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THE NEW BLACK PANTHER PARTY

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Origin of the New Black Panther Party

  • The New Black Panther Party (NBPP) is not a direct continuation of the original Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPP) founded in Oakland, California in 1966 by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale.

  • The NBPP emerged in Dallas, Texas in 1989, founded by Aaron Michaels, a former radio producer and community organizer. It drew inspiration from the imagery and radical politics of the original Panthers but was a separate organization.

  • The original BPP leaders, including Bobby Seale and Elaine Brown, have publicly denounced the NBPP, saying it misrepresents the Panthers’ legacy.

Growth in the 1990s

  • In the early 1990s, the NBPP expanded under Khalid Abdul Muhammad, a former Nation of Islam spokesperson. He became its most prominent leader, shaping its militant, nationalist, and Pan-Africanist tone.

  • Muhammad was controversial for fiery speeches targeting systemic racism, police brutality, Zionism, and white supremacy. His rhetoric gained national attention and media coverage.

Ideology

  • The NBPP blends elements of:

    • Black Nationalism

    • Pan-Africanism

    • Militant Self-Defense

    • Community Organizing

  • It calls for self-determination, Black unity, and economic independence.

  • Unlike the original Panthers, who emphasized Marxist-Leninist socialism, the NBPP’s rhetoric is often more racially nationalist and influenced by the Nation of Islam’s teachings.

Activities

  • Community Programs: The NBPP has engaged in food programs, anti-drug campaigns, youth mentoring, and self-defense patrols against police misconduct.

  • Protests & Demonstrations: Active in protesting police killings of African Americans, racial profiling, gentrification, and U.S. wars abroad.

Controversy & Criticism

  • The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and Anti-Defamation League (ADL) classify the NBPP as a hate group due to its anti-Semitic and racist rhetoric under some leaders.

  • Former leaders of the original Black Panther Party have repeatedly stated the NBPP has no legitimate connection to their movement.

  • Media controversies (e.g., the 2008 Philadelphia voter intimidation case) put the NBPP in the spotlight, with accusations of militaristic behavior.

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