Politics
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Cherkasy State University, Bogdan Khmelnitsky**We aren't endorsed by this school
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BIO 1
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Communications
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Dec 24, 2024
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6
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The Black Panther Party and The Young Lords: Civil RightsName SurnameProfessor’s NameClassDate
2The Black Panther Party and The Young Lords: Civil RightsThe Civil Rights movement has been discussed at great lengths. However, the history of the Black Panther Party can be called a ram to the general freedom of the black African-American community and minorities in the USA. The Young Lords' contribution is known to a lesser extent. The Black Panther Party (BPP), part of the African-American radical Black Power movement, combined the principles of black nationalism and the leftist movement in its ideology. The formation of the organization’s ideology was directly influenced by the worldview of not only several prominent African-American figures of the 1960s, such as Malcolm X or Stokely Carmichael, who were supporters of black nationalism but also the most influential theorists of the left revolutionary movement (Bloom & Martin, 2016). The ideology of the Black Panthers was based on a widespread struggle against various manifestations of racism, sexism, capitalism, and colonialism, the presence of which did not improve the situation of the African-American community (Bloom & Martin, 2016). As a result, the fundamental ideological guidelines of the Black Panthers can be laid out in a logical chain: members of the organization were supposed to carry out a “cultural revolution”in the African-American community, including by promoting the principles of black feminism, convincing the black population of the United States to become part of the world revolutionary movement, with the goal successfully combating institutional racism and bringing about radical socio-economic and political change in the country (Bloom & Martin, 2016).Weakened by outside assaults, legal issues, and internal divisions, the BPP saw a sharp decrease in power throughout the early 1970s (Bloom & Martin, 2016). To revitalize the party upon his release from prison in 1970, Newton disapproved of Cleaver's divisive rhetoric that emphasized the need for imminent violent conflict. Newton emphasized
3community service instead of confrontations with the police, such as free breakfast programs for kids and getting involved in politics in the middle of the 1970s (Bloom & Martin, 2016). However, allegations that Newton and other Panthers had committed extortion and violence against other Black people were made public, undermining their attempts to win back the public's support. Most Panther veterans, including Seale and Cleaver, had left the group by the middle of the 1970s, and Newton fled to Cuba after being charged with several crimes. Newton remained contentious after returning to the United States (Bloom & Martin, 2016). He continued to be politically engaged, finished his degree, and was involved in the drug trade. In an incident involving drugs in the summer of 1989, he was shot and killed in Oakland (Bloom & Martin, 2016). Even though the BPP movement has failed to reach its proclaimed aims, it became the ram that pushed other organizations forward to gain their long-deserved freedom and equal treatment. The Young Lords from the Bronx stemmed from the Chicago organization bearing thesame name, which is one such organization yet focused on Puerto Ricans who advocated for the rights of the marginalized community of the Bronx area in New York (Geber, 2021). The South Bronx was the poorest area the Puerto Ricans called home. However, despite being Americans, they were still perceived as foreigners. This was evident in the attitude of the city towards them. However, most visibly, it was manifested in the sphere of healthcare. The healthcare issue was so prominent that it became the backbone of the ideological fight of the Young Lords. Having spoken openly about the issues faced by the Puerto Rican community and the poor treatment received at Lincoln Hospital, they failed to be heard (Geber, 2021). Somethingsignificant needed to take place to make themselves more prominent. The best idea they had was a hospital takeover. However, this idea did not appear overnight. First, the Young Lords acquainted themselves with the hospital staff, who were residents of the same area and were
4aware of the atrocities occurring within. The Young Lords also approached the Health Revolutionary Union Movement (HRUM), which was gaining prominence then. They were fighting for the exact cause and had the same aim in sight. The latter was to improve the healthcare of the Latino community in the South Bronx. The X-Ray truck takeover was the first sign of action. Interestingly, the Young Lords did not intend violence despite their intimidating demeanor. They tried to increase awareness and attract people's attention to the problems experienced by the Puerto Ricans (Geber, 2021). The direct approach through the city's bureaucratic platforms did not help, as the Lincoln Hospital did not change a thing over a year after the first approach was made. Thus, the movement had to adopt a more radical approach. Sure thing, taking over the hospital is a violation of the law. However, this seems to be somewhat one-sided. The city did nothing to prevent the Young Lords from acting out, namely improving Lincoln Hospital's conditions and overall healthcare for the Latino Community (Geber, 2021). However, the Young Lords were found to be in the wrong when they tried to attract attention. However, even after the Lincoln Hospital takeover that lasted for 12 hours, nothing changed for seven years. Only when the malpractice at Lincoln Hospital became apparent dueto the death of Carmen Rodriguez during abortion did the city finally decide to act (Geber, 2021). The Lincoln Hospital was upgraded, and medical care was improved. However, the cost was high. Nonetheless, the Young Lords recollect the events with smiles on their faces. Most likely, they were happy that their fight resulted in something positive. Both organizations, the BPP and the Young Lords, attempted to change the situation. The BPP failed but gave way to such organizations as the Young Lords. Their aims differed slightly, with the BPP wishing for something more global, whereas the Young Lords
5specifically tackled the problems of their community. Taking steps one at a time, the latter managed to attain change. The BPP left a mark in history but failed to attain its proclaimed aims.
6ReferencesBloom, J., & Martin, W. E. (2016). Black against Empire: The history and politics of the Black Panther Party. Univ of California Press.Geber, T. (2021). Takeover. Vimeo. https://vimeo.com/651386804