The Black Panther Newspapers

Collection

Identifier: SPC-2022-044

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Black Panther Newspaper Collection (1967-1980) contains 10 boxes and 10.83 linear feet of newspaper. With over 400 issues, the Black Panther Newspaper covers a variety of topics, from community service to global events. The newspaper was also used to distribute information of the Black Panther Party’s (BPP) ideologies and any events or services that they would have had. It was often used to gather support for protests or for members that had become political prisoners. Covering topics such as in Vol. 3 No.10, “Free the Latino Seven,” seven Latino brothers were being accused of killing a San Francisco Cop, or the interview in Vol. 7 No. 28, between Elaine Brown and the recently released Angela Davis; the BPP expressed the support and solidarity for the brothers, brown people, and all intersectional groups. This collection is arranged chronologically.

Dates

1967-1980

Creator

Newton, Huey P. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

There are no access restrictions on this collection.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Biographical / Historical

The Black Panther Party (BPP) was co-founded in 1966 by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale in Oakland, California. Inspired by those like Malcom X, Chairman Mao Tse-Tung of the Communist Party of China, and the book "The Wretched of the Earth" by the Martiniquan psychiatrist Frantz Fanon. The BPP, unlike the typically peaceful Civil Rights protestors, were a militant group and believed that violence, or the potential of violence, was necessary. The Panthers were originally founded on the importance of self-defense and working together to monitor the treatment of African Americans by the police department. They began as a community organization before they quickly became a national party that not only focused on the rights of American American communities but other national and international oppressed communities as well. The Black Panther Party ended their operations in 1982, although various alumni groups continue to exist.

The Black Panther Newspaper began its publication in 1967 by Newton and Seale. It originally began as a local four page weekly newsletter before it became a national publication a year after the first printing. It was also known as The Black Panther Intercommunal News Service, the Black Panther Community News Service, and the Black Community News Service. The newspaper was the main publication of the BPP and played a major role in the rise of their international recognition. After thirteen years of publications, the Black Panther Newspaper’s final print was issued on September 16, 1980.

Extent

11 boxes

11.92 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection contains over 400 newspaper issues from 1967 to 1980, organized by the Black Panther Party(BPP). The newspaper covers a variety of topics, from community to global events. It was also used to distribute information of the BPP’s ideologies and their support for different groups fighting oppression.

Related Materials

For related material see: "Black Panther Publications and Related Articles" collection, SPC.2022.032; "Civil Rights Collection" SPC.2022.009; "Selma, Alabama Civil Rights Movement Collection" SPC.2019.036; "Malcolm X Photograph" collection SPC.2020.009; and others.