Power to the People: The World of the Black Panthers

This pictorial history tells the story of the revolutionary Black Panther Party in the words of its co-founder, Bobby Seale.

Coming toward the end of America’s epic Civil Rights Movement, the Black Panther Party was one of the most creative and influential responses to racism and inequality in American history. They advocated armed self-defense to counter police brutality, and initiated a program of patrolling the police with shotguns—and law books.

In words and photographs, Power to the People explores the impact and achievements of this revolutionary organization. The words are Bobby Seale’s, with contributions by other former party members. The photographs are by Stephen Shames, the Panther’s most trusted documentarian. Power to the People is a testament to their warm association, combining Shames’s memorable images with Seale’s colorful in-depth commentary culled from many hours of conversation.

Shames also interviewed major party figures for this volume, including Kathleen Cleaver, Elbert “Big Man” Howard, Ericka Huggins, Emory Douglas, and William “Billy X” Jennings. His photography is supplemented with Panther ephemera and graphic art.