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rachelbram 's review for:
This book is so important. It provides a nuanced look at the Black Panther Party, and complicates without vilifying the Party or its members.
Before reading this book, I mainly knew that the Panthers were known for carrying weapons and that was why they were "scary" to white people/the U.S. government. Later I learned that about the Free Breakfast programs, so that became the bulk of what I knew about them. In Ava DuVernay's documentary 13th, I learned about the assassination of Fred Hampton. So in my mind, the murders and incarcerations of Panther leaders was why the Party fell apart. I don't know if I realized the roles of government informants/provocateurs, or how government concessions removed allies' reasons to work with the Panthers.
I'm really glad I read this book.
Before reading this book, I mainly knew that the Panthers were known for carrying weapons and that was why they were "scary" to white people/the U.S. government. Later I learned that about the Free Breakfast programs, so that became the bulk of what I knew about them. In Ava DuVernay's documentary 13th, I learned about the assassination of Fred Hampton. So in my mind, the murders and incarcerations of Panther leaders was why the Party fell apart. I don't know if I realized the roles of government informants/provocateurs, or how government concessions removed allies' reasons to work with the Panthers.
I'm really glad I read this book.