In 1967, my mother, then 13 years old, spent every weekday afternoon going door to door with a trio of teenage girls in her East Palo Alto, California neighborhood to gather younger kids to teach them their ABCs, numbers and other educational fundamentals as part of the each one teach one program. This social program was one of many implemented by the Black Panther Party to unite, strengthen and support the black community.
Photo: Stephen Shames
October marks the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the Black Panther Party for Self Defense (#BPP50). Formed by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale in Oakland, Ca in 1966, the revolutionary organization began as a watchdog organization to monitor police violence against black communities — a legacy that continues to be relevant today. In honor of the organization that worked to instill pride, cohesion and education amidst the social turmoil of the late 1960s,
Here are 11 must-watch documentaries, movies, and interviews to provide education and historical context around the Black Panther Party:
1. The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution (2016)
This PBS documentary — directed by Stanley Nelson Jr. — revisits the turbulent 1960s, when a revolutionary culture emerged with the Black Panther Party at its vanguard. Interviews with police informants, journalists, white supporters and detractors make for a well-rounded, multi-dimensional narrative.
2. The Murder of Fred Hampton (1971)
Photo: AP Photo/stf
This film depicts the activism, public speeches and brutal murder of Fred Hampton, the leader of the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party at the hands of Chicago police.
3. ‘Policing The Police’: How The Black Panthers Got Their Start (2015)
Photo: Stephen Shames and Firelight Media
In this NPR Fresh Air interview, filmmaker Stanley Nelson speaks with Terry Gross about the origins, progression and purpose of the Black Panther Party.
4. Reflections On The Black Panther Party 50 Years Later (2016)
Photo: Stephen Shames
In this NPR interview, Rachel Martin speaks with Black Panther Party co-founder Bobby Seale and photographer Stephen Shames about the origins and purpose of the organization.
5. Panther (1995)
Photo: Gramercy Pictures/Associated Press
This (1995) film directed by Mario Van Peebles is a dramatized account of the story of The Black Panther Party of Self-Defense.
6. A Huey P. Newton Story (2001)
Photo: latw.org
A Huey P. Newton Story is the film adaptation of Roger Guenveur Smith’s Obie Award-winning, off-Broadway solo performance of the same name. Filmed before a live audience, the Spike Lee-directed film incorporates archival footage to capture the thoughts of this revolutionary political leader.
7. The Black Panther Party Documentary (2012)
This class project by Schoolprojects8455 is a digestible, basic history of the Black Panther Party for school aged kids.
8. The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 (2011)
This documentary examines the evolution of the Black Power Movement in America. It features footage of the movement with appearances by Black Panther Party founders Huey P. Newton, Bobby Seale and Eldridge Cleaver. The award winning documentary can be found on Netflix.
9. Night Catches Us (2010)
This film staring Kerry Washington and Anthony Mackie follows the emotional journey of a former Black Panther and suspected police informant (Mackie) as he revisits his old Philadelphia neighborhood to attend his father’s funeral.
10. The Man Behind the Art of the Black Panther Party (2015)
Emory Douglas was the official Revolutionary Artist and Minister of Culture for the Black Panther Party. This video, produced and published by The Atlantic, reveals the man behind the art of the Black Panther Party.
11. Remembering the Black Panther Party newspaper (2015)
Photo: Stephen Shames
This San Francisco Bay View article pays homage to the Black Panther Party newspaper that ran from April, 1967 to September 1980.
