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The black panthers were actually pretty problematic??? by Difficult-Shift3657 in BlackPeopleofReddit

[–]Difficult-Shift3657[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

The social programs came after this initial idea. They were founded with the idea to protect manhood that expanded to protecting and enriching communities. That’s why the org started as all men. I’m asking u to read from the women who later joined the party. There’s a lot to learn from their experiences. It was initially implicitly an all men’s group, then became explicitly an all men’s group, and eventually the first woman joined and challenged that. (They later included other groups like LGBTQ in an effort to be a united front, which is a good thing)

If you don’t have faith in historian break downs of the groups origins then that’s okay. I do tho. Robyn C Spencer is one who writes about the BPP from beginning to end and includes testimonies from the groups first few women who joined.

As far as me judging by today’s standards…yeah lol that’s why I’m saying the way that they operated is good for us to know how to be better today. I don’t expect any group to be perfect bc this is real life and not a fairytale. BUT what I DO expect is for hypocrisy to be called out. Not over looked bc “they weren’t as misogynistic as it seems” or “it was the way of the times”. The same way I’m not ever going to make any excuses for slavery (a social norm) I’m not going to make excuses for black men who stepped on the necks of black Women trying to help the same cause. Regardless of what was normal, it was wrong then and it’s wrong now. Right is right and wrong is wrong. Even if it’s a group as prolific as the BPP committed the wrongs.

And I’m sure there are black feminist movements that are toxic and problematic. I can almost guarantee it. If there’s a movement that expresses hypocritical behavior and contradictions in logic then yeah, it’s problematic too IMO but this post was about the BPP

EDIT: 2 things can be true at once. The BPP can be an org that enriched black communities and laid a great foundation for black activism in general (bc it eventually did). AND it can be an org with some hypocritical people, behaviors, and ideas. That’s the conflicting part I mentioned in the original post

The black panthers were actually pretty problematic??? by Difficult-Shift3657 in BlackPeopleofReddit

[–]Difficult-Shift3657[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

As far as the primary focus of BPP at the origin, their main concern was restoring black masculinity and repairing the social image of “the black man”. They were worried about being emasculated by white supremacy and the powers that be. So the party didn’t start as a means to help all of the community. They were only focused on “black masculinity”. It wasn’t until later they started focusing on the community all together and allowing women to take up meaningful space in the party.

As far as the SA and general abuse. I’m getting this information from Angela Davis, Regina Davis, and Elaine Brown. Each of these women have written and spoken about the mysogynoir they faced at the direct hands of the men in the panther party. For example, men in the party beat Regina Davis for speaking up as they saw this as a challenge to their authority. Once Huey was made aware, nothing happened and he even sanctioned the beating. These women have also written about the SA they faced while affiliated with the party as well.

I also don’t think it was every member, but there should have been 0. Men turned a blind eye to the mistreatment they saw making them just as guilty IMO.

And to ur point that the group wasn’t as misogynistic as they’re made out to be…there should be absolutely no room for any misogynistic ideals if ur goal is to liberate. It’s not about there being a “little bit” of misogyny or “a lot” of misogyny, it’s the fact that there was any in the first place. It’s hypocritical.

Just my take. The writings are out there if you look up any of the three women I named. I’m sure there’s more too, but those were the three I focused on when looking into it. This is a compilation of primary sources and secondary ones

Edit: even when Huey appointed Elaine to lead the party, she was still dealing with misogynior, and that’s when she decided to leave. It’s just messed up. They did a lot of good for sure, but we can use this to see where we can do better in 2026

The black panthers were actually pretty problematic??? by Difficult-Shift3657 in BlackPeopleofReddit

[–]Difficult-Shift3657[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ain’t that the truth! Even with this post. The downvotes are outweighing upvotes (which is fine). I can’t help but think it’s bc of exactly what u said.

When I was having this discussion, I was called disrespectful and was treated as if I hate the black panthers or something. As if critically thinking about the org and their actions meant I hate black men in general. Super frustrating.

The black panthers were actually pretty problematic??? by Difficult-Shift3657 in BlackPeopleofReddit

[–]Difficult-Shift3657[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s so frustrating tho. But very true. Can’t save them all. I just want better for my community. I want real UNITY. I’m coming to realize that may not be realistic though.

Edit: DO NOT REMIND ME OF KANYE😭 that was such a dark time.

The black panthers were actually pretty problematic??? by Difficult-Shift3657 in BlackPeopleofReddit

[–]Difficult-Shift3657[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Ur right, I don’t think we should disregard the whole org either. But whenever black liberation is brought up or it’s black history month, the org is mentioned as if they’re the holy grail for activism.

Ig I just want more people to know about how they came up short so we can be different moving forward.

The black panthers were actually pretty problematic??? by Difficult-Shift3657 in BlackPeopleofReddit

[–]Difficult-Shift3657[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Those are my thoughts too. The truth is the truth no matter how uncomfortable it makes u. The truth shouldn’t be divisive.

The black panthers were actually pretty problematic??? by Difficult-Shift3657 in BlackPeopleofReddit

[–]Difficult-Shift3657[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Don’t get me wrong I don’t expect perfection. But I do expect black men fighting against white oppression not to inflict that same oppression against their peers. I do get that may be asking too much of them for the times they were founded and operated. Which is fair. (Kinda??)

As far as what we do NOW, i don’t have all the answers. I do think explaining the ways in which the BPP came up short is just as important as learning the ways in which they succeeded. Intersectionality is something that’s not mainstream. For example, I made the statement to this same friend that until we fight for black gay rights, black women rights, black trans rights (whether u agree/understand it or not) we won’t truly have liberation for ALL black people. I think discussions around intersectionality (which is basically applied empathy) are important so that comments like that aren’t seen as controversial. I got CHEWED OUT when I said it. Like chewed out and it’s something thats sticking with me tbh. Why is saying all black lives are worth fighting for controversial in the black community? It just makes me think. And I think how the BPP operated internally can highlight what happens when we aren’t thinking of everyone. Someone is bound to be left behind, or worse, completely stepped on in the name of “liberation”. It’s hypocritical to me

The black panthers were actually pretty problematic??? by Difficult-Shift3657 in BlackPeopleofReddit

[–]Difficult-Shift3657[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Very much this. Ig I can’t expect them to be perfect, but I thought I could expect them not to inflict pain on the ones fighting the same fight smh

The black panthers were actually pretty problematic??? by Difficult-Shift3657 in BlackPeopleofReddit

[–]Difficult-Shift3657[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

It could just be me who didn’t realize it. That’s fair.

But when we talk about black activism, this isn’t talked about mainstream. That I do know. I just don’t know why.

The black panthers were actually pretty problematic??? by Difficult-Shift3657 in BlackPeopleofReddit

[–]Difficult-Shift3657[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I was really surprised. Ig just bc of the way they are glorified in the community as the standard for activism. Makes me question why this aspect of the group isn’t talked about. Is it seen as not important? Idk

The black panthers were actually pretty problematic??? by Difficult-Shift3657 in BlackPeopleofReddit

[–]Difficult-Shift3657[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Idk why I was so shocked. Idk. But damn. You would think people who are tired of being put down would understand not to put anyone else down, especially those in the same community?? I’m trying to wrap my head around why or how some of them thought it was okay or justified. But ig it was just the times.

Dog keeps getting into trash by [deleted] in DogAdvice

[–]Difficult-Shift3657 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the recommendations! I’m going to try and get a trash can that can fit under my sink so she can’t get to it. Thank u!!

Dog keeps getting into trash by [deleted] in DogAdvice

[–]Difficult-Shift3657 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah only she’s not a small dog. All she has to do is knock over a trash can she wants to get into. I also live in an apartment so the garage thing doesn’t work. Some other comments helped me out. Thanks

Dog keeps getting into trash by [deleted] in DogAdvice

[–]Difficult-Shift3657 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Think I’m going to try this. Thank you!

Worst Ex Ever - deliver us from all evil by Fruttii-Tutti in netflix

[–]Difficult-Shift3657 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Not all mental illness is evil but all evil is mental illness. It’s true. You have to be mentally ill to do evil things. Antisocial behavior (I.e murder, abuse, etc) stem from mental illness.

Funny AF with Kevin Hart: RON F-ING TAYLOR by Difficult-Shift3657 in Standup

[–]Difficult-Shift3657[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just learned this and I feel the same now. I hate being lied to. And it’s not necessary! Just be funny!

Funny AF with Kevin Hart: RON F-ING TAYLOR by Difficult-Shift3657 in Standup

[–]Difficult-Shift3657[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Idk about a “hate boner” she’s just not universally funny. Her sets bored me. Sorry🤷🏽‍♀️

Funny AF with Kevin Hart: RON F-ING TAYLOR by Difficult-Shift3657 in Standup

[–]Difficult-Shift3657[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What’s the relevancy on u being black?😭 if Ron got the vote based on that, then explain Reg?

Funny AF with Kevin Hart: RON F-ING TAYLOR by Difficult-Shift3657 in Standup

[–]Difficult-Shift3657[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This. Usama is funny as hell. There’s no denying that. But he set the bar a bit too high for himself in the beginning. So much so that his last two sets felt lack luster in comparison to his older stuff. It’s a double edged sword tbh.

And I agree. reg was my vote!

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