The Ten Point Program
Application to the Seattle chapter of the Black Panther Party, Source: Schaefer
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The Black Panther Party was originally created to achieve a set of ten goals, known as the "Ten Point Program". These ten demands, which included full employment of the black community and an immediate end to police brutality, were often referenced in Black Panther speeches, demonstrations, and events.
The Ten Point Program was composed by founders Huey Newton and Bobby Seale following the 1965 assassination of Malcolm X. Newton and Seale, who had prior been involved with black empowerment organizations such as the Afro-American Association, the Soul Students Advisory Council, and the Revolutionary Action Movement, developed the program as a reflection of their anti-racism and anti-imperialism views. The program became the primary philosophy of the party, included in all membership applications and frequently referred to by its leaders. |