Vickey Ho

AP US History

Period 3

Newton

Eldridge Cleaver

1. Identify your position in the Civil Rights Movement and state what you see as the biggest

accomplishment of the Civil Rights Movement up to date.

I was the leader of the Black Panther Party, an organization for equal rights for African

Americans. The Black Panther Party was created to protect and patrol African Americans from

acts of police brutality. One of my biggest accomplishments was the rebellions I led, including

the “Free Huey” rebellion where people revolted to free Huey Newton, an African American

political activist. In addition, I ran for president, where my goal was to create an African

American socialist government to spread my ideas.

2. What role did you or your organization play in achieving that breakthrough?

My organization, the Black Panther Party, allowed African American neighborhoods to become

more safe and help them learn self defense. We wanted to help minority communities against the

evils of the U.S. government and fought to establish revolutionary socialism through mass

organizing and community based programs.

3. What is your first priority for the Movement at this point?

My first priority is to keep African American communities and residents safe from the

government and police brutality.

4. What strategy will be most likely to affect that change?

The most likely strategy is to revolt against the government and encourage others to join with us.

Also, teaching African Americans self defense will help keep them protected.

5. Is violence justified at this point? Explain your reasoning.

Yes, because Whites are using violence to fight us for no reason. Police brutality is occurring

throughout the U.S. towards African Americans. Violence is needed to stop them from fighting

us because of our race. We need to show them that we are ready to fight for our rights.

6. What is your position on segregation as opposed to integration? Explain your rationale.

Integration allows Whites to fight us more and use extremist ways to kick us out. Although we

are not given equal rights, segregation allows African Americans to become protected and safe

from the government and police brutality.

7. How important is it to you (and your organization) to work with white leaders to bring

equality for African Americans?

It is not important to work with white leaders. I ran for president to establish an African

American socialist government because Whites will never want to bring equality to us. They

continue to use violent actions to prevent us from gaining rights, therefore, we must fight back

too.