In January 1967, Huey Newton and Bobby Seale met a young man named Emory Douglas. Having studied art in college and while incarcerated in his youth, Douglas offered to help with the print production of the Black Panthers’ official newspaper.
He’d go on to design 527 issues - and become essential to the Panthers’ iconic visual identity.
Douglas became known for uplifting powerful Black revolutionaries, depicting police officers as pigs, and refining the panther logo. He eventually went from Revolutionary Artist to the party’s Minister of Culture.
But though Douglas’ genius was behind this distinct, accessible style, his focus was on what he called “we” art, not “me” art. His purpose was to inspire international unity among Black people.
“The solidarity came in the artwork,” said Douglas in 2021. “[I]t spoke a language that transcended borders.”
Today’s Black movements have a visual identity, too. Artists use graphic design elements to craft protest materials, social media infographics, videos, and more. There are endless possibilities to share a message. And many continue to honor the Panthers’ legacy while doing so.
Douglas’ work reminds us that we all share a different role in the movement for Black liberation. There are artists, protest strategists, cooks, writers, self-defense leaders, healers, and so many more.
Who are you? And who do you want to be?