- IntroductionThe Black Panther Party developed over 60 Social Programs.These Social Programs were intended to help African Americans and poor people with their basic needs.The Black Panther Party was at the forefront of Sickle Cell Anemia testing.
- Free Health Clinics The Black Panther Party offered a variety of medical services provided by volunteer doctors at their Free Health Clinics. Sickle Cell Anemia testing was provided at no charge
- ConclusionsThe Black Panther Party’s Social/Survival Programs not only helped Black and poor people in impoverished communities but affected change at the Federal and State levels of Government.President Richard Nixon signed The National Sickle Cell Anemia Act in May 1972, providing funding for research and prevention of the disease.The Black Panther Party established Free Health Clinics in 13 Cities, Nationwide in the Late 1960’s early 1970’s.
- HistoryIn October of 1966 two young men from Oakland, California, Bobby Seale and Huey Newton, created the Black Panther Party for Self Defense. Oakland was in the middle of hard economic times and those who could, fled the city leaving behind the poor, and minorities. Those that were left behind faced scarce resources and job opportunities. The poorer Oakland became, the more the violence increased. Ambulances would no longer venture into the ghetto and with lack of medical facilities, getting treatment for any ailment was a luxury these people could not afford. The Black Panther Party, with Bobby Seale and Huey Newton at the helm developed the Black Panther Party Social Programs to aid African Americans and poor people alike. These social programs would impact both Oakland and the entire United States in a profound way, eventually cementing into Federal Legislation policies that would positively impact impoverished communities to this day.
November 29, 2021
