What happen to the Black Panthers ?

Answer 1

Good question. First, to comment on what others have said-

They didn't reactivate the group, and they were never a racist group. The New Black Panther Party is a racist organization that can in NO WAY be compared to the original Black Panther Party. I realize the names cause confusion. And another thing that causes confusion is the fact that one of the former members of the original Panthers, Michael McGee, created the Black Panther Militia which later became the New Black Panther Party under the leadership of Aaron Michaels. However, neither the name nor Michael McGee's involvement is reason to believe that the two groups are the same. Michael McGee himself stated that he was, "not advocating what the Black Panthers were advocating. Our militia will be about violence. I'm talking actual fighting, bloodshed and urban guerilla warfare."

The original Panthers operated on love for black people, and all other people as well. In fact, they even united with white revolutionary groups. They didn't advocate hatred for non-blacks and never declared war on non-black society or the white establishment. Their goal was to uplift black people, fight racism/discrimination, and practice self defense. They were role models who believed in the unity of all people regardless of color. They initiated breakfast programs, they led door to door health service programs, and they encouraged gangs to end their activities and participate in the fight for equality. At one time, the Panthers were responsible for feeding THOUSANDS of children each day throughout this country. The original Panthers were not only concerned with the problem of racial inequality and discrimination but also the huge gap between socioeconomic classes. They were very much in keeping with Malcom X's desire to unite the working class, including people of all races and genders.

On the other hand, the New Black Panther Party is, as I said, a racist organization. They are in complete agreement with white racist groups on the topic of racial separatism and support achieving this by any means necessary. They advocate anything that they believe will accomplish their goals, including violence. The late Khallid Abdul Muhammad, the New Black Panther's former leader, was so notoriously racist and hateful that Louis Farrakhan removed him from the Nation of Islam's leadership.

You can listen to Khallid Muhammad here-
( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzRM2tzQ-bY ). I realize that YouTube is not a reliable source for information. However, it is widely known that Mr. Muhammad did indeed say these things. This speech/sermon was not the only time in which he spewed racist, hatemongering rantings. And this is just one example of the attitude that motivates the New Black Panther Party. It is absolutely disgusting to compare the original Black Panther Party with the New Black Panther Party. They are not the same AT ALL, and the New Black Panther Party has no legitimate basis by which to use the Black Panther name.

Concerning what happened to the original Panthers:

In my opinion, it's unfair to say that some of the Panthers became criminals. (I know that you, the asker of the above question, didn't make this claim. I'm referring to others.) Dependency on drugs did become an issue for Huey Newton and Eldridge Cleaver. And Stanley Tookie Williams was a member, and believed by many to be the co-founder, of the Crips (which gave rise to the common misconception that the Black Panther Party later formed the Crips). I'm not negating either of these facts. However, according to the FBI's bogus accusations, the Panthers have always been criminals.... This is one reason for their "split". They understandably became disillusioned. Law enforcement continuously assaulted the Panthers by employing false accusations / charges / and convictions, murder, and giving birth to (and feeding) public doubt as to what their purpose was. Many Panthers, as I said, were murdered. Others were forced to flee the country. And there were those who simply gave up.

Another reason for the "split" was the fact that there was some disagreement about whether or not to embrace white people in the fight for equality. The issue was NOT separatism. It was regarding differences in opinions as to whether or not to wholeheartedly accept non-blacks in the fight for equality. The argument was basically about whether or not blacks could achieve their due repect by "standing on their own two feet", so to speak, or by accepting the help of others. But this was a MINOR issue compared to the constant harassment by the FBI and other law enforcement.

The Black Panther Party will, and always will, be a testament to what love and devotion truly means.

Answer 2

I believe they re-activated the group about 10 years ago, but I heard they do not follow the leadership of the living legendary members like Booby Seale, Bobby Rush, Elaine Powers, etc...

Answer 3

They're still around but do not play as much of a major role anymore like they used to. They still argue for civil rights and have rallies but they are not as prominent anymore.

Answer 4

Some of them started worship the Honorable Elijah Muhammad when he was alive (became Muslims). Some of them became criminals. And some of them are dead!

Answer 5

The same thing that happened to the Ku Klux Klan, they are hopefully fading away as all racist organizations should.

Answer 6

theyre still alive and kicking

Answer 7

they broke up into the bloods and the crips

Answer 8

i dont kno