Black Panthers (1968)

Kathleen Cleaver: Self

Quotes 

• Kathleen Cleaver : Black people, in general, are responsive to what we say - especially young black people. And the white people that invite us, they're curious or they want information in the Peace and Freedom Party and they're usually very grateful because the Black Panther Party has a rational program and a rational explanation for the many confusing things that are happening around this country. Whereas, they might invite some speakers who rant and rave and talk about "Hate White People" "Burn" "Kill" etc. And they can't really understand it - they can't isolate it. The Black Panther Party will give them an ideological perspective and separate the institutions from the citizens. The government from the people. And point out the institutions, in particular, the pigs, the police department, the educational system, the economic system, to be attacked. And do not attack the individuals because of the color of their skin.

• Kathleen Cleaver : This brother here, myself, all of us, where born with our hair like this and we just wear it like this. Because, it's natural. Because, the reason for it, you might say, is like a new awareness among black people that their own natural appearance, physical appearance, is beautiful. It's pleasing to them. The women want to please men and if men accept it as beautiful, then women will do it.

• Kathleen Cleaver : For so many, many years, we were told that only white people were beautiful. Only straight hair, light eyes, light skin, was beautiful. And so, black women would try everything they could to straighten their hair, lighten their skin, to look as much like white women. And the black men would let it be known that thought white women were beautiful. And they'd say they didn't want any ugly black woman with short hair. This whole thing. But, this has changed; because, black people are aware, now, that their own appearance is beautiful. They're proud of it. And white people are aware of it too; because, white people now want a natural wig. They want wigs like this. Dig it. Isn't it beautiful? Alright!