The Black Panther Party Ten-Point Program

The Black Panther Party Ten-Point Program

Learning Objectives

At the end of the lesson you will be able to identify the key demands and principles of the Black Panther Party as articulated in their Ten-Point Program. At the end of the lesson you will be able to explain the historical context and significance of the Ten-Point Program in the struggle for civil rights and social justice. At the end of the lesson you will be able to discuss the concepts of self-determination, economic justice, and community control as envisioned by the Black Panther Party.

What do you already know about the Black Panther Party's Ten-Point Program?

The demand for freedom and self-determination for the Black community

Demanding freedom and self-determination for the Black community was a key principle of the Black Panther Party's Ten-Point Program.

The call for full employment and economic justice

The Ten-Point Program called for full employment and economic justice for all members of society.

The fight against capitalist exploitation and the demand for reparations

The Black Panther Party advocated for the fight against capitalist exploitation and demanded reparations for historical injustices against Black people.

The need for decent housing and the critique of White landlords

The Ten-Point Program emphasized the need for decent housing and criticized the actions of White landlords.

The importance of education that teaches true history and self-awareness

The Black Panther Party stressed the importance of education that teaches true history and promotes self-awareness.

The exemption of Black men from military service

The Ten-Point Program demanded the exemption of Black men from military service.

The immediate end to police brutality and the establishment of self-defense measures

The Black Panther Party called for the immediate end to police brutality and advocated for the establishment of self-defense measures.

The release of all Black people from prisons and jails due to unfair trials

The Ten-Point Program demanded the release of all Black people from prisons and jails due to unfair trials.

The demand for trials by a jury of peers from the Black community

The Black Panther Party demanded trials by a jury of peers from the Black community.

The call for land, bread, housing, education, clothing, justice, and peace and the philosophical foundations of these demands

The Ten-Point Program called for fundamental necessities such as land, bread, housing, education, clothing, justice, and peace, and outlined the philosophical foundations of these demands.

Key Definitions

Self-determination: The right of a community or nation to determine its own destiny without external control. Economic justice: The pursuit of a fair and equitable distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society. Community control: The concept that a community should have the authority and power to manage its own affairs, especially in matters of economics and law enforcement. Reparations: Compensation demanded by the Black Panther Party for historical injustices against Black people, symbolized by the unfulfilled promise of 'forty acres and two mules'. Self-defense: The right to defend oneself against aggression or violence, as advocated by the Black Panther Party in response to police brutality.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.