The Black Panther Newspaper: Engaging with the Third World

The primary instrument of the BPP for engaging with anti-colonial activism and the Third World was the Party’s newspaper, The Black Panther. Overseen by Minister of Information Eldridge Cleaver, Minister of Culture Emory Douglas and edited by Judy Juanita, the newspaper used striking imagery which emphasised the centrality of violence in the colonial system, and the use of violence as a means to free oneself from colonial oppression. In this, they were heavily influenced by Frantz Fanon who asserted that “decolonization is always a violent event.” (Malloy, 2017, 96.) Also, the newspaper featured messages of support from revolutionary leaders in countries like China, Cuba, and North Korea, and included the diplomatic activities of Party members abroad.