How The Black Panthers Outsmarted Mainstream Media Every Time

huey newton speaking in front of a podium
Via Wikimedia Commons
Emeka Ochiagha
February 17, 2023

The Black Panthers' rise to global attention had a lot to do with white fear. They saw an organized, Black militia group, armed and ready. It terrified them because they knew Black rage was justified.

The Black Panthers' rise to global attention had a lot to do with white fear. They saw an organized, Black militia group, armed and ready. It terrified them because they knew Black rage was justified.

But Newton knew it wasn’t really about guns. It was about Black freedom. It was about Black protection. It was about our people having the dignity to fight back. It was about Black people finally seeing how dire their situation was.

As Newton spoke to America through the camera lens, he knew that they didn’t really care what he had to say. But he wasn’t doing it for them.

He was doing it for us. He was thinking of all his people who would watch him on TV, giving language and hope to our fight against suffering. 

Their genius creativity is exactly what we need to emulate as we continue their fight for liberation.

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