Bobby Seale, born on October 22, 1936, in Dallas, Texas, was a co-founder of the Black Panther Party, alongside Huey P. Newton, in 1966. Seale was motivated by the need to address the systemic oppression, racial injustice, and police brutality faced by African Americans in the United States. He, along with Newton, created the Black Panther Party as a revolutionary organization that sought to empower Black communities through self-defense, social programs, and political action. The party’s 10-Point Program called for justice, equality, and an end to police violence against Black people, and it included initiatives such as free breakfast programs, health clinics, and education. Seale’s leadership in organizing demonstrations and his passionate advocacy for Black empowerment made him a prominent figure in the Black Power movement.
In 1969, Seale’s role in the national spotlight increased when he was charged with contempt of court during the infamous trial of the Chicago Eight, a group of anti-Vietnam War activists accused of inciting riots during the 1968 Democratic National Convention. The trial, which Seale was subjected to separately, was marked by political tension, and Seale was eventually bound and gagged in the courtroom. Over time, the Black Panther Party faced growing pressure from the government, internal conflicts, and violent confrontations with law enforcement, leading to its decline. Seale eventually distanced himself from the Black Panther Party and turned to other forms of activism. Despite the controversies and challenges, Bobby Seale remains a key figure in the struggle for racial justice and equality, and his work with the Black Panther Party continues to inspire movements advocating for social change.
