WHEN I JOINED THE BLACK PANTHER PARTY
By Elbert "Big Man" Howard
There were many reasons why I joined the Black Panther Party (BPP). Some are easy to explain and talk about and some are not so easy. Some reasons go deep into childhood experiences, but I'll save that for the book about my life story.
I was discharged from the U.S. Air Force at Travis Air Force Base in Northern California in 1960. I liked Oakland, and decided to stay awhile. Besides, my hometown of Chattanooga, Tenn. had no more to offer me than when I enlisted in the Air Force in 1956. At least Oakland seemed to have a thriving Black community with friendly people. However, the lines of segregation were clearly drawn with the city's storm troopers there, to keep Black people in line and not crossing it without deadly consequences. These deadly consequences were carried out almost weekly with White cops killing Black citizens. Without exception it was officially termed "justifiable homicide" by the police and city officials.
I got a job and started college on my GI bill. I went about my life enjoying the wealth of talented musicians who lived, worked, and played in and around the Bay Area. Jazz and Blues were my favorite art forms. Life was good. All I had to do was keep a job, some money in my pockets and keep out of harms way; or so I thought.
It was around 1966 when I first met Huey Newton and Bobby Seale. We were attending Merritt Community College. We all were interested in Black history. As a matter of fact, we were one of the first Black Student organizations on any campus that we knew of at that time. It was called the Soul Students Advisory Council. Sid Walton was our campus advisor. I became introduced to the speeches and writings of Malcolm X, "The Ballot or the Bullet" and "The Autobiography of Malcolm X." We were interested in political science, revolutionary politics and social revolutions as well. Our interests went beyond what was offered in the classroom at that time.
We would have political education classes after school. We would meet at Bobby's mother's house, at Huey's apartment, and at my house. We would read and discuss the Red Book, the writings of Dr. DuBois, Fanon, Ho Chi Minh, Che, Castro and many others. We were always seeking solutions to our community situations.
One particular incident that pushed me into the BPP involved the Oakland Police department.
One evening my date and I were out on the town. We had just enjoyed a set of Lou Rawls live at a local nightclub. My dated waited at the club door while I went to get my car. I got it, came back, and double-parked while I waited for her to come out. While I waited, Oakland PD showed up in storm trooper style and started writing citations. There were white patrons parked in front of me and in back of me, also double-parked. I took offense and asked why I was singled out for a ticket. Was it because I was black? Was it because I was black and had a new pick-up truck? I said F. you white MFs and attempted to leave. Needless to say, I was surrounded by a large number of cops with guns drawn and taken to Oakland City Jail. I was charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, threatening a police officer and other things I'd never heard of.
My truck and I spent the night in jail. The next day, I got out on bail. For lack of better knowledge, I hired attorney Donald Warden, a loudmouth radio personality. I knew that Huey studied law and knew how the Oakland justice system worked, so I asked him if he would go to court with me. Huey agreed. He told me to go on up to the front of the courtroom and he would hang in the back because Donald Warden did not like him and may say something stupid if he saw him with me.
My case came up with several of the cops in on the arrest in the court to testify against me. The judge said something sarcastic like " he is most likely guilty, but I'm going to dismiss it." Huey and I left the courthouse with me mad as hell. On the drive to Huey's apartment, we discussed the laws regarding firearms in the city. From that day forward, I started riding around Oakland with my loaded shotgun in the rack of my pick-up truck, just like the rednecks of the day did.
At this period in time, the struggle for Civil Rights was raging out of control. Malcolm X had told the nation that it's the Ballot or the Bullet. He was telling us to defend ourselves. If any man puts his hands on you or yours, you had a right, you had an obligation, to fix him so he would never be able to do it again. I believed in these teachings and still do. I was truly angry.
I think that my anger was always tempered with discipline and reasonable thought. I like to think that my patrols in the streets never led to unnecessary bloody confrontations. The young brothers that rode with me had to follow the rules of engagement set forth by Chairman Bobby Seale and Minister of Defense, Huey P. Newton. I think that the bright red pick-up truck with a bunch of black brothers in it was on the Oakland PD blotter to avoid confrontation. As a result, there was no loss of life in the community or of Panther or police. That is not to say there were not ambushes, harassment and false arrests.
Source: http://www.itsabouttimebpp.com/Big_Man/When_I_Joined_the_BPP.html
Source: http://www.itsabouttimebpp.com/Big_Man/When_I_Joined_the_BPP.html
1. What was Elbert "Big Man" Howard like as a young adult? Does he sound like a typical teenager of the time?
2. What other Civil Rights leader had a major influence on Howard's beliefs? What were some of these beliefs?
3. Think about the event that was Howard's turning point. How would you feel if you were in Howard's position? Was his reaction reasonable and did the police handle the situation well? Explain in detail your answers.
4. How did this event change Howard? What actions did he decide to take afterwards? Was this a reasonable response to the situation?
5. According to his testimony, how do you envision these "patrols" Howard and the Panthers conducted throughout their communities? Why did they choose to do this? What reactions do you think the police had at the time?
CONTINUE TO NEXT INTERVIEW
The following is an excerpt from a 1968 interview with Huey Newton. Source: http://socialjustice.ccnmtl.columbia.edu/index.php/Huey_P._Newton_::_Philosophy_::_Armed_Self-Defense
Question: "In the history of the Panthers there have been a number of shootouts. Are you now de-emphasizing the role of gunplay in the revolution?"
Huey Newton: "I'm always very careful not to apologize for any defensive measure and not to mix it up with aggression. And I would never view the Vietnamese defense of their homeland as mere violence. Our Panther defense is a tool to get rid of the violence and aggression. I'm against all wars. I'm for world disarmament; the party is also. But we're not pacifists. We think that it's time to organize the people in the United States, which of course the authorities are very upset about. We want peace. But, in certain situations, I won't guarantee that I won't use means that the people think are necessary, wholly necessary and efficient, to bring about liberation. And if I were to tell you anything else, I'd be dishonest with you."
Huey Newton: "I'm always very careful not to apologize for any defensive measure and not to mix it up with aggression. And I would never view the Vietnamese defense of their homeland as mere violence. Our Panther defense is a tool to get rid of the violence and aggression. I'm against all wars. I'm for world disarmament; the party is also. But we're not pacifists. We think that it's time to organize the people in the United States, which of course the authorities are very upset about. We want peace. But, in certain situations, I won't guarantee that I won't use means that the people think are necessary, wholly necessary and efficient, to bring about liberation. And if I were to tell you anything else, I'd be dishonest with you."
1. How does Newton justify the Panthers' use of armed defense? How does he differentiate it from aggression?
2. Why were the Panthers NOT pacifists?
3. This interview was conducted in 1968. Until then, what was the main means of protest used in the Civil Rights movement? Was it working? Why might the police be upset about the Panthers' view on how to obtain peace?
4. Are his thoughts valid? Do you agree with his view on using "defense as a tool to get rid of violence?"
CONTINUE TO NEXT POLITICAL CARTOON
1. Identify the characters in the picture. The police are represented as an animal. Have you heard of this expression before and if so, what does it mean?
2. What is the main message of this cartoon? How will the main idea be achieved?
3. Who could be the author of this cartoon and who is the intended audience?
4. Based on what you have learned about police reaction to armed self defense, why do you think the police is depicted as crying in this cartoon?
CONTINUE TO NEXT IMAGE
1. Who is in this picture? What do you think is going on? Where was this picture taken?
2. Do you sense any violence at this particular moment that is captured in the picture?
3. Whenever Panthers were arrested or in court, it was common practice for other members to "guard" the courthouse. Why do you think they would do this? Is this legal?
4. In this particular moment, the Oakland police are telling the Panthers that they are allowed to stand guard of the courthouse with their weapons as long as they do not cause trouble. This photo was taken in May of 1967. Was this the way that most police reacted to the armed Panthers of the time? How is it the same or different and why do you think the police reacted this way at this moment?
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