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ETD Abstract Container

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The Enemy is All Around Us: A Historical Examination of the Early Years of The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense

Jones, James Thomas, III
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1392815755

Abstract Details

2000, Master of Arts, Ohio State University, History.
Dissident political activity has been a recurring theme throughout the American existence. As distinct groups of Americans battled for limited political power and representation, the voice and activism of African-Americans could never be characterized as monolithic or stagnant. This project is principally concerns the articulation of one of African-Americans dissident streams of thought. Along with the articulation of that thought, this work also intends to illustrate the seemingly contradictory political stances that protest groups occupy, due to a plethora of internal and external circumstances, during attempts to liberate themselves. The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense is a classic example of the frenetic and schizophrenic nature of protest thought and activities. Although this study is principally focused upon the Black Panther Party, obviously it is impossible to talk about the Panthers devoid of historical context. Consequently, the White Radical Movement, Vietnam War Protests, Black Nationalist fervor and identity politics ravaging the country during the sixties frame this story. Just as prominent as the aforementioned to the Panther narrative are the often illegal and always controversial attacks of the United States Government. So great is the role of local, state, and federal authorities in the Panther story and the sixties in general, that it would be impossible to accurately discuss any activism devoid of their presence. We now know that by using the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Counter Intelligence Program (COINTELPRO), the U.S. Government undercut the infrastructure and external support network of the Panthers. The most obvious consequence of the Panthers isolation from the black community and white radical allies was an increase in vulnerability. Despite the undeniable role the U.S. Government played in subduing the Panthers, it should never be forgotten that the group was also plagued by intra-party strife. Most prominent was the fracturing of the Panthers as members lined up behind the militaristic pronunciations of Eldridge Cleaver or the community service activities of Newton loyalists. Undoubtedly, it was the combination of internal and external pressures that ultimately led to the demise of the Black Panther Party. Despite the relatively short existence of the Panthers, particularly when held up against Civil Rights organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Urban League, the Panther legacy has still found a prominent place on the American political and historical landscape. The Panthers prominence, despite their brief existence, is well deserved. Although the ideological undercurrents of the Panthers were as admirable and more progressive than those of the founding fathers, most Americans and scholars refuse to give the group its due. The Panther calls for America to progress beyond man made social structures and labels emanated from a deep unbending love and hope for their fellow man and nation. Despite this indomitable hope that the nation could become more egalitarian social, politically, and economically, the Panthers were also simultaneously fatalistically serious about destroying the very foundation of the nation if it refused to progress towards these lofty goals. Consequently, the Panther legacy has become marred by and unfairly wedded to charges of illegal and highly questionable immoral behavior: drug abuse, sexism, extortion, murder, sedition, armed robbery, rape, theft, embezzlement. Hopefully, this work will serve as another stone in the path to tell the true story of the Panthers. A story that is as filled with hope and honor as the storied history of the United States of America, but one that also contains many of the same flaws and contradictions that have plagued this very land.
Warren Van Tine (Advisor)
William Nelson (Committee Member)
Ahmad Sikainga (Committee Member)
150 p.
History

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Jones, III, J. T. (2000). The Enemy is All Around Us: A Historical Examination of the Early Years of The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1392815755

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Jones, III, James. The Enemy is All Around Us: A Historical Examination of the Early Years of The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense. 2000. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1392815755.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Jones, III, James. "The Enemy is All Around Us: A Historical Examination of the Early Years of The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2000. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1392815755

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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© 2000, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.