The Black Panther Party was a violent criminal organization, which employed murder and torture. There is no serious dispute on this point. But for the Sixties generation lefties, the Huey Newton—in—wicker—chair poster was an exciting icon of the revolutionary potential they thrilled themselves contemplating. So there is a never—ending effort to gloss over the awkward stuff and celebrate the free breakfast programs for kids.

The San Francisco Chronicle lavishes space today on 'news' that

Former Black Panther Party members plan to reflect on the black power movement, their experiences and their work in the black community when they celebrate the 40th anniversary of the controversial organization's founding Friday through Sunday in Oakland.

Oh boy! I can hardly wait for all the coverage the actual three day long celebration will generate.

All tyrants, be they thuggish Oakland gang leaders, or gang leaders who succeeded like Hitler or Kim Il—sung, do some good things. The autobahnen and the Pyongyang subway could be celebrated too. But it would require overlooking too much reality.

I would call this a whitewash effort. But that might be construed as denigrating blackness. So let's call it a blackwash.

Thomas Lifson  10 11 06