosen to speak a certain way to cater to the community that I was in. During elementary school, around 5th grade I often spoke AAVE publicly in front of my white friends and teachers. Many of them would look at me funny or say things that I did not know how to speak correctly. It even got to the point where I had white friends tell me that I sounded ghetto, as if me speaking in my community’s dialect made them uncomfortable and therefore it was wrong or incorrect to them. There were times when my parents even told me not to speak in a certain dialect and instead I should speak “ normal” .This excluded me from my friends and my environment which often made me very uncomfortable. It felt like because of who I was. Then when I got into middle school and high school, I was often told that I sound white because I had learned not to speak in my own dialect. This also confused me and excluded me now from my own people. Growing up I had often battled with identity and trying to figure out where and who I am, because it seemed no matter how I choose to speak or present myself I always was excluded.

In If Black Isn’t a Language , Then Tell Me What Is By James Baldwin, he makes the argument that People evolve a language to control the circumstances that they are in, and to avoid becoming engulfed by them. This directly relates to the circumstances that many Black Americans are under in the United States, because it is such a challenge to articulate or control these circumstances, we become engulfed by them. Many see AAVE as Ghetto or improper, and this view is not only in outside communities it is also in our own. Many of our own people within the Black Community choose to ignore AAVE because it places them at a disadvantage in American Society, and those who choose to embrace their culture and their dialect are seen as unruly or like i stated before ghetto. Dealing with the outsiderness that I have experienced, it was  always hard to learn to code switch when necessary, and my peers and community would look at me differently depending on if I did it properly or not. Being able to embrace my culture in a community that did not accept me was often hard, and then being able to switch when around my own. Many outsiders do not understand the dialect in which many Black Americans speak, and we are even educated in a way that benefits White America and what they believer is proper.This idea is also brought up in James Baldwin’s essay, where he says Americanever had any interest in educating Black People, if it was not to their own advantage. We are taught to look away from our own culture because it isn’t acknowledged or respected in American Society. These are the reasons why I have personally struggled with my own identity, because I must face a world that doesn’t understand or appreciate the culture that I and my community comes from.

If America were to acknowledge the culture and dialect of African Americans, that would be a step towards healing the racial and social tension of America as a whole. If America would begin to respect and accept all types of cultures and dialects, then there would be more respect for one another, and  people such as me wouldnt struggle with identity, or being able to code switch in different environments, we wouldn’t feel pressured to. We would feel comfortable, and our experience would be validated, as White America understands our story. Even if it means looking into the mirror and not liking what they see. Through understanding the way and reasons for why Black dialect differs from white dialect, then maybe White America would be more open to understanding why the Black Community celebrates things such as Juneteenth, and why we fight so hard for social justice for our people. Many of us have struggled with finding our identity while being able to have the same opportunities and chances as White America despite the differences that be. Through self education and knowledge, I’ve come to learn that there isn’t anything wrong with my African American Vernacular English because it is a reflection of who I am  and the community that I belong to.

Work Cited: Baldwin, James. “If Black English Isn’t a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is?” 

                     The New York Times. 29 July 1979, 

https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/books/98/03/29/specials/baldwin-english.html?,%2522%2520&st=cse

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Black Panther and Its Impact

One idea that I find worth attention is in the article about Black Panther, when the writer Carvell Wallace references a video posted to twitter, in which three young men make comments regarding a black panther poster. They all make jokes, but the one that strikes me most is “This is what white people get to feel all the time?”. What he means by this is the idea that the majority of big time movies, and shows, are majority all white cast, with minorities playing smaller roles. Though this time it is completely different, a Black movie where the main characters are Black, and play all of the significant roles. To add on, this movie is not yet another “Black Pain” movie, such as a movie about slavery, or segregation, but it is a movie depicting Black people in roles of royalty and of great purpose, and power. Black Panther doesn’t make its audience feel bad for Black People, it instead impowers Black People and all that can relate to it. It is a movie of excellence, and Black youth can now finally see people like them on the big screen, and that is a defining moment for Black America.

Not only is this a defining moment for Black America, but it’s also a big moment for the Black Lives Matter Movement. BLM, aims to bring justice to Black Americans, and dismantle systematic racism. Black Panther allowed America to see Blackness in its excellence, and in a positive light. Black people often are portrayed as criminals, or portrayed in movies in poor circumstances, which perpetuates the injustice that Black people in America continue to experience, it also shows Africa in a new light, which is that its not only a impoverished continent, but a place that is just as modern, and a place full of beautiful and vibrant culture. The Black Lives Matter Movement aims to change the narrative of Black people in America, and Black Panther does exactly that. Showing Black America, and America as a whole in a movie where THEY are the stars, and they are the ones that everybody is crowding into movie theaters to go see. This is a big step for Black America and BLM in terms of empowerment and representation.

Relating back to the first paragraph, and the comments made about a lack of representation in America when it comes to Black people in powerful roles. Black Panther gives Black America new hope, and new inspiration, which is that they can be powerful and strong too, that they can be the main stars if they want to, and that they are just as important as any other race. It is time for representation in American movies, and not just movies but everywhere else, and with the release of this movie and the large impact that it had even before its release, it is a step towards equality, and justice in America, and Afrofuturism.