Up Against the Wall: Violence in the Making and Unmaking of the Black Panther Party

by Curtis J. Austin, Elbert "Big Man" Howard (Foreword by)

Curtis J. Austin’s Up Against the Wall chronicles how violence brought about the founding of the Black Panther Party in 1966 by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale, dominated its policies, and brought about the party’s destruction as one member after another―Eldridge Cleaver, Fred Hampton, Alex Rackley―left the party, was killed, or was imprisoned. Austin shows how the party’s early emphasis in the 1960s on self-defense, though sorely needed in black communities at the time, left it open to mischaracterization, infiltration, and devastation by local, state, and federal police forces and government agencies. Austin carefully highlights the internal tension between advocates of a more radical position than the Panthers took, who insisted on military confrontation with the state and those, such as Newton and David Hilliard, who believed in making community organizing and alliance building their first priorities. Austin interviewed a number of party members who had heretofore remained silent. With the help of these stories, Austin is able to put the violent history of the party in perspective and show that the “survival” programs such as the Free Breakfast for Children program and Free Health Clinics helped the black communities they served to recognize their own bases of power and ability to save themselves.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Politics, Social Justice, Social

480 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2006

Reviews

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve just finished reading Curtis J. Austin’s Up Against the Wall: Violence in the Making and Unmaking of the Black Panther Party (2006). Austin’s research into this storyline of the struggle for equality for black people in America is in depth. He spoke at length with original sources, people who were in the Black Panther Party (BPP) and survived. His description of his encounters with Elaine Brown are especially poignant.
This review is really my reaction. I inhabit the group that for centuries subjugated people of color (POC) – white, middle class, educated males. The animosity felt toward whites by the founders of the BPP is understandable, if white people accept our role in institutional prejudice, or at least accept that we have benefited from privilege that we have not earned. It makes sense that there were black people who did not buy into the Martin Luther King Jr.’s nonviolent resistance. Lynchings, abuse by the authorities, and lack of opportunities afforded to whites from the 1960’s up through to today are born of violence, perpetuated by those in power (whites), and victimize POC’s.
My own feelings from reading the book are sorrow and regret. I am sorry my ancestors maintained a system that kept an entire group of people as an underclass. I hate it.
However, I also know that many whites today are ignorant of the injustices of Jim Crow and don’t want to be educated. Many whites today want equality, they say, but they don’t want to give anything up for it. They don’t want to hear why black people are so angry; angry enough to espouse the violence that was policy for the BPP. I have had maddening conversations with educated white people who simply will not acknowledge the existence of white privilege or that they have benefited from it.
A mantra I hear from black friends in the struggle for equality (or equity) is “If you see something, say something.” In other words, if you, a white person, see another white say or do something racially insensitive, confront that person. However, when I’ve done that it leads to the other white person acting defensively and never gaining any insight into his or her own privilege. Whatever sense of entitlement he or she felt that enabled him to say or do the racially insensitive thing is only magnified when I confront him. Maybe I am just not good at the conversation. But I also think a lot of white people aren’t interested in the conversation.
This lack of drive for equity and a racially equal society, this callous indifference from whites, is the fuel to the fire that burned in Huey Newton and Elderidge Cleaver and the others who led the BPP from a place of anger. I hope society is in a better place or at least moving toward a better place. The events in Charlottesville, VA (summer 2017) are either a sign that we are as racially divided as ever, or the last gasps of a dying racism. I hope it is the latter, but I fear it is the former. If I that is so, then Antifa is a modern day incarnation of reactionaries driven by the same rage that drove the BPP.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not just a remarkable history lesson, but a potent lesson on the use and disadvantage of violence in politics. The Black Panthers’ willingness to use force was NOT the cause of their downfall; they lived and died not by the sword but by their organizational skills and community integration. The FBI killed Fred Hampton because the Chicago Panthers were essentially supplanting the government’s welfare and educational functions, and he was well on his way to brokering a peace between Chicago’s warring gangs.

[Craig Werner · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the two best studies of the Black Panther Party. Bloom and Martin's Black Against Empire focuses on the ideological positions of the Party and suffers a bit from buying uncritically into the Panther's rhetoric. While sympathetic, Austin avoids romanticizing the story and is clear-eyed about both the allure and costs of the infatuation with violence. On balance, if you're just going to read one, I'd go with Austin, but together they provide a full picture.

[Skip · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best comprehensive profiles of the Black Panthers, looking beyond the rhetoric into the people and their complex interactions. While it is undeniably true that FBI helped destroy this black empowerment organization, Austin's book does an excellent job of outlining much of the infighting among BPP leaders. Austin helps readers understand more about the rank and file (second tier leaders) and the day-to-day work they accomplished. A bit dry at times, but overall a balanced and thoughtful addition to the literature about the Panthers.

One minor problem for me was all of the photos being taken from a single photographer/source.

[Carmilla Voiez · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was great being introduced to some of the less widely known Panthers, and the analysis of the issues faced by the party, while sympathetic, was open and honest. My only problem was with the structure. It felt as though we were frequently jumping about with regards to both the chronology and the individual actors, which made it difficult to follow at points. However, it was a very informative and well-written account.

[Jankyhellface Hellface · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to give this a higher rating as it's clear that the author put a lot of work into the research. In fact, on research alone, the book should receive 5 stars. But, the incoherent editing and lack of a good narrative make "Up Against the Wall" a pain to read. The author leaves key important details out while repeating himself over and over throughout the book. Some of the chapters are very strong, however, and I would suggest a skim of the first third of the book and focus on the last chapters as the writing gets better towards the end.