Thread by @BlackPowerBA

The global adoption of Black American “Black Power” has a fascinating history. US civil rights/Black Pride movements of the 50s and 60s inspired many people to adopt the Black American self identification of “Black” and apply our philosophies to their struggles. A few examples.

West Indians in London adopted “being black” and philosophies of Blackness in the early 70s due to US Black Pride movements. They started screaming “Black Power.” And gained a new sense of Black Pride that they didn’t have in the West Indies

Also the stylized Afro (BA hair style) was embraced by Black youth. Many white people in London were also inspired to join in the fight. Some white people in The UK adopted the term “Black.”

In Ireland around the same time “Black Power” ideologies were being adopted by Black Irish people, but also it heavily impacted White Irish justice fights. The used “Black Power” as a base for activism. Some even called themselves the “white negroes of Derry.”

In Trinidad

Trinidad pt2

Early 70s in India a group of young writers created the “Dalit Panthers.” Inspired by the Black Panther party, they used Black Power philosophies to fight against governmental injustices and atrocities done to “untouchable” communities.

In New Zealand, during the same time, the Polynesian community was inspired by the Black Panther Party, and it’s philosophies to create “The Polynesian Panthers.”

The Australian Panther party was created by the Aborigine community who adopted the proud self identification of “Black” during the 70s. They were facing much discrimination, and needed to organize. Using “Black Power” they did just that.

The Australian Black Power movement, was also inspired by the Black Arts Movement in the US. Aborigines set up the “Black Theatre.”

The Brown Berets took inspiration from the Black Panthers. They modeled their militant look after the BPP. They learned tactics and philosophies from Black American activist.

The “Israeli Panthers” also modeled themselves after the Black Panther Party.

The Black Panther x PLO/Palestinian Panther Party connection.

Dhoruba al-Mujahid bin Wahad (Richard Earl Moore) further explaining that connection and influence.

The Young Lords were a Puerto Rican/Latino Gang, that was radicalized and Politicized by the Black Panther Party.

Felipe Luciano (Last Poets) speaking on the Young Lords.

It was Black American music that transported ideologies of Black Pride to Brazil. In the 50s/60 Brazilians threw “Black Parties,” where they listened to BA Soul/RnB music. Similar to Jamaican “Blues Parties.” Funk and Hip Hop had a major impact on Brazilian Black consciousness.

When Fela Kuti (Nigeria) visited the US, he studied Black American writers and scholars. He read the Autobiography of Malcom X, which inspired him to be a “Black Hero.” He took what he learned and applied it to his music and politics. He wrote his first radical songs in America.

Fela Kuti’s words.