Panthers
The formation of the Black Panthers began because of the brutality from the police towards Blacks. These black men were tired of seeing the people in their community be scared and do nothing about the abuse from the white man. Blacks were fed up with the government ignoring the important needs in their community, and decided that it was time to learn their rights and exercise it to get results. When the Black Panthers first started other Black people of the community viewed them as a problem. Some believed they were communist and didn’t believe in God. Some of the younger generation viewed them as being just a bunch of talk. Once the Panthers showed that they were knowledgeable and exercised their rights more of the black community welcomed the with open arms. More of the community wanted to be apart. The government thought of the Black Panthers as being a joke, a bunch of kids making fuss about a street light. That was until they started to notice that the Panthers were making a statement. Once they saw that the Panthers knew their rights and wouldn’t tolerate the abuse, they started calling them communist. They believed the blacks were working for a higher authority. The Panthers felt it was their duty to address all Black community issues. They were uplifting and helping to the Black community. They helped with food, shelter, and security. They taught their peers how to help each other and keep money flowing within their own community.
The Panthers governed themselves by learning the laws and their rights. They exercised their first amendment to bare arms. They served and protected the Black name and community. They also followed the words and opinions of Malcolm X. They stood up for what was right and refused to remain a stepping mat to the white man. The Black Panthers made a statement by making demands to the government. In a letter they sent to the government officials they made four demands.