The white photographer who documented the rise and fall of the Black Panthers
- Text by Alex King
- Photography by Stephen Shames, Courtesy of Steven Kasher Gallery
When Martin Luther King delivered his era-defining ‘I Have A Dream’ speech at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. in 1963, he declared: “In a sense we’ve come to our nation’s capital to cash a check… a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the “unalienable Rights” of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
When King was assassinated in Memphis in 1968, America had yet to honour this check – but a powerful new force had emerged to call on the US to settle its enormous debts to African-Americans.
Founded by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale in October 1966, the Black Panther Party was the most radical challenge to the deeply-entrenched racism of the American system and the loudest call for black political self-determination and respect.
A boy salutes the Panthers, New Haven County Courthouse, May 1, 1970
With their black berets and armed self-defence units, the Panthers struck fear into the hearts of white America, but there was much more to the party than guns and swagger: they organised voter registration drives, fielded political candidates, organised boycotts of racist businesses, ran free food programmes and much more besides.
The defining visual record of the Black Panthers was produced by an unlikely figure, Stephen Shames, who was a white student at University of California Berkeley when he shot his first picture of Bobby and Huey selling Mao’s Little Red Book in San Francisco in 1967. Captivated by their charisma and confidence, Stephen went on to document the Panthers over the next seven years.
Kathleen Cleaver at a Free Huey rally in DeFremery Park, Oakland, 1968
Panthers stand just offstage at a Free Huey rally in DeFremery Park, Oakland, 1968. Che Brooks (arms folded) was a San Francisco Panther who went to San Quentin State Prison and started the prison chapter.
He documented their rise and effective collapse, brought on by a combination of political in-fighting and immense outward pressure from the authorities in the mid-‘70s. Published on the 50th anniversary of the party’s founding, Stephen co-authored Power to the People: The World of the Black Panthers with Bobby Seale, to reveal the breadth of his archive and provoke a reassessment of the Panthers and their legacy.
People’s Free Food Program, Palo Alto, 1972
Panther Jerry “Odinka” Dunigan talks to kids while they eat breakfast on Chicago’s South Side, November 1970
George Jackson’s coffin carried into St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Oakland, August 28, 1971
The Lumpen, the Panthers’ singing group, performs at the boycott of Bill’s Liquors, Oakland, 1971. Clark Bailey, known as Santa Rita, is dancing. Michael Torrence (front) and James Mott (back) are drumming.
Power to the People: The World of the Black Panthers by Bobby Seale and photographer Stephen Shames is published by Abrams.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
You might like
In photos: Black Texas life since emancipation
Kinship & Community — A new photobook and exhibition showcases the rich culture, history and community of African American folks in the Lone Star State, whose existence in the region predates colonial Britain.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Youthful joy & end-of-era poignancy at a London school prom
Leavers — For several years, Lewis Khan documented young people as they celebrated the last of their school days and the completion of their exams. The series is now collated in a new self-published photobook and short film.
Written by: Zoe Whitfield
Harry Gruyaert’s vintage, kaleidoscopic scenes of New York
A Sense of Place — For 50 years, the Belgian photographer and Magnum Photos member has been capturing NYC’s colourful chaos. A new photobook and exhibition showcase his unique, technicolour view of the city.
Written by: Miss Rosen
In the pit at one of the UK’s last stock car & banger speedways
Stock Car Racing Isn’t Dead — Photographer Liam McCarthy spent time in and around the Arlington Raceway’s circuit, capturing the diehard community that keeps the sport alive.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Inside Lower Duck Pond, the nicest town on the internet
/r/HaveWeMet — With a population of 2,500 and no fixed location, the subreddit is a space for roleplaying citizens to solve mysteries, host fictional events and ultimately connect. In an internet that’s often divided and toxic, Vicky Jessop hangs out in one of its most wholesome corners.
Written by: Vicky Jessop
A major Nan Goldin exhibition is coming to London
You Never Did Anything Wrong — Opening at the Hayward Gallery in November, the show will debut a new film from the artist and activist, alongside a slate of recent work.
Written by: Jack Dennison-Thompson
