Editor’s Note:
This is an interview with a member of The Black Panther Party for Self Defense in Washington State (BPPSD). In this interview, they outline the organization’s outlook on many topics, some of which we disagree with, namely their view of Intercommunalism, the role of the lumpenproletariat, and the cause of the Black Panther Party’s dissolution. Nevertheless, we respect their insight as a descendant organization of the original Black Panther Party. We hope our readers find the interview valuable. The BPPSD can be found online at @BPP.WA on Instagram and at https://www.blackpantherpartywa.com. – Eli Sorrel
Interview conducted by Malekee Beals
Questions:
What inspiration and lessons do you take from the original Black Panther Party?
A: We are a continuation of the legacy of the Party. We follow the same rules (with some updates), same platform, and strive for the same goals. All things evolve, but at the very core, it is still what it was.
What are your organization’s views on Revolutionary Intercommunalism?
A: Intercommunalism was introduced into the Black struggle by Dr. Huey P. Newton. We wholeheartedly embrace Intercommunalism and are actively working to further evolve the ideology to encompass the changes that have occurred globally since the 70’s and 80’s. The rise of technology has only further extended the reach of capitalism and made it easy for everyone to participate. That alone means the idea has to evolve to remain relevant. We are working to assist that process.
What does your org do to serve the people in your communities?
A: We have many survival programs running, and many in development. Our most well-known program is FTP (Feed The People). We feed our houseless neighbors biweekly (presently), heavily supported by community volunteers. But there is also the Afeni Shakur CommUNITY Political Education Class, the Che Brooks CommUNITY Book Club, and the George Jackson CommUNITY Defense Class.
What are some campaigns your organization is participating in?
A: Our most consistent campaign has been the struggle for justice in the murder of Said Joquin. Said was murdered by Lakewood terrorist Mike Wiley on May 1, 2020. We are also currently engaged in supporting the people’s position around the City Charter, particularly around police accountability and the reactionary Tacoma city government. Equally importantly, we are working with Thrett Brown to establish a city-wide (initially) BSU to build a cohesive student movement to speak in defense of their needs and desires as they traverse the AmeriKKKan education system.
What does your org think about mutual aid?
A: Mutual aid is cool…until it isn’t. At its core, mutual aid is great. However, if it never progresses beyond mutual aid to become a sustainable model for community empowerment (maintained by the community itself, not some overbearing org) we have simply replaced oppression with dependency, which eventually becomes oppression.
What are unique attributes of struggling for Black liberation in a predominantly white region like the PNW?
A: The biggest challenge is the absence of an actual “Black community”. Gentrification, in tandem with an already small population, makes it harder to facilitate Black programming with consistency. In addition, the community has adopted an unhealthy relationship with capitalism and the exploitation inherent to it. With such low numbers in a place where the cost of living is so high, finding people focused on freedom over finance is a daunting task. That’s where community PE comes into play. This is a forum where we can directly address these issues and develop a system of community economics relevant to the current landscape to ensure our survival.
What can non-Black people do to support the liberation of Black people?
A: Educate, organize, and mobilize your communities in support of Black and/or “BIPOC” communities. Utilize your privilege to defend and uplift traditionally disenfranchised groups of people. That’s what makes The Panther Party so important. You get an opportunity to see Panther ideology for the revolutionary science that it is. It’s this that makes us believe in the impossible.
Do you have opinions on Kevin Rashid Johnson and the Revolutionary Intercommunal BPP?
A: Nope
What do you think about the role of the Lumpenproletariat in making revolution?
A: The Lumpenproletariat are an absolute necessity. Who understands better the depths of the depravity of this system? The lack of a connection to the colonial industrial machine leaves them with little hesitance in rebelling against would-be rulers. In all fairness, the perceived ignorance of the lumpen is overstated in my opinion. Many of the brothers and sisters from what they would consider the lumpenproletariat have been politicized and risen beyond the limitations of life in poverty. These comrades are the fabric that ties the struggle for freedom on American together. Our struggle has been unique, and the lumpen are the true representatives of this.
What is your organization’s understanding of the collapse of the Black Panther Party?
A: Our O.G.s have been very involved in our inception, our growth on a local level, and our expansion beyond the West Coast. We have been made acutely aware of COINTELPRO’s impact. But more importantly, the egos and unprincipled acts that lead to the deteriorating fabric of the Party. The boldest voice for the liberation of Black and oppressed people couldn’t be allowed to thrive. The FBI exploited every detected psychological weakness across the Party’s membership, destroying the foundation of love and trust it was built on. By the time Huey closed the doors in 1982, the Black Panther Party was a whisper on the breath of the wind. Between that, the rampant sexism and misogyny, and attacks never before seen against an AmeriKKKan bred organization, the Panthers were destined for destruction. But still, we rise.
What are some future aspirations of your org?
A: We will continue to patrol communities and defend the people against police terrorism, and establish even more survival programs to meet the material needs of the people. We will engage the masses in the political process, heightening the contradictions between the people and the system, and even the system and the various subsystems that have spawned in response to it. Going forward, we will continue to educate the people as to the actual nature of our position here and globally, and turn that awakening into mobilization towards the goal of liberation. We will open liberation schools, hold quarterly symposiums to empower Black women, and provide young brothers and sisters with revolutionary role models committed to uplifting them as opposed to making them feel attacked or less than. We plan to delve deeper into the cultural aspects of physical and mental health, food sovereignty, and much more.
What do you think about the upcoming 2024 elections?
A: Same as always. Whoever’s going to win is going to win. Local elections hold more weight in our day-to-day, which is why the fight against the charter is important. The City Manager has entirely too much power to not have to be elected by the people. But that’s a song for another party.
What is the approach your organization takes when it comes to achieving Black liberation?
A: Educate, organize, politicize, mobilize, militarize…in whatever order is needed. That’s a loaded question.
What is your organization’s stance on reparations?
A: Reparations is a part of our 10 Point Platform. We support and stand with all movements for reparations that are legitimately fighting for the people to get their just due. And even that would be a drop in the ocean. But long story less long, we stand 100% in solidarity with the demand for reparations.
In the aftermath of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood (Oct 7) the Palestinian solidarity movement has expanded massively, can you comment on how the struggle of Black people in the US and Palestinians are related?
A: During and after the “official” dissolution of slavery, the black community is no stranger to forced displacement, ethno-religious abuse and a smear campaign that labels those of us willing to fight back as nothing more than terrorists. We know all too well the pain of being subjugated based on our race, our color, our culture, and having that used against us in our plight to secure housing, employment, and basic civil rights.
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