The Black Panther Party: Changes in Views and Goals over Time
1 “The Black Panther Party since its inception has always used the weapon of example to educate the masses. When the Minister of Defense, Huey P. Newton, sent a delegation of armed Panthers to the California State Capitol this was a process of educating the people by example that Blacks did not have their right guaranteed by the constitution to bear arms in defense of their lives against racist mobs of fascists in or out of uniform. ” 2 Society often saw the Panthers as an extremist group that was a major threat to society and the government. However, often portrayed like that the group had well set ideals set out and they accomplished a lot of good things. They set up many programs, such as: “The Free Breakfast for Children program is a socialistic program, designed to serve the people. All institutions in a society should be designed to serve the masses, not just a “chosen few. ” In America this program is revolutionary. ”3 The Free breakfast for children was one of many programs the Panthers set up early on to help the Black society as a whole. Furthermore, many of their programs are credited for the creations of programs today.