PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

We Want Freedom
by Adam Corwin Monday, Jul. 12, 2004 at 11:21 PM
tomjoad@guerrillaunderground.com PO Box 801 Waynesburg, PA 15370

A book review of Mumia Abu Jamal's latest book on the Black Panther Party

We Want Freedom: A Life in the Black Panther Party
Mumia Abu-Jamal South End Press 2004

From the confines of a rural prison industrial complex hell in Southwestern Pennsylvania, Mumia Abu-Jamal has again transcended the institutionalized oppression by letting his voice rise above physical incarceration. In a non intimidating yet academic format, Mumia and South End Press have released an adaptation of his California State Master’s thesis that critically examines the roots, course, and split of the controversial Black Panther Party. As an understated arduous task to complete in a single work, Mumia has succeeded in bringing an impeccable historical recreation, intertwined with first hand experience and spirit only a former Party member could foster.

Until now, researching the complex revolutionary party encompassed interpreting biased media and public perception as driven by J. Edgar Hoover’s counter intelligence program (Cointelpro), while simultaneously sifting through illusive original panther newspapers and other more accessible works published by the Party members themselves or edited for a sampling of Party ideology. Through time consuming tedious reconstruction combined with personal interviews, it would be possible for an individual to possibly gain a basic understanding of what Mumia has left us documented in only a few hundred pages.

In fact, the Black Panther Party is a subject that many conservative factions would like to keep a secret. If the realities of community organization, free lunch programs, and African Americans demanding basic dignity were to become more synonymous with the Party than misrepresented gun wielding thugs in leather, the legitimacy of the Federal Bureau of Investigations murderous programs would blur the line between common perceptions of “good guys,” and “bad guys.”

It is important to note that Mumia’s work is not merely a feel good historical account from the “other” perspective; instead, We Want Freedom is an example of polished research, powerful voice, and well formatted presentation of the information contained within the pages. With a glowing introduction by the eloquent and admirable Kathleen Cleaver, this broad based volume is equally as enlightening to those familiar with the party as well as those who are becoming acquainted with a true United States twentieth century movement of the people.

Not content with stopping at the splitting of the Black Panther Party by the hands of Cointelpro operations, the last chapter delves into other movements that have sprung from the ashes and model of the Black Panther Party. Regardless of ones perspective, the Black Panther may have ended before accomplishing its many goals. This fact ultimately reflects little consequence to the importance of the party, the revolutionary honor and example that sprung from the imagination of two young men who were willing to die for their people is a victory that glows in the hearts of any subsequent rebels that have dared to stand up when they see injustice. As a result, Mumia’s single volume account of the Black Panther Party was long overdue. South End Publishing, Mumia Abu-Jamal, and the brave souls that risked their lives daring to boldly call themselves Panthers should all be commended for a job well done.

Hasta La Victoria Siempre!

Adam Corwin

Other suggested reading material on the subject:

War against the Panthers: Huey P. Newton
To Die for the People: Huey P. Newton
Soul on Ice: Eldridge Cleaver
Agents of Repressions – Jim Vander Wall and Ward Churchill
The Black Panthers Speak – Philip Foner
The Wretched of the Earth – Franz Fanon

www.guerrillaunderground.com

add your comments