Misogynoir and Angela Davis' Impact on Misogyny Within the Black Panther Party

Misogynoir refers to a specific type of misogyny experienced by black women that is often overlooked in the fight for gender equality. The term was coined by queer black feminist Moya Bailey, and it combines racism and sexism. Angela Davis, a prominent black feminist philosopher, has been instrumental in bringing attention to the issue of misogynoir and addressing the underlying misogyny within the Black Panther Party. Through her activism and writings, she has helped to create a more inclusive and equitable movement for black liberation.

The United States of America fought for its independence from British rule, striving for freedom and liberty for its people. However, the country's desire for economic growth and expansion led to the extermination of Indigenous populations and the use of African slaves. Black women were used on plantations, and the propaganda that perpetuated harmful social narratives about black people created the historical creation of misogyny.

This idea of misogynoir has continued to prevail, with its effects seen in colorism and gender role expectations placed on black women. Even within the black community, the propaganda of misogynoir has caused some black men to believe that marrying white women is the only way to rise socially.

In 1954, the civil rights movement began, leading to the creation of various organizations, including the Black Panther Party. The party was founded in response to police brutality against African Americans in Oakland, California. Their ideology was based on a mixture of Marxist and black nationalist principles, with a goal of overthrowing the capitalist system and fostering a sense of class consciousness among the most vulnerable.

The party also promoted community empowerment through education and social programs, as outlined in their Ten-Point Program. They believed in the right of African Americans to defend themselves against police brutality and famously carried guns in public to assert their right to self-defense. Black nationalism was also heavily incorporated into their ideology, as they believed in the unity of black Americans who had lost their language, culture, and history due to the Atlantic Slave Trade.

The party's Ten-Point Program outlined its goals, but there were some issues with each of their goals:

I. The first point of the Black Panther Party's 10-Point Plan was to end police brutality and the murder of African Americans. The Party aimed to ensure that law enforcement treated African Americans with respect and dignity, and that they were not subjected to excessive force or violence.

A. Although black men were legally granted the right to vote, the state and law enforcement did not view this right as equal to their humanity or personhood.

B. Law enforcement deliberately patrolled low-income and black areas to maintain the class and race divide perpetuated by systemic racism, preventing black people from achieving full economic freedom. Despite being able to work and earn their own money, black men were disproportionately incarcerated and fined, hindering their economic mobility.

C. While this point of the BPP's plan would have greatly benefited black men and the community as a whole, it failed to consider the ways in which women were affected by law enforcement.

II. The second point called for full employment for African Americans. The Black Panther Party wanted to ensure that African Americans had access to jobs and that they were not discriminated against in the workplace.

A. During that time, black men were largely excluded from high-paying jobs, and were limited to lower-paying jobs in service or trades. This perpetuated systemic racism and reinforced the notion that black people were only fit for menial labor. Black men were often forced to work in these low-paying jobs, further deepening the economic inequality between black and white communities.

B. Meanwhile, black women faced even greater challenges in finding employment due to the intersectionality of their oppression as both women and black people. They were largely excluded from both high-paying and low-paying jobs, and often had to resort to informal labor, such as domestic work or childcare, which was undervalued and underpaid. The BPP overlooked the unique challenges faced by black women in their call for full employment, failing to consider their perspective and experiences.

III. The third point called for an end to housing discrimination. The Black Panther Party aimed to ensure that African Americans had access to safe and affordable housing and were not discriminated against when trying to rent or purchase a home.

A. Redlining, a discriminatory practice by which banks refused to approve loans for housing or mortgages to people in certain areas that were deemed high risk, prevented black people from moving out of the ghettos they were forced to live in. These areas were often specifically targeted towards black communities, perpetuating segregation and inequality.

IV. The fourth point called for an end to the draft and the war in Vietnam. The Black Panther Party aimed to ensure that African Americans were not unfairly conscripted into the military and sent to fight in a war they opposed.

A. The Vietnam War was a pursuit for the US to gain more capital through war and colonialism, which contradicted the Marxist principles of the Black Panther Party. Moreover, the draft disproportionately targeted black men, who faced high mortality rates due to the losing nature of the war. As a result, black women often found themselves without husbands or breadwinners, unable to secure employment, and plunged into poverty. Regrettably, this point of the 10-Point Plan failed to consider the consequences for black women.

V. The fifth point called for an end to the criminalization of African Americans. The Black Panther Party wanted to ensure that African Americans were not unfairly targeted by law enforcement and that they were not subjected to unjust laws or sentences.

A. Redlined and black areas were often over-policed, and black men and women were charged with extremely minor crimes or something that wasn't a crime at all.

VI. The sixth point demanded an end to the exploitation of African Americans. The Black Panther Party wanted to guarantee that employers and landlords did not take advantage of African Americans by subjecting them to unfair wages or working conditions.

VII. The seventh point called for an end to the oppression of African Americans. The Black Panther Party was committed to ensuring that African Americans were treated with respect and dignity and were not subjected to racism or prejudice.

VIII. The eighth point called for an end to the denial of basic human rights to African Americans. The Black Panther Party aimed to provide African Americans with the same rights and privileges as other citizens, ensuring that their basic human rights were not denied.

IX. The ninth point called for an end to the denial of education to African Americans. The Black Panther Party wanted to ensure that African Americans had access to quality education and were not deprived of opportunities to pursue higher education.

X. The final point of the 10-Point Plan called for an end to the denial of self-determination to African Americans. The Black Panther Party demanded that African Americans have the right to determine their destiny and pursue their own goals and aspirations.

Although all ten points of the BPP's platform were beneficial to black Americans, some points did not consider the impact on black women and the unique issues they faced. The Black Panther Party gained national attention and saw a rapid increase in membership. With a focus on self-militarization, many young black men joined the party to protect their neighborhoods and aid the revolutionaries. However, the party became overrun with black men, leading to a lack of representation for black women. Despite their progressive views on civil and labor rights, many male members held conservative views on gender roles. They believed that the only purpose and contribution of black women to the party was to stay home, support the men, and raise children. Black women had no place in self-defense or in the philosophical sphere of the party. Fortunately, this began to change.

Towards the end of the 1960s, Angela Davis joined the Black Panther Party and quickly noticed the party's misogynistic attitudes. She was disappointed by the cognitive dissonance of the men within the party who were striving to liberate black people as a whole while disregarding the struggles of black women. Davis began educating the party's founders and leaders on radical feminism and the intersectionality of Marxism and feminism. Radical feminist ideology suggests that women must not only be granted equal rights and representation as men in a capitalist society, but they must also liberate themselves and men by overthrowing the capitalist and patriarchal systems altogether.

The Black Panther Party was known for its militant tactics and confrontations with law enforcement, which often led to violent clashes. Consequently, it was heavily targeted by the FBI's COINTELPRO program. Nevertheless, the party continued to advocate for the rights of African Americans until it disbanded in the early 1980s. The legacy of the Black Panther Party endures today as a significant force in the Black Power movement and a symbol of African American resistance against systemic oppression. Through Angela Davis's reform efforts within the party, she was able to raise awareness about both black and women's issues. This transformation propelled the Black Panther Party to the forefront of the civil rights movement and played a vital role in pushing the US government and state senators to legally desegregate America and provide justice to the black community.