The Black Panther Party Ten Point Program
- Origin:
- Oakland, California
- Date of Publication:
- 1966
- Nationality:
- United States
- Primary Purpose:
- Advocacy for Black Liberation and Self-Determination
Early History and Development
- Developed by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale, co-founders of the Black Panther Party.
- Emerged from a need to address systemic racism, police brutality, and economic inequality faced by African Americans.
- Originally published in 1966 and served as the Party's foundational platform.
Core Tenets of the Program
- We want freedom. We want power to determine the destiny of our Black Community.
- We want full employment for our people.
- We want an end to the robbery by the white man of our Black Community.
- We want decent housing, fit for shelter of human beings.
- We want education for our people that exposes the true nature of this decadent American society. We want education that teaches us our true history and our role in the present-day society.
- We want all Black men to be exempt from military service.
- We want an immediate end to POLICE BRUTALITY and MURDER of Black people.
- We want freedom for all Black men held in federal, state, county and city prisons and jails.
- We want all Black people when brought to trial to be tried in court by a jury of their peer group or people from their Black Communities, as defined by the Constitution of the United States.
- We want land, bread, housing, education, clothing, justice and peace.
Major Applications and Impact
- Guided the Black Panther Party's community programs, including free breakfast programs, medical clinics, and legal aid.
- Inspired similar programs and initiatives aimed at addressing social and economic disparities in other communities.
- Served as a framework for political activism and advocacy for Black rights during the Civil Rights Movement and beyond.
Legacy and Impact
The Black Panther Party Ten Point Program remains a significant document in the history of the Civil Rights Movement, underscoring the urgent need for social, economic, and political equality. It continues to influence contemporary discussions on race, justice, and liberation.