Huey: Spirit of the Panther By David Hilliard

Huey P. Newton remains one of the most misunderstood political figures of the twentieth century. As cofounder and leader of the Black Panther Party for more than twenty years, Newton (1942-1989) was at the forefront of the radical political activism of the 1960s and '70s. Raised in poverty in Oakland, California, and named for corrupt Louisiana governor Huey P. Long, Newton embodied both the passions and the contradictions of the civil rights movement he sought to advance. In this first authorized biography, Newton's former chief of staff David Hilliard teams up with best-selling authors Keith and Kent Zimmerman to tell the whole story of the man behind the organization that FBI director J. Edgar Hoover infamously dubbed the greatest threat to the internal security of the country. Huey: Spirit of the Panther

David Hilliard ↠ 3 summary

I couldn't imagine living under the pressure he undertook attempting to change society. Some people may look down on him for some of his actions, especially the drug addiction, but I think I can understand why someone would need supplements to go through what Huey Newton did. Like him or not, he lived a whole lot more than most people. David Hilliard The book really gave me an insight on what the purpose of the Black Panther Party was, and the motive behind some of their more radical choices. I learned more about Huey, eccentric as he seemed you can't help but be astonished by what he accomplished, and sympathize with his motives. the internal strife within the party was interesting to read about, as well as the shooting that put Huey in jail. While Hilliard didn't hide his biases at all I think the passion he puts into it adds a bit to the kinda-sorta biography. David Hilliard The more I learn about Huey the more fascinated I become. We grow up hearing about Martin, Rosa Parks and if you're lucky Malcolm X, meanwhile glossing over such revolutionaries as Marcus, Stokley, and, of course, Huey--whose contributions are just as important to the fabric of society as any others. I loved hearing first person accounts of personal interactions with him, and although you can never get a true picture of who Huey really was, I feel like this was a good place to start. Huey was complex, conflicted, and at times a contradiction even to himself; but that is what it means to be human--to error. I disagree with the ending of diagnosing him as bi-polar and manic-depressive. I'm not saying it wasn't possible, but I don't agree with diagnosing someone based on second-hand information. Especially when it is just as plausible that he could have been suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, which, considering such things as living in constant fear for his life, constant surveillance, and his years in solitary confinement, is probably the more likely culprit. The book itself wasn't the most elegant piece of writing; however, I was reading more for the story/information than the stylistic estetics. I look forward to starting Revolutionary Suicide. David Hilliard This was a wonderfully written, inspiring look at who Huey P. Newton really was. It also gave excellent insight into the Black Panther Party and their inspiring history. David Hilliard Amazing autobiography regarding Dr. Newton and the Black Panther Party. People tend to mistake the Black Panther Party as the black version of the KKK. This however is untrue. This book will definitely shed light on what this group was about. David Hilliard

From this moment on, if I ever have a son, his name will be Huey Newton! Seriously!

This is a man that is a TRUE definition of what a Black Revolutionary is supposed to be! Huey tackled the streets and reached out to The People. He was highly aware that we hold the power to true change. We could change the damn world if we wanted to. We could spark a revolution, demanding that the oppressors see what we’re made of. Huey was fearless, unstoppable, courageous, free-spirited, kind, gentle, and just an overall stand up guy that I’ve easily fallen in love with.

While reading this book, I walked by his side through everything. I encountered the rallies, the unbearable penal sentences and government raids, the lonely moments as well as the happy ones. Mr. Hilliard basically took me back in time. Everything was well documented and vivid! He introduced me to members of the BPP and provided a deeper understanding for what they fought for.

What I love MOST about the BPP, was the community services. They had Breakfast programs, schools, and clinics. Hilliard made it clear that the Party was NOT created as a violent retaliation towards police brutality and racism. It was created to PROTECT, SERVE, and make positive changes to the Black community.

The constant police harassment and FBI’s tactics to break down the BPP were some of the most terrible things I’ve ever read about in history! Here is a group of well educated, young Black people that only wanted to create a better life for the oppressed. However, they were treated as an extremist group that was out to destroy. Can we say the intimidation was so REAL?! Huey encountered so much stress and pain from them that I’m sure that’s what pushed his alcohol consumption into an addiction. I bet it pushed him to start using hard drugs. Hell, if my life was constantly being intruded on, I might’ve picked up a dangerous addiction as well. Huey had a reason for going crazy as often as he’d done, trust me! I just wish he could’ve stayed in Cuba and enjoyed that freedom because the moment I read that he returned, I knew it wasn’t going to end well.

I would highly suggest anyone that interested in the Revolutionary icon that is Huey P. Newton, to read this book! You get stories and detailed flashbacks, from not only Hilliard, but family members and other BPP members. You get a real description and feel for who Huey truly was and why his legacy will forever be everlasting and untouchable in Black History! David Hilliard I have always been interested in Huey. I am glad I got to read this book. I Have so many emotions with this red, and yet I am proud of what my ancestors have done for us. The most honorable way I can do to respect them is to continue moving forward.

Our country has a very disgusting and still ignorant look towards us in the Black community. It has never changed only gotten worse. The more we fight to equal rights an human decency the more they fight to gun us down and wipe us off this planet.

Our leaders are a disgrace, and we will have equality, whether they like it or not. David Hilliard Great book with first-hand credibility from Hilliard. Very well written, informative and a page turner! Definitely made me respect and understand Huey Newton more! David Hilliard I read Revolutionary Suicide prior to reading this and to put it bluntly, David Hilliard's writing (especially in relation to Huey's) is not very good. However I didn't really find it to impede the read, and this one was very insightful - and refreshingly honest. The book's most redeeming quality is all the first hand recollections from various acquaintances in his life. Well worth the read. David Hilliard i have for some time now, had an interest in Huey P Newton. Like most people i saw him as that guy in that picture with the spear and the gun. I thought that was what he was a chief for black America. Truth is he was but he was also human. The more i read this i found some things i disagreed with and some that just blew me away about this scholarly thug. How he lived in both worlds and he own self destruction that lead him to his death. While at the same time his love of his people and knowledge. that still hold him as one of my heroes. He wasn't perfect but he wasn't bad either. this book opened my eyes to the true Huey P Newton and it only made me look up to him more i loved it. it was more of an experience than a read. David Hilliard