#07 "Black Panther Party"

Media: Episode Recording -- "Black Panther Party"; Episode Preview -- "Black Panther Party"

Podcast Teaser Trailer: Episode Preview -- "Black Panther Party"
Link to Podcast: Episode Recording -- "Black Panther Party"
Episode Number: Students Podcasting History Episode #07
Episode Title: #07 "Black Panther Party"
Episode Date: April 29, 2025
Key Words: Black Panther Party, Radical, Free Breakfast, Huey P. Newton, Bobby Seale
Episode Introduction: The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense, founded in Oakland, California in October 1966 by Bobby Seale and Huey P. Newton, represented a moment in the struggle for racial justice in the United States. The Party was committed to ending systemic oppression and police brutality and took a radical approach to realizing its mission by employing armed self-defense in a period when the overwhelming majority of Civil Rights protests were peaceful. The revolutionary purpose behind this seeming militarization of purpose was an effort to protect African American communities, exposing the need for radical local and national change to reduce systemic inequalities and injustices. Fred Hampton, Eldridge Cleaver, you and P. Newton, Bobby Seale, and others offered strong direction in defining the Party’s ideology and actions. Beyond self-defense, the Party organized other initiatives, mostly focused on addressing poverty, health, and education issues. One of the greatest social achievements by the Party was its Free Breakfast for Children Program, which fed thousands of underserved children and reminded people of the link between hunger and institutional neglect. The Party also sponsored free health clinics and offered educational support to reinforce their intent to support under-resourced communities. The Black Panther Party also had a powerful cultural impact. The Black Panther Party was a person of color-led organization. The Black Panther Party prioritized declaring their existence through culturally defined initiatives that underscored ongoing struggles against racism and oppression. The group developed both aesthetic and cultural forms in some of their programs, especially meal programs.
Hosted By: Michael Showalter
Host Biography: I, Michael Showalter, am a proud native of Jasper, Tennessee, and currently pursuing a degree in History at The University of the South in Sewanee. Beyond my academic pursuits, I dedicate myself to serving and protecting the Sewanee community as a member of the Sewanee Volunteer Fire Department. Additionally, I remain connected to giving back to my alma mater, Jasper Middle School, where I coach football. As the offensive coordinator, I lead the offensive and defensive line, sharing my passion for the game while mentoring young athletes. I was born in Detroit, Michigan, and lifelong fan of Detroit’s teams. Through my podcast, I dive into pivotal moments in history, including the significance of the Black Panther Party. By examining key figures, the radical activism, and the lasting cultural impact they’ve had on today’s America, I aim to shed light on the Black Panther Party’s influence on civil rights and justice. My passion for history and storytelling reflects my drive to inspire and connect with others through the lessons of the past.
The Show: Students Podcasting History is an educational resource developed by students in Dr. Andrew Maginn’s History of the United States II course to highlight crucial movements in American History through podcasting. The students research and interpret primary and secondary sources to discuss pivotal themes, people, and events in the United States' history from 1865 through the present. Through creatively sharing these narratives and learning digital tools, these students hope to make history more accessible and exciting for the general public.
Source: Dr. Andrew Maginn, “BBP Spread and Appeal,” History 202: History of the United States (class
lecture, Sewanee: The University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee, April 4, 2025).
Locke, Joseph. THE AMERICAN YAWP. Vol. 2, Stanford University Press, 2019.
The Civil Rights Movement Continues
Flanigan, Shawn, and Ricky J Pope. “‘Serving Revolution for Breakfast: The Intersection of
Activism, Service, and Violence in the Black Panther Party’s Community Service Programs,’
with Ricky Pope. Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Social Problems, Denver, CO
August 2012.,” n.d.
STREET, JOE. “The Historiography of the Black Panther Party.” Journal of American
Studies 44, no. 2 (2010): 351–75. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021875809991320.
Nelson, Alondra. “ORIGINS OF BLACK PANTHER PARTY HEALTH ACTIVISM.” In Body
and Soul: The Black Panther Party and the Fight against Medical Discrimination, 49–74.
University of Minnesota Press, 2011. http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5749/j.ctttt9qf.7.
Abron, JoNina M. “The Legacy of the Black Panther Party.” The Black Scholar 17, no. 6
(1986): 33–37. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41067327.
Cleaver, Eldridge. Soul on Ice. United States: Random House Publishing Group, 1999.
Skylar’s old channel ARCHIVED. 2019. “Black Panther Party Speech Compilation.”
0:45-1:49 YouTube. February 6, 2019.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7VZVGxmmgU.
Contact Information: Michael Showalter
University of the South
Showamj0@sewanee.edu
https://www.andrewwyattmaginn.org/Digital_Humanities/s/studentspodcastinghistory/page/home