Huey Percy Newton, a revolutionary political activist, co-founded the Black Panther Party alongside Bobby Seale. Growing up in poverty and experiencing racial discrimination, Newton was driven to self-educate himself after receiving little value from public schools. His involvement in politics began during college, where he met Seale and together they formed the Black Panther party. With a mission to protect the black community from racial attacks and police brutality, the party gained popularity and had members across the United States. Newton’s belief in the use of violence to achieve his goals led the FBI to label the party as a threat to national security. Unfortunately, Newton’s life became entangled in a cycle of drugs and violence, leading to his tragic murder by a member of the Black Guerilla Family.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Huey Percy Newton
- Died At Age: 47
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Fredrika Newton (1984–1989), Gwen Fontaine (1974–1983)
- Father: Walter Newton
- Mother: Armelia Johnson
- Quotes By Huey P. Newton
- Activists
- Political ideology: Black Panther Party
- Died on: August 22, 1989
- Place of death: Oakland, California, United States
- Notable Alumni: San Francisco Law School, Merritt College
- Cause of Death: Murdered
- U.S. State: Louisiana
- Founder/Co-Founder: Oakland Community School, Black Panther Party
- More Facts
- Education: University Of California, Santa Cruz, Merritt College, San Francisco Law School
Childhood & Early Life
Huey Newton was born to Walter Newton and Armelia Johnson and was the youngest among seven siblings. Despite being poor, his family was close-knit. He grew up in Oakland, where he experienced rampant racial discrimination. He attended Oakland Technical High School, but none of his teachers instilled in him a thirst for knowledge. He graduated in 1959 without possessing any real education. Undaunted, he embarked on a path of self-education by teaching himself to read. As a teenager, he began committing petty crimes and was arrested many times. He later enrolled at Merritt College, where he joined the Afro-American Association and became involved in politics. He was a voracious reader and was influenced by the works of Karl Marx, Malcolm X, Vladimir Lenin, and others.
Formation of the Black Panther Party
In October 1966, Newton, along with fellow Merritt College student Bobby Seale, formed the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense. Seale became the Chairman, while Newton became the Minister of Defense. The party aimed to protect the black community from racial discrimination and police brutality and quickly gained a nationwide following. The Black Panthers were closely involved with the Black Power movement, which focused on promoting the political and cultural interests of black people. In 1967, the party began circulating its official newspaper, “The Black Panther.” By 1968, the party had expanded to several cities in the U.S. and had more than 10,000 members by 1969. The organization developed a Ten-Point Program outlining their demands for freedom from brutality, education, housing, food security, and peace. Under Newton’s leadership, the Black Panthers initiated various social programs for the betterment of the black community, including educational facilities, food security programs, and martial arts training for teenagers.
Decline and Controversies
Newton published his autobiography, “Revolutionary Suicide,” in 1973. However, the party’s popularity began to decline in the late 1970s due to their violent and militant activities, which overshadowed their social and political goals. Many disillusioned members left the party, and by 1980, the membership had dwindled to just 27. Newton developed a drug problem and used state funds meant for the Panther-sponsored school to pay for his drugs. In 1982, he was charged with embezzlement, and the party broke up. Newton had also been involved in several illegal and criminal offenses, including the murder of police officer John Frey. He had been convicted of illegal firearms possession and had been imprisoned.
Personal Life & Legacy
Newton’s first marriage was to Gwen Fontaine in 1974, which ended in divorce in 1983. He later married Frederika in 1984, with whom he lived until his death. He had strained relations with the Black Guerilla Family (BGF) and was shot to death by a BGF member in 1989. Huey Newton was a well-educated man who had earned his Ph.D. in the history of consciousness from the University of California in 1980. He is remembered as the co-founder of the Black Panther Party, one of the most powerful and influential groups deeply involved in the Black Power movement. Although their social work was overshadowed by their militant activities, the party worked for the betterment of the black community. Huey Newton’s legacy lives on, and he is referenced in popular culture, such as Tupac Shakur’s song “Changes” and the cartoon show “The Boondocks.”