Revolutionary Suicide

Power to the People (Library of Congress)

“Something remarkable was taking place during every prayer service. When people in the congregation prayed for each other, a feeling of community took over; they were involved in each other’s problems and trying to help solve them….People really related to each other. Here was a microcosm of what out to have been going on outside in the community. I had the first glimmer of what it means to have a unified goal that involves the whole community and calls for the strengths of the people to make things better” (38).

Working in the tradition of The Autobiography of Malcolm X, Huey P. Newton recounts his early life, founding the Black Panther Party with Bobby Seale, his wrongful imprisonment and the series of trials surrounding his indictment, and other narratives from his life story in Revolutionary Suicide. Newton’s tone is accessible, engaging, and vivid; even as he recounts the thoroughness of his self-education, quotes erudite texts, and outlines complex political theory, the sense of the author’s distinct, grounded voice never leaves his autobiography. Not only an essential read for anyone wishing to understand the origins of the Black Panther Party in particular, Revolutionary Suicide is also an important part of the canon of U.S. American prison literature, and a useful look at the organization and processes a revolutionary, community-centric group might use to fight oppressive forces.

Subjects this book includes that some readers may be sensitive to: detainment and imprisonment; harassment and searches by security forces; gun violence.