An Original Black Panther

Accidental or not, but Black Panther for Self-Defense cofounder Bobby Seale spoke at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, whose mascot happens to be the panthers. Seale founded the group in October 1966 with Huey P. Newton. Seale was an engaging speaker who shared intimate details on why and how he and Newton founded the Black Panther Party. It’s hard to believe that both became so influential at such a young age.

The Black Panthers developed a Ten Point Program:

1. Power to determine the destiny of our black and oppressed communities.
2. Full employment for our people.
3. An end to the robbery by the capitalists of our black community.
4. Decent housing, fit for the shelter of human beings.
5. Decent education for our people that exposes the true nature of this decadent American society. Education that teaches us our true history and our role in the present-day society.
6. Completely free healthcare for all black and oppressed people.
7. Immediate end to police brutality and murder of black people, other people of color, all oppressed people inside the United States.
8. An immediate end to all wars of aggression.
9. Freedom for all black and oppressed people now held in U.S. federal, state, county, city, and military prisons and jails. Trials by a jury of peers for all persons charged with so-called crimes under the laws of this country.
10. People want land, bread, housing, education, clothing, justice, peace and people’s community control of modern technology.