Black Panthers: An American Culture

The image I chose was of Bill’s Liquors boycott, with Clark Bailey dancing and Michael Torrance and James Mott drumming. In the photo I see these proud men and women demonstrating for what they believe. They were demonstrating against Bill’s Liquors because the store had failed to honor their agreement to support the party’s survival programs. The group is the Panther band, representing Oakland in 1971. This image communicates a lot about this particular American culture.
The image caught my eye as you can immediately notice Clark Bailey’s swagger. Through the demonstrations and boycotting music was often heard. This photo resembles the rhythm and beat that the Black Panther party brought to pass the time of the boycotting. Through spiritual music it kept the party together, motivated, and more willing to demonstrate.
The style of the people is clearly represented as well. On both the male and female you can see the afro. The afro was a popular hair style for African Americans during that time.
This photograph represents more than just a boycott. It was their way of life during the 60’s and 70’s. From children to elder, all supported the effort and learned of the evils and wrong doings that were being placed upon them. It shows that as a group they came together to fight and if you were not apart of them you were against them. This photograph also represents that we as a whole, are still divided. That even African Americans could not always agree on what was right from wrong, as well as, knowing how to solve the discrimination that was occurring at the time