Black Panther Party co-founder Bobby Seale delivered a speech yesterday called "The History and Impacts of the Black Panther Party" as part of Black History Month celebrations at the University. Seale discussed his involvement with the party and its history.
According to an Office of African-American Affairs press release, "Bobby Seale and Huey Newton founded the radical, revolutionary Black Panther Party for Self Defense in 1966 as an alternative to the nonviolent civil rights movement."
Seale's speech was sponsored by the Black Student Alliance, the OAAA, vice president for student affairs, vice president and chief officer for diversity and equity, the University libraries and the Carter G. Woodson Institute.
Matthew Hughey, adjunct instructor in sociology and media studies, who was a member of the party as a teenager, said revolutionary figures like Seale are often "over-romanticized."
It is "good that we should remember that they are living people," Hughey added.
History Prof. Claudrena Harold echoed this sentiment in her introduction, asking audience members to "not simply focus on the rhetoric."
Seale cited Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela and Malcolm X as three primary influences on his work during the civil rights movement.
In its early days, Seale said, the party created a "functional definition" of power.
"Power is the ability to define phenomena, then in turn make it act in a desired manner," he said.
The party also outlined a 10-point program that addressed issues including unemployment and due process, Seale said.
Seale added that the party created free health clinics and a breakfast-for-children program.
The party was small in its early years, according to Seale, with 46 original members.
"Growth did not start till after Martin Luther King [Jr.] was killed," he said.
In a press conference before his speech, Seale noted improvements in racial relations since he was a member of the party, including fewer incidents of police brutality and the election of more black officials.
Seale said his message has changed "very little" over the years.
"I was always concerned about the use and value of technology ... positively and progressively," he said.
He also said he advocates "making sure ideas, beliefs and understanding correspond directly."
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