With the emergence of the Black Lives Matter movement, many are looking back to the Black Panther Party as an important political and cultural precedent.
Eldridge Cleaver was one of the most controversial and contradictory members of the organization--he was a prisoner, Minister of Information for the Party, political refugee, born again Christian minister, and designer of men's trousers. Drawing from Cleaver's unpublished archives--over 30,000 pages of novels, letters, speeches, and private writings--Professor Gifford provides new insights into the history of the Panthers and offers a broader perspective about the need for Black Lives Matter.
UNR Professor Dr. Justin Gifford specializes in American and African American literature and culture, crime fiction, critical theory, popular culture, and cultural studies. Click here to learn more about Dr. Gifford.