Dec 30, 2025
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Panther Sightings in West Oakland
by Doniphan Blair
New West Oakland mural features Black Panther founder and leader Huey P. Newton, his first local appearance in 28 years. photo: D. BlairWEST OAKLAND HAS FINALLY PUT UP
a mural featuring Huey P. Newton, the founder and head of the Black Panthers, who was gunned down on August 22, 1989, a few blocks from Peralta and 14th Street, the mural’s location, in a cocaine deal gone bad.
Evidently 28 years is long enough to process the complicated issues surrounding the Black Panthers, and more freedom of expression should inspire more art. Some say it was the long arm of the ever-repressive Oakland government, which kept Newton from visual commemoration on his home turf; others say it was local fears of showing support for Newton’s gangsterism, which killed quite a few Oaklanders, including Newton (see cineSOURCE article).
The mural's unveiling was a pleasant, block party-like affair with speeches, including by renown activist and former-Panther Elaine Brown, and a bunch of local artists, including some who painted the piece. Also in attendance was graphic designer/photographer Joonbug, who shoots actual acetate film on a 75-year-old Rollieflex camera.
A lovely meal was served to all attendees by the ever-dedicated women volunteers.
Joonbug, a Texan/Oakland graphic designer/photographer, who specializes in shooting actual acetate film. photo: D. BlairObviously, the time has come for full accounting and truth telling in order for West Oakland to restart the cultural revolution which began fifty years ago with the Panthers' newspaper, school lunches and clinics and must now move to a next level.
A more rank-and-file ex-Panther, Frances Moore, who is currently struggling with Silicon Valley gentrification, is profiled in an excellent piece by the San Francisco correspondent of England's The Guardian.
Sitting almost exactly midway in the Bay Area’s geography between the millionaires of the Oakland hills and the billionaires of Silicon Valley, West Oakland is well positioned to tell a fresh story from a unique perspective about social justice, culture and integrating the different needs of a diverse city.
Posted on Dec 10, 2017 - 10:01 PM
by Doniphan Blair
New West Oakland mural features Black Panther founder and leader Huey P. Newton, his first local appearance in 28 years. photo: D. Blaira mural featuring Huey P. Newton, the founder and head of the Black Panthers, who was gunned down on August 22, 1989, a few blocks from Peralta and 14th Street, the mural’s location, in a cocaine deal gone bad.
Evidently 28 years is long enough to process the complicated issues surrounding the Black Panthers, and more freedom of expression should inspire more art. Some say it was the long arm of the ever-repressive Oakland government, which kept Newton from visual commemoration on his home turf; others say it was local fears of showing support for Newton’s gangsterism, which killed quite a few Oaklanders, including Newton (see cineSOURCE article).
The mural's unveiling was a pleasant, block party-like affair with speeches, including by renown activist and former-Panther Elaine Brown, and a bunch of local artists, including some who painted the piece. Also in attendance was graphic designer/photographer Joonbug, who shoots actual acetate film on a 75-year-old Rollieflex camera.
A lovely meal was served to all attendees by the ever-dedicated women volunteers.
Joonbug, a Texan/Oakland graphic designer/photographer, who specializes in shooting actual acetate film. photo: D. BlairA more rank-and-file ex-Panther, Frances Moore, who is currently struggling with Silicon Valley gentrification, is profiled in an excellent piece by the San Francisco correspondent of England's The Guardian.
Sitting almost exactly midway in the Bay Area’s geography between the millionaires of the Oakland hills and the billionaires of Silicon Valley, West Oakland is well positioned to tell a fresh story from a unique perspective about social justice, culture and integrating the different needs of a diverse city.
Posted on Dec 10, 2017 - 10:01 PM
