Despite the fact that the Black Panther’s Party was a nonviolent movement that intended to protect the oppressed, groups like COINTELPRO stated that their goal was to, “disrupt or destroy the Party,” (Newton 1.) The COINTELPRO (counterintelligence program) was created by the FBI to neutralize radical political groups in America. The director of COINTELPRO J. Edgar Hoover had a bad reputation in the black culture, W. E. B. Dubois (civil rights activist) called him, “An undemocratic racist who saw blacks as a species of ‘sub-men,’” (Garcia 507). Hoover never openly advocated against Jim Crow laws, he instead believed that white supremacy was indeed moral, and he took a gradualist approach to Black advancement. Therefore, Hoover aiming to destroy the Black Panther Party was not a surprise understanding his white supremacist mindset. He …show more content…
Newton compared police officers who mistreat civilians, to gangsters since both violate the laws. The only difference is that police officers work for the government, making their actions easily justifiable. Unlike a militant group, the Black Panther Party did not promote violence, simply, they protected themselves from brutality of the oppressor. Hoover also called the Black Panther Party, “The greatest threat to the internal security of the country.” This statement is completely false, unless Hoover considers creating multiple programs benefiting American people’s lives, and protecting the oppressed “threatening.” Newton said to the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam, Our struggle for liberation is based upon justice and equality for all men. Thus we are interested in the people of any territory where the crack of the oppressor’s whip may be heard …This will lead us into the era where the withering away of the state will occur and men will extend their hand in friendship throughout the