Huey P. Newton
Ranked #14,075 in Culture & Society, #284,805 overall
Co-Founder of the Black Panther Party
Some remember Huey P. Newton as a gifted leader, while the local and national political establishment viewed him as a common criminal who possessed the ability to inspire people. In other words, a con-artist with leadership skills and a Ph.D.
Huey Percy Newton was born on February 17, 1942, in Monroe, Louisiana. In 1966, Newton, along with Bobby Seale, co-founded the Black Panthers in Oakland, California.
Whether Newton and the Panthers are remembered in a positive or a negative light, no one questions Newton's status as one of America's most important revolutionaries. Long an iconic figure for radicals, Huey Newton is now being discovered by those interested in the history of America's social movements.
This composition was put together not to highlight or diminish Huey P. Newton, but to place emphasis on the power of the mind and spirit, and how narcotics, recreational or prescription, can alter the soul's destiny. The spirit of Huey was destined for greatness but was overcome by addictions to cocaine, heroin, and finally, crack. Arguably, the stress of constantly being hounded by police, false arrest and confinement, played a significant role in his demise and aided in beating down his spirit.
Michael Jackson's music and on-stage brilliance changed the world, it touched hearts across the globe, yet his earthly vehicle was contaminated by prescription drugs. His creative juices flowed like none other in the history of music, but he did not possess the power to overcome his demons.
Tupac Shakur, considered the greatest rapper of all time, could not tame his immaturity, alcohol consumption, and blunt smoking. When Shakur was interviewed from prison he appeared more lucid, logical, and without the violent chip that appeared to always be his constant companion. This was Tupac with a clear, rational mind.
Writers, poets, and entertainers have often stated that they do their best work when their minds are altered by drugs or "relaxed" by alcohol. Relaxing from a couple of glasses of wine is one thing, but when the substance becomes a crutch, that is always the beginning of the downfall. A self-induced, man-made, altered state of mind goes against the true self; it's counter-productive to the spirit. Nourishment and care of the soul does not include mind-altering substances.
The three aforementioned enigmatic figures in 20th century American History shared similar demons which they could not overcome.
Huey P. Newton's Academic Achievements:
Newton earned a bachelor's degree from UC Santa Cruz in 1974. He was enrolled as a graduate student in History of Consciousness at UC Santa Cruz in 1978, when he arranged to take a reading course from famed evolutionary biologist Robert Trivers, while in prison.
Trivers and Newton published an influential analysis of the role of flight crew self-deception in the crash of Air Florida Flight 90. Newton earned a Ph.D. in social philosophy at the University of California at Santa Cruz in 1980. His doctoral dissertation was entitled War Against the Panthers: A Study of Repression in America.
The Black Panther Party was active in the United States from 1966-1982. The organization achieved national and international notoriety through its involvement in the Black Power movement and in U.S. politics between the 1960s and 70s. The anti-racism of that time is today considered one of the most significant social, political and cultural currents in U.S. history. The group's "provocative rhetoric, militant posture, and cultural and political flourishes permanently altered the contours of American Identity." ~ Wikipedia
"Huey P. Newton's name, and more importantly, his history of resistance and struggle, is little more than a mystery for many younger people. The name of a third-rate rapper is more familiar to the average Black youth, and that's hardly surprising, for the public school system is invested in ignorance, and Huey P. Newton was a rebel .. and more, a Black Revolutionary .. who gave his best to the Black Freedom movement; who inspired millions of others to stand." .. Mumia Abu Jamal, political prisoner and author of Jailhouse Lawyers
Huey Percy Newton was born on February 17, 1942, in Monroe, Louisiana. In 1966, Newton, along with Bobby Seale, co-founded the Black Panthers in Oakland, California.
Whether Newton and the Panthers are remembered in a positive or a negative light, no one questions Newton's status as one of America's most important revolutionaries. Long an iconic figure for radicals, Huey Newton is now being discovered by those interested in the history of America's social movements.
This composition was put together not to highlight or diminish Huey P. Newton, but to place emphasis on the power of the mind and spirit, and how narcotics, recreational or prescription, can alter the soul's destiny. The spirit of Huey was destined for greatness but was overcome by addictions to cocaine, heroin, and finally, crack. Arguably, the stress of constantly being hounded by police, false arrest and confinement, played a significant role in his demise and aided in beating down his spirit.
Michael Jackson's music and on-stage brilliance changed the world, it touched hearts across the globe, yet his earthly vehicle was contaminated by prescription drugs. His creative juices flowed like none other in the history of music, but he did not possess the power to overcome his demons.
Tupac Shakur, considered the greatest rapper of all time, could not tame his immaturity, alcohol consumption, and blunt smoking. When Shakur was interviewed from prison he appeared more lucid, logical, and without the violent chip that appeared to always be his constant companion. This was Tupac with a clear, rational mind.
Writers, poets, and entertainers have often stated that they do their best work when their minds are altered by drugs or "relaxed" by alcohol. Relaxing from a couple of glasses of wine is one thing, but when the substance becomes a crutch, that is always the beginning of the downfall. A self-induced, man-made, altered state of mind goes against the true self; it's counter-productive to the spirit. Nourishment and care of the soul does not include mind-altering substances.
The three aforementioned enigmatic figures in 20th century American History shared similar demons which they could not overcome.
Huey P. Newton's Academic Achievements:
Newton earned a bachelor's degree from UC Santa Cruz in 1974. He was enrolled as a graduate student in History of Consciousness at UC Santa Cruz in 1978, when he arranged to take a reading course from famed evolutionary biologist Robert Trivers, while in prison.
Trivers and Newton published an influential analysis of the role of flight crew self-deception in the crash of Air Florida Flight 90. Newton earned a Ph.D. in social philosophy at the University of California at Santa Cruz in 1980. His doctoral dissertation was entitled War Against the Panthers: A Study of Repression in America.
The Black Panther Party was active in the United States from 1966-1982. The organization achieved national and international notoriety through its involvement in the Black Power movement and in U.S. politics between the 1960s and 70s. The anti-racism of that time is today considered one of the most significant social, political and cultural currents in U.S. history. The group's "provocative rhetoric, militant posture, and cultural and political flourishes permanently altered the contours of American Identity." ~ Wikipedia
"Huey P. Newton's name, and more importantly, his history of resistance and struggle, is little more than a mystery for many younger people. The name of a third-rate rapper is more familiar to the average Black youth, and that's hardly surprising, for the public school system is invested in ignorance, and Huey P. Newton was a rebel .. and more, a Black Revolutionary .. who gave his best to the Black Freedom movement; who inspired millions of others to stand." .. Mumia Abu Jamal, political prisoner and author of Jailhouse Lawyers
Contents at a Glance
Mind, Body, and Spirit
Skeptics will say that Newton's constant harassment and being falsely imprisoned contributed to his death at 47. Some believe that outside forces played a role in the death of Jackson at 50. There are dissenters who postulate that gang activity, or the police, had a hand in Tupac's termination at 25. It really doesn't matter who pulled the trigger, or who provided the last dose, the harsh reality is that all three men were perpetually dogged by inner demons and a cluttered mind exacerbated by drug use.
The lesson here is to learn how to have fun without alcohol or drugs. Learn how to be creative without the need for narcotics. Learn how to relax through meditation, prayer, and communing with nature. Do not allow anyone, any substance, or archaic beliefs to control your mind, because once the mind is sabotaged the spirit will certainly follow.
These three quotes pertaining to the mind have withstood the test of time for a reason:
- "Whatever the mind can conceive, it can achieve."
- "When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change."
- "As a man thinketh, so is he."
Huey P started out by taking marvelous care of his mind through reading, studying, and learning. Once the drugs infiltrated the mind, it was the beginning of his very untimely physical and mental destruction. Newton had the soul, spirit, and determination of a Nelson Mandela. Mandela was unjustly imprisoned for 27 years but he kept his mind sharp and free of anything that could overwhelm it.
The trials and tribulations that a person endures on this earth are generally karmic in nature. Those stumbling blocks appear in your life for a reason. They are introduced into your existence in order for you to learn and grow spiritually. Without a doubt, ingesting harmful substances will not allow you to complete your earthly mission.
Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Nelson Mandela, John and Robert Kennedy, all possessed intellectually sharp minds and superior oratory skills. That's why it took an assassins bullet and three decades of imprisonment to silence them. What's beautiful is we see that the soul of these men was not, could not, and will never be silenced. We ignore at our peril, the spirits of John and Robert Kennedy , but collectively, their souls dwell in the psyche of American politics, serving as a constant reminder of the long road ahead.
A Huey P. Newton Story
A Huey P. Newton Story is a documentary directed by Spike Lee. The movie was created, written and performed, as a solo performance, by Roger Guenveur Smith at The Joseph Papp Public Theatre. In this performance, Smith creates a representation of the activist Huey P. Newton's life and time as a person, a citizen and an activist. During the performance, the background images on the wall play clips from the movement showing activist movements form the era. The simple arrangement of the setting with Smith sitting in a chair in the middle of the stage, make the audience focus on what the performer has to say. Smith captures the attention of the audience throughout the documentary by putting into play his solo performance skills. The documentary was first brought as an idea in 1989 to become a stage play in the year 1996. Finally it was brought to the big screen in 2002 as "A Huey P. Newton Story". This documentary tries to show Huey P. Newton as the shy individual he was. He would not consider himself a charismatic person. Although he had many contributions to his community, the actor shows Newton as a conservative individual who was disgusted by having microphones and cameras close to him.
A Huey P. Newton Story
Amazon Price: $54.00 (as of 06/01/2012)
Quiet Meditation and Reflection
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AF-IL
Apr 11, 2012 @ 11:30 pm | delete
- Heuy Newton, Tupac Shakur and Michael Jackson where all victims of white supremacy. A system that was created throught the enslavment of African people which made the white world rich. This system is a devilish system that is bent on destroying people of colour in what ever else possible. What would Tupac, Michael and Huey do? They would inform the creator that the real problem on this earth is white people and those who support white supremacy. They all tried to do something about white supremacy in their own way when they were alive by fighting against it. MAY THEY REST IN PEACE.
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Goodhairsaloncards
Feb 27, 2012 @ 6:59 pm | delete
- I remember Huey Newton as a child. My brothers will heavily influenced by him as teenagers. I was saddened by his tragic end. The Black Partners started out as an advocacy group, but corruption from within and law enforcement soon over them. I remember Fred Hampton as well.
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susannaduffy
Jul 7, 2011 @ 1:46 am | delete
- He was certainly a key figure of his times
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