Seize the Time

"There are a lot of misconceptions about the Black Panther Party. I wanted to write this book so people could have better insight into the inner workings of the Party, so that people would have a more true understanding of the Black Panther Party - what it really does, the kind of people who are in it, their everyday lives, the things that have happened to the Party." Scale's document derives from tape recordings he made in the early fall of 1968 and the fall and winter of 1969-1970, edited by a former Ramparts editor under Scale's supervision. With an earnest intentness upon clarifying Panther philosophy (not racist, not pro-violence) and Panther practice (they do not murder former members), with wonderfully direct language and an endearing hero worship of the charismatic Huey P. Newton, "the baddest motherfucker ever to set foot in history," Scale sets forth the whole turbulent career of the Panther Party and his own fortunes as Huey's partner and Panther Chairman. Scale can fling rhetoric with the best of them: "The time is now to wage relentless revolutionary struggle against the fascist, avaricious, demagogic ruling class and their low-life, sadistic pigs." But, surprisingly, what shines through the whole account as convincingly as the anger and the ardor is a touching, almost naive sincerity and faith: Huey Newton shouting at a flustered patrolman, "What's the matter with you? You're supposed to be people enforcing the law, and here you are, ready to violate my constitutional rights"; Newton and Scale proscribing public "cussing" so that mothers won't misunderstand the real program of the Panther Party; Scale at the Chicago "Conspiracy" trial clamoring for his right to have his own lawyer - "Hoffman didn't even investigate; he didn't care. A judge is supposed to at least investigate a person's position, especially in regard to legal defense. But he didn't." It's militantly persuasive so seize the time to read it. (Kirkus Reviews)