All Power To The People: The Revolutionary Art Of Emory Douglas

The University of Chicago’s Center for the Studies of Race, Politics, and Culture, DOVA (Department of Visual Arts) Temporary Gallery, Black Panther Party Illinois History Project, and Diasporal Rhythms for an exhibit of works by Emory Douglas, internationally known artist and former Black Panther Party Minister of Culture. Location: DOVA Temporary (5228 S. Harper). Exhibit runs December 2, 2009-January 2, 2010.

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On the back of each issue of The Black Panther, a weekly paper published by the Panther Party, was a poster, usually created by Douglas.

When The Black Panther newspaper was first published, the spectrum of African American experiences was almost invisible from the mainstream (Eurocentric) American media landscape, save stereotypical roles.  The black press often concentrated on the middle class.

In The Black Panther newspaper, images of poor and working class black people were glorified, and Emory Douglas often featured women in his illustrations. For 10 years at the paper, his drawings maintained poor black people’s dignity while focusing on their plight. There was no patronizing. He drew dark-skinned African-featured everyday people beaming with pride.