Huey percy newton was a cofounder and leader of the black panther party for selfdefense, a group formed in 1966 in oakland to organize african americans against police brutality and racism. Newton set the example people of color must defend their humanity. Stream adfree with amazon music unlimited on mobile, desktop, and tablet. In this performance, smith creates a representation of the activist huey p. Roger guenveur smith, georgina ransley, marlon brando, h. Newton story has been a labour of love and patience for roger guenveur smith. Newton story ahpns, in association with pbs and african heritage network. Outside the twostory camron stanford house in oakland ca. Director spike lee and roger guenveur smith collaborate for the 7th time to bring newton s thoughts, philosophies, history and flavour to life. Newton story is the film adaptation of roger gueneur smiths obie awardwinning, offbroadway solo performance. It was filmed before a live audience and spike lee directs the film with his signature mix of film and archival footage to capture the thoughts of this revolutionary political leader. There was no video or picture evidence of what happening in. Huey percy newton february 17, 1942 august 22, 1989 was an africanamerican political activist who cofounded the black panther party in 1966 and was a key figure in the africanamerican civil rights movement during the mid20th century.
Newton in a chair smoking a cigarette in black panther uniform. A lesson from huey newtons death the washington post. The movie was created, written and performed, as a solo performance, by roger guenveur smith at the joseph papp public theater. Convicted or charged with several murders and assaults during his life, newton was shot and killed in 1989 in the same poor oakland. Newton s life and time as a person, a citizen and an activist. However, truer things about him are shown through his writings, and through his documentaries. At the time of the black panther party, civil rights for black americans was a corner that had just been turned. Little bobby hutton was the first to join the newly formed black panther party.
With roger guenveur smith, rahum brown, georgina ransley, marlon brando. Newton and the black panther party has yet to be created. Hueys genius is that he took up where brother malcolm left off when he was assassinated. Newton story 2002 a radical roger guenveur smith from oakland, calif. Newton, who had been murdered in august of that year. Newton s life ended with his murder and his crack addiction, it would take severe conditions such as prison and poverty to vilify such an intelligent and heroic mind. From an idea in 1989 to a stage play in 1996 to a film in 2002, a huey p. Every american must see this to begin to understand one of the most major problems this country has.
Heading down the wrong path of a life, as a juvenile and committing crimes. Given current interest in the late leader and his black panther party legacy, smith could. Newtons most popular book is revolutionary suicide. Newton was born on february 17, 1942 in monroe, louisiana to the parents of armelia johnson and walter newton. Newton developed the black panther party based on his 10point program for social reform. Newton, the founding of the black panther party, taken from his. Newton, american political activist, cofounder with bobby seale of the black panther party originally called black panther party for selfdefense, an african american revolutionary group that reached the height of its popularity in the late 1960s. Never before did i even come close to understanding the dynamics of the conflict or the leader of the black panthers. Although this does not present the whole story, we, the editors of the fall.
The black panther party had directly opposed the involvement of black men in the vietnam war. The circumstances surrounding the shooting death of huey p. Newton facts huey percy newton february 17, 1942 august 22, 1989 was an africanamerican political activist and revolutionary who, along with. Newton story 2001 is an american film adaptation directed by spike lee. Huey percy newton legal definition of huey percy newton. Newton doctoral dissertation uc santa cruz 1jun1980 war against the panthers. Newton story is the film adaptation of smiths obie awardwinning, offbroadway solo performance of the same name. This essay examines the role of platonic literature and philosophy in part 2 of newtons 1973 revolutionary suicide rs and argues that platos republic, as the seminal text in newtons early adult life, intertextually directs the course of events, both the ways newton describes the plight of black america and how newton engages other literary texts, poetry in particular. Newton, charismatic cofounder of the revolutionary black panther party, tells the riveting story of his life and times in this oneman show. Listen to your favorite songs from huey newton speaks by huey p. Newton 174 followers huey percy newton was cofounder and leader of the black panther party for self defense, a civil rights organization that began in october 1966. Newton, the late cofounder of the black panther party.
Eldridge cleaver, bobby seale, angela davis, mumia abujamal, and geronimo pratt all came to international prominence through newtons. Newton through a series of improvisations based on his own words and writings. Newtons life and time as a person, a citizen and an. Newtons thoughts, like his action is clear and precise, cutting always to the very heart of the matter. He attended a variety of schools including merritt college before eventually earning a bachelors degree and a ph. He taught himself to read after graduating high school without being able to. His parents moved to oakland, california during newtons childhood. Newton has 19 books on goodreads with 20832 ratings. The film black panther, originally released as off the pig. Director spike lee and roger guenveur smith collaborate for the 7th time to bring newtons thoughts, philosophies, history and flavour to life.
Newton story roger guenveur smith delivers a provocative bio sketch in a huey p. Ezekiel phillips acts and directs the film with his signature mix of film. Newton story is the most enlightening work i have ever seen on the era. Doctor of philosophy in history of consciousness by huey p. It is a filmed performance of roger guenveur smiths oneman show of the same name. Newton story x a radical roger guenveur smith from oakland, calif. Eldridge cleaver became one of the bestknown black panthers. When huey was young his family settled in oakland california. Mio festival afforded an opportunity to stage a huey p. Stanley nelsons pbs depiction is riddled with distortion and inaccuracy and virtually ignores the partys enormous contributions to the historic struggle. Newton 19411989 set the political stage for events that would quickly place him and the panthers at the forefront of the african american liberation movement for the next twenty years. A study of repression in america a dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of. Biography, satire, and sociopolitical commentary blend within a landscape of.
Newton speaks about his political activities and events surrounding his trial from jail in san luis obispo, ca. In these selections from newtons writings and speeches, readers can trace the development of the activists personal and political thinking as well as the radical changes that took place in the politics, ideology, and actions of the black panther party. Beginning with his founding of the black panther party in 1966, huey p. Newton story is a 2001 american film adaptation directed by spike lee. The movie was created, written and performed, as a solo performance. Huey percy newton february 17, 1942 august 22, 1989 was an africanamerican political activist and revolutionary marxistleninist who, along with fellow merritt college student bobby seale, cofounded the black panther party 19661982. Explore the black panther partys history in oakland, ca. Huey was born underprivileged and surrounded by poverty. Newtons life and time as a person, a citizen and an activist. Newton, european journal of american studies online, 141 2019, online since 29 march. Together with seale, newton would patrol neighborhoods with loaded shotguns to defend africanamericans from racist violence at the hands of the. Bobby seale was the cofounder of the black panther party for self defense.