Bobby Seale

Bobby Seale
Born	Robert George Seale (1936-10-22)October 22, 1936 Dallas, Texas, United States
Nationality	American
Occupation	Political activist
Known for	Co-founder of the Black Panther Party

Bobby Seale (born October 22, 1936) is an American political activist who co-founded the Black Panther Party in 1966 with Huey P. Newton. Born in Dallas, Texas, Seale is a prominent figure in the history of African-American civil rights movements, advocating for social justice and equality through radical means, including the open carry of firearms for self-defense and the establishment of community social programs.

Early Life

Bobby Seale was born in Dallas, Texas, and moved with his family to Oakland, California, during the great migration of African Americans seeking to escape the segregated South. His experience of racial inequality in the United States deeply influenced his future activism.

Formation of the Black Panther Party

In 1966, while attending Merritt College in Oakland, California, Seale met Huey P. Newton. Together, they founded the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense, which initially aimed to arm African Americans for self-defense and to monitor the behavior of officers in the Oakland Police Department. The organization later evolved into a Marxist revolutionary group that sought to establish revolutionary socialism through mass organizing and community-based programs.

Activism and Legacy

Under Seale's leadership, the Black Panther Party launched the Free Breakfast for Children Programs and community health clinics for the underprivileged. Seale was also involved in the infamous Chicago Eight trial, where he was bound and gagged by the judge after vociferously asserting his constitutional rights.

After the decline of the Black Panther Party, Seale continued his activism, focusing on education and electoral politics. He authored several books, including "Seize the Time: The Story of the Black Panther Party and Huey P. Newton" and "A Lonely Rage: The Autobiography of Bobby Seale."

Later Life

In later years, Seale took on a quieter role in political activism, focusing on youth education regarding civil rights and social justice issues. He has been a vocal advocate for the re-examination of the history and impact of the Black Panther Party.

See Also

• Civil Rights Movement
• African-American history
• Social movements in the United States

External Links

Note: External links are not included as per the constraints of this task.