We all know the Black Panthers. They were down for the liberation of Black people and established many programs to support our communities. One of their most enduring contributions was a booklist. And those books are still relevant today.
The Black Panther Party Booklist, created in 1968, was a suggested reading list for new members. Many of the books speak directly to issues still affecting our people today, from the need to decolonize our minds to the perils of policing.
Frantz Fanon's Wretched of the Earth helps readers understand the psychological effects of colonization. The Autobiography of Malcolm X tells the leader's incredible life story while describing the principles of Black nationalism. These are all potent words we can lean on right now.
In Richard Wright’s novel Native Son, a 20-year-old Black man is falsely accused of a crime, and his punishment is determined before he even makes it to trial. Native Son and The Autobiography of Malcolm X have both been on banned books lists. That makes now a perfect time to add both to your reading list.
Looking at our history and our ancestors' words, we realize they've already laid the foundation for Black liberation. We must learn from the past to build the future we deserve.