National History Day
When beginning this project I struggled with finding the right candidate. I looked into historical figures from BCE to the late 19th century hoping to find one that thoroughly interested me. Though I came across many interesting figures I could not find one that greatly sparked my interest. I have always found the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD) intriguing given their willingness and need to create a change and improve circumstances for people of color. I felt that the Civil Rights Movement was far too recent to qualify for the fifty year time difference we needed. The movement turned out just to meet the mark and realizing this fueled my interest to begin my research. I selected my specific candidate for research based solely upon personal interest and past research, readings, and projects. In my previous research I focused on the Black Panther Party leaders and rising politicians, such as: Angela Davis, Huey Newton, and Eldridge Cleaver. During my time as an intern at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History I further got to know who Eldridge Cleaver was and the things that he stood for, thinking that he was my candidate. This time however I felt some obligation to get to further know the “woman behind the man/struggle”.
I attempted to utilize all of my research materials, yet I was limited to only using one given that my AP Stearns textbook neglected to mention revolutionaries such as these. Hitting this brick wall, I turned to my internet browser using video interviews, internet encyclopedias, and social media platforms dedicated to providing artifacts from historical events. With the excitement of completing our last class project I decided that I would choose the website option. I found this fairly easy to navigate given that I used it in the past to complete a Spanish II project.
I believe that Kathleen Neal Cleaver perfectly exhibits what National History Day is about given her actions and beliefs. Cleaver went through extreme measures, such as being a United States fugitive, for social justice realizing that she might not have be recognized for her actions. Cleaver was apart of something bigger than herself, participating for the greater good such as peace and equality. The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense has left a legacy and made strides for people of color in America while exposing the heinous measures law enforcement will go through to oppress a movements to advance people of color. Though their reputation has been long tarnished the BPPSD create a media platform, food/education program, and social standing that has influenced many today.