1. What is the purpose of the New Black Panthers? What makes the New Black Panther Party relevant in 2011?
Ans: The Purpose of the New Black Panther Party is to be servants of the Black Community. The New Black Panther Party being here since 1989 takes a vanguard position in the liberation struggle of our people. Our job is to be at the forefront in producing the basic needs of our people. We stand on the shoulders of great men and women under the bloody stained banner of the Panther. We have a great task, also a rewarding one. We believe that the New Black Panther Party is more “relevant today than when the Panther first appeared on the scene in Lowndes County, Alabama then later appearing in Oakland, California in 1966. The Party takes this stance because the conditions of black people have gotten worse since the 50’s and 60’s. We have made great strides and advances as a people, under every Panther regimen, as good as they were and as much as we all have benefited from their sacrifice, the programs were most active in what we call the B.C. era (Before Crack). The New Black Panther Party faces completely different dynamics than most of the organizations of the Past. We have to also take into account that the Counter intelligence Program of the United States Government under J. Edgar Hoover, destroyed the Black Panther Party of the 1960’s and with that the 10- point Platform raised by Brother Bobby Seale and Comrade Huey P. Newton. The work of the Panther is an unfinished work and we believe we are picking up the labor and work of the Black Panther Party.
2. How does the New Black Panthers differ from the original Black Panthers for Self-Defense?
Ans: I would not say by much. The Black Panther Party of the 60’s first organized stood on a Black Nationalist Platform and program. Comrade Huey Newton believed that the B.P.P. were the ideological children of Minister Malcolm X. The B.P.P. also pulled heavily on Chairman Mao, Karl Marx, and Lenin as a revolutionary base. Ernesto “Che” Guevara, Fidel Castro and other political and Revolutionary sources also influenced the B.P.P. The Black Power General, Dr. Khallid Muhammad as a student of Marcus Garvey, Hon. Elijah Muhammad, B.P.P. of the 60’s, Dr. Ben, Dr. Clark and of course Min. Louis Farrakhan did not want the New Black Panther Party base to exist on what he called “branch knowledge”. He wanted our base to be a base of “root knowledge”. Dr. Khallid Muhammad instead of pulling so heavy on Mao pulled on Garvey [for example]. He taught us that we are the fathers and mothers of the arts and sciences. Marx and Lenin studied black generals like Hannibal the great. Hippocrates studied from the works of Imhotep. The New Black Panther Party is a completely a Black Nationalist movement. We today are building on the Black Nationalist base left by Marcus Garvey, Hon. Elijah Muhammad, Minister Malcolm X and the rest of our black greats. The B.P.P. in needing financial help and not wanting to be labeled separatist began to rely on what was called “ radical whites” and at the advice of some members of the National Central Committee of the B.P.P. the organization began to have joint rallies and fundraising events with white radical organizations. The New Black Panther Party for Self Defense does not have any cream in our coffee. We are strictly a Pro-Black organization.
3. What is your response to those who call the New Black Panther Party a racist and anti-Semitic organization?
Ans: My Response is that we are not and cannot ever be “anti-Semitic”. Black people in America are the descendants of Semitic people. We thorough our African bloodline and history cannot be what we are by nature. We are the original Hebrews. Genesis 15:13-14 from the King James Version of the Bible says “And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. There is not any documented history where Jews were enslaved for four centuries. Those who were enslaved for four hundred years are blacks who were taken from Africa. History teaches that the blacks who are now inhabitants of North America are actually the descendants of Abraham. According to the scripture, God will deliver the Blackman and woman in America as he promised Abraham. The State of Israel was set up by the US, Britain and the United Nations in 1948. This “newly formed” state cannot be what was being referenced in biblical times. The Honorable Dr. Khallid Muhammad taught us to call them “so-called Jews” because the European Jew is a late convert to the practice. We correctly call those who slander against us anti-Khemetic as they refuse to accept the facts of our divine destiny and history.
4. What is the most important lesson you learned under the leadership of Dr. Khallid Muhammad?
Ans: There are really too many lessons too pull from what I have learned from my mentor, Dr. Khallid Muhammad. He mentored me for over a decade, and there are lifelong jewels that he taught me that come up depending on the circumstances. Dr. Khallid Muhammad was a principled man. He showed me through his example how to get objectives accomplished thorough the severest of times. He taught me the importance of dedication to the liberation struggle of our people. He taught me the importance of having a no compromise attitude. I also learned that you pay a great price when you become successful. Great men and women have to deal with so much, and oft-times get in return so little. Brother there were too many lessons for me to raise only one as most important. If I had to sum it all up and pick just one, I would say it as he taught it “hold the line.” Don’t give the Devil any room to advance.
5. Who do you consider the most powerful Black leader in the world? Why?
Ans: I consider the Honorable Elijah Muhammad to be the most powerful leader in the world. I say this because I have not seen a leader command the respect and discipline that the Hon. Elijah Muhammad did and still does. He advanced to have an organization worth over 30 million dollars in the 1960’s. Black men and women cleaned up and changed into a decent way of living all over the world because of his teachings. His work has yet to be matched. My Mentor and teacher Dr. Khallid Muhammad is one of the strongest leaders God has ever given us.
6. What individuals or organizations do you want to work with that you haven’t worked with yet?
Ans: I have worked with so many. I think I want to work with more Black student unions and college students. I would like expand the base of Black Nationalism in America and across the globe; I look too work with more leaders in the motherland and enter into international trade.
7. What are the top issues that the New Black Panther Party is addressing in the 2011?
Ans: We are focused on addressing the basic needs of our people. We suffer from a lack of knowledge of self and kind. We are the victims of every injustice. Black people have inherited the poverty of slavery and suffer from lack of jobs, improper healthcare and indecent housing. Our 10-point program is a TOP focus for us. We are also developing a Black Power movement across the country. In doing this, we are developing local organizing committees designed to go across religious, political and social borders. We are intent on developing a movement that will exist long beyond us and our work today.
8. Why should people join the New Black Panther Party?
Ans: The issues of the Black community have risen to a state of emergency. The New Black Panther Party is one of the last pro Black organizations on the ground. We believe in grassroots organizing or working from the ground up. If you’re looking for action, we are the action-oriented organization. I would say we are the last completely black, pan-african, Black power advocates still standing. Many, who had such a strong pro-black line, have now softened up their stance. Others are becoming integrationist and all inclusive. We know that Black people from all occupations have a place under the banner of the 10-point program of the New Black Panther Party. The New Black Panther Party is the only organization that will still fight for what is ours. If you appreciate the works of Minister Huey Newton, Dr. Khallid Muhammad, Minister Farrakhan, Che Guevara, Elaine Brown, Angela Davis, Assata Shakur, Afeni Shakur, Erika Huggins or any other freedom fighter, this is the place for you.
9. What have been some of the challenges facing the New Black Panthers as it grows as an organization? How have those challenges been addressed?
Ans: As our organization grows, we face the normal rigors of expansion. Our national officials and membership is pressed to the max with responsibility. We have so many things to accomplish and so many organizational goals to fulfill. It’s stressful and rewarding at the same time. The demand for applications and membership has increased ten-fold and the accommodations of our chapters are ever changing as we are now in over 60 cities in America. We have a base in southern Africa, France and England. We are gaining more chapters by the day. It’s not an easy job managing it all, I am thankful to Almighty God for a wonderful National Central Committee and the many laborers and helpers that I have been blessed with. We are ever growing and learning how to be better servants of our people. We as a Party are blessed to have the lessons of history/herstory and the foundation laid by Dr. Khallid Abdul Muhammad. We were taught to meet and overcome all of our obstacles in our path. No matter what the challenge is, we face it head on and deal with in a scientific, mathematical, calculated way. This we have found makes us successful.
10. What has been the New Black Panther’s most successful campaign or project?
Ans: That is a great question to answer. We have had so many projects that were successful on different levels. I think the New Black Panther Party defense of Brother James Byrd was very successful. We stood up for the Black community at a time when white power advocates were making a mockery of the dragging death of our brother. We went in prepared to defend our community by any means necessary. Locked and loaded (with our God and our Gun) we would not allow the black community to be mocked by a planned march by the Klu Klux Klan. Another major event was the Black Power Convention. We brought together different religious leaders, political groups, actors, rappers and the average person together for Black empowerment. We convened in May 2010 and we look forward to having our next one in New York City in the near future.
11. How can someone find out more information about the New Black Panthers?
Ans: Go to our Website www.newblackpanther.com. That is the best and official way to get in contact with us. You can also e-mail us directly at nbpphq@yahoo.com. Those two ways are the best and easiest ways to find out all about us.
12. The mission of the Black History 101 Mobile Museum is to preserve material artifacts that tell the story of the Black experience. What material artifact(s) in your possession do you think is most valuable and will help tell the story of the New Black Panthers?
Ans: I believe that our history/herstory is written everyday in the hearts and minds of our people. I think the lives of those whom we have both helped and touched will be the best reminder and preserver of who we are and what we stand for. I think our newspaper the New Black Panther will also be a bearer of witness to our contribution in the liberation struggle of Black people in the hells of North America and all over the world. Outside of those two things, I can only see our works as being the greatest example of our mission and message. I thank you for these questions and look forward to our divine destiny as a free and independent people. Remember this: A Panther is born every 5 seconds in the ghetto. I got nothing but love and respect for you and the Black History 101 Mobile Museum.
Black Power and All Power to the People!
Dr. Malik Zulu Shabazz, esq.
National Representative of the Hon. Dr Khallid Abdul Muhammad
National Chairman, New Black Panther Party
New Black Panther Party Offical News Source 