With an awe striking performance at the 50th Super Bowl, Beyonce assisted in resurrecting the legacy that is the Black Panther Party. Founded in 1966 in California, the Black Panther Party was a sociopolitical organization dedicated to establishing educational equality, secure housing, equal employment opportunities, and basic civil rights for the downtrodden. With their infamous Ten Point Program, members were not only able to understand where the organization planned to grow, but the sense of humanity it brought to the lives of the American people became realized, as well.

Despite excessive issues with the government and law enforcement (i.e. being vilified, criticized, and misrepresented) the Black Panther Party members stood as astounding examples for African American youth as to what could be accomplished in a more adequate America. Founders like Huey P. Newton–who held an undergraduate degree from Merritt College and a PhD from UC Santa Cruz–or excellent women like Angela Davis, who also held degrees, showed little brown and black girls alike that being a woman does not equate to inferiority, but it is a badge of honor, and women are able to do “men’s work” and vice versa.

Despite the tremendous strides the organization took toward positivity, it would be overshadowed by the disdain society seemed to have for it. As the government began plugging African American communities with drugs, abysmal economies, and violence, the Black Panther Parties partisanship would begin diminishing. As the members disappeared, it became easier for the government to completely end the organization. As African Americans today begin to exude their blackness unapologetically, society has begun to point fingers, insisting that this level of self-actualization is destroying the unity within America. The Black Panther Party is under immense scrutiny by uninformed, nimble-minded pessimists more today than at any other time. Individuals are spewing commentary which depicts the Black Panther Party as overtly aggressive and divisive. At a time in which information (the correct versions) is easily accessible, one would assume knowledge would be more sought after, but that theory has proven to be unrealistic

The Black Panther Party stood as a positive example (…still does) of what African Americans can accomplish with or without equality. Had the Party been a terrorist group as they are being depicted, would they have any support at all? I doubt individuals would subscribe to the jargon. The Black Panther Party was deemed “the greatest threat to internal security” by J. Edgar Hoover (head of the FBI) because they believed wholeheartedly in equality by any means necessary. It is no coincidence that a group based in liberating an oppressed people would receive backlash from a system built on inequality that allows actual terrorist groups to ignite terror and injustice throughout the country.

But do not take my word for it! Use this resource we have to gain clarity and insight on the Black Panther Party. #HappyLiberation!