In 1972 Huey P. Newton, co-founder and political
theoretician of the Black Panther Party wrote the words:
“To die for the......racists.....is lighter than a feather.
But to die for the people.....is heavier than any mountain
and deeper than any sea.”
Today, in building the NPVM we continue the legacy
of the Black Panther Party with the clear understanding
that it is our revolutionary duty to learn from it’s
mistakes. Huey’s words expressed the deep love for
the people that inspired the many thousands who joined
the Black Panther Party and became actively involved
in serving the people. These young brothers and sisters
showed unquestionably that they could indeed die for
the people, tragically many of them did! Many like
Chairman Fred Hampton were ruthlessly assassinated
by the police and FBI agents, however the gift
of hindsight allows us to see that others died unnecessary
deaths, often a result of brave but ill-conceived
acts of defiance against the state and its forces.
In the true spirit of the Black Panther Party, the
NPVM’s essence is our love for the people and like
the Panthers of the past we understand that the path
we have chosen may well lead us to “die for the people.”
Death is not an uncommon occurrence within our communities:
the saddest development is that for the first
time since we were stolen and bought to this land
we are responsible for killing each other. The rate
at which young Black men today are dying at the hands
of young Black men is horrifying. An entire generation
of our youth have grown up surrounded with death and
consequently attach very little value to life.
In this environment we believe that for any one wishing
to become a member of the NPVM the real challenge
is to display the desire, commitment and dedication
to live for the people! The struggle for our liberation
is a very serious matter and a great consumer of energy.
It is also the most rewarding work any of us could
be involved in. The struggle for our freedom can often
inspire both talents and abilities which this racist
society tries to convince us we don’t have. So while
we build the movement, our involvement helps
us to grow and develop personally.
The Panther Vanguard is committed to continuing our
historic struggle for freedom, justice and equality,
fighting the daily oppression that our people continue
to be subjected to in America and around the world.
To this end we welcome the participation of anyone
who is serious enough to live for the people!
(continued)
