Riverside City College honored Black History Month with an event titled “Black Panther Forum: Conversation with Henry “Hank” Jones and Harold Taylor” organized by the Office of College Equity, Inclusion and Engagement on Feb. 24 inside the Business, Law and Computer Information Systems building multipurpose room.
Former Black Panther Party members Hank Jones and Harold Taylor hosted this forum to inspire and inform students on their real-life experiences that shaped Black History in America.
Taylor joined the Black Panther Party in 1967 when the organization had only been established for one year. The original purpose of the party, when he joined, was to learn self-defense against police brutality.
Over time, the party grew to carry many different purposes than just self-defense. Many people called on party members to help with domestic violence and create a safe community, free from drugs and gang violence.
“We became fearless,” Taylor said, “My generation, where I came from, the conditions dictate what you do.”
He shared his personal experience as a member and the struggles the party faced. One of which was infiltration. Taylor expressed that at some point trust was lost among the members as society and the law built a system to pin them against each other.
Like Taylor, Jones added that he was a father to three children, a husband and full-time worker when he joined the party. He explained that the death of Emmett Till ignited him to join, as he wanted to protect his community and himself.
Both members eventually left the party but still lived their lives facing challenges of discrimination and systematic disadvantages.
Taylor expressed that over time the party had become a “tool of the enemy” and “gangsterized” by society, so he chose to leave in 1971.
“I wanted to find like-minded people,” Taylor said “Associate myself with people who want to defend ourselves, defend our community and enhance our community.”
Taylor and Jones both wanted to share their stories of perseverance because, “if we fail to share it, we’re not doing our assignment. I give us a B on our assignment because we didn’t get a chance to get an A, but we’re leaving it up to you guys.”
Mary Amara, an audience member, shared her feelings about Jones’ remarks; “It’s very important to me as a Black person and person in general to hear from revolutionary people. I will be taking Hank’s advice to surround myself with like-minded people and I appreciate RCC for giving this opportunity.”
