The rise of the Black Panther Party in 1966
marked the beginning of a new civil rights movement that is still
criticized for it's employment of violent measures. Yet the party
represented so much more, focusing on not only self-defense, but also
the general elevation of a race through public welfare programs
designed and executed by panther members. One must wonder why no one
seems to remember the soup kitchens and health clinics. While stories
of protests and brutality tend to overshadow human interest stories
in most media, something larger was at play. 1966 was host to the
rise of the Black Panthers and also the dissent of mainstream press
coverage. Integrity disintegrated. The press diverted its intent from
proper representation of the Civil Rights Movement in order to
cultivate a negative image of the radical Panthers. From 1968 to 1970
the press made the Panthers into monsters through highlighting
contradictions with in the movement, belittling it's leaders and
emphasizing only the militant characteristics of the party.