By Adreon Walker-Nichols
Quote:
“The revolution has always been in the hands of the young. The young always inherit the revolution.” – Huey P. Newton
Huey P. Newton is one of the most widely Figures within Black history of America. He is known for making a huge movement in a defense for the Black Community especially when facing racial discrimination. Newton is the co-founder, along with Bobby Seale, of the Black Panther Party which originated in Oakland, California. He is also known for his strong activism in creating the Black Panther Party as it acted as an organization of defense for the black community facing racial conflicts and mistreatment of their civil rights. Due to gaining global support for his efforts, was invited to visit China at one point as a result of making changes. He welcomed large crowds around in China holding posters supporting the party and Criticizing US imperialism. When returning to the US Newton was forced to be on a look out for himself as he was tried for many attempted assassinations.
These attempts were from the US governments themselves but using random people as cover ups, as well as to hide the fact they had anything to do with those actions. Newton had no choice but to flee to Havana, Cuba to escape prosecution for some years. During his early years, Newton graduated from high school without receiving any support for literature, but taught himself to read as time progressed. He attended two Colleges – Merritt College and University of California at Santa Cruz – where he earned his BA and Ph.D. While in college Joined Afro-American Association and help to get the First African American History course to be adopted into the curriculum. This later motivated him to make stand in racial discrimination and a continuity of human rights for the Black Community. Newton would soon later meet his demise 1989 in West Oakland by a member of the Black Guerilla Family and drug dealer who goes by the name Tyrone Robinson. Newton would later be buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Oakland. Tyrone, however, was convicted of murder in 1991 and was given a 32 year sentence to life in prison.
Recommended Reading
The Radical Theorist
To Die for The People
Work Cited
Huey P. Newton (February 17, 1942- August 22, 1989). (2021a, March 22). National Archives. https://www.archives.gov/research/african-americans/individuals/huey-newton
Gritz, J. R. (2023, August 21). The misunderstood visionary behind the Black Panther Party. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-misunderstood-visionary-behind-the-black-panther-party-180982740/
Pan African Studies Encyclopedia 