By Wadner Pierre
PBS Published a documentary about the Black Panthers titled, The Black Panthers Vanguard of the Revolution. This documentary reveals the real goal of the Panthers, which was to end racial discrimination, social injustice against people of colored in America.
In this documentary former Black Panthers members talked about their struggle to overcome social inequality in a country that had not recognized African-Americans as the citizens of the United States, and that they have the same rights just like their fellow white Americans.
Contrary to what FBI officials at that time wanted American people and the rest of the world to believe that the Panthers represented a threat for America, the Panthers made it clear that they were not haters (they did not hate white Americans). Instead, they were against racial, economic and political exclusion of their race.
FBI willingly misled the nation by fabricating false stories against the Panthers. As the PBS documentary shows, people from all walk of life, black and white, youth and adults, professionals, students and university professors joined the Panthers in their battle against social, economic and political injustice that people of color were facing throughout the nation.
Today, there is no doubt that progress has been made; America elected a black president twice and this was an unprecedented change in the country’s history. It brought tears to the eyes of those who had never dreamed of seeing a black man in the Oval office. Nonetheless, it is obvious that America has a long way to go when it comes to eradicate racism and to end social injustice, particularly injustice against African-Americans and other minority communities in the nation.
Additionally, it is important to point out the degree at which some conservative political leaders, would-be presidents, are against immigrants who are immigrated to America like their great grand-parents from Europe did just few centuries ago, to pursue their happiness. Do they forget their stories or do they pretend they do?
To conclude, it is safe to say that the battle against racism and social equality that Black Panthers had fought for, has not been won. American schools are more segregated than they were 50 years ago. America has incarcerated more black men than any other races. Therefore, the struggle for social justice and social equality (equal access to quality education, healthcare and adequate houses) in America will continue until those demands are met.
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