Come watch documentary on Black Panther Richard Aoki on March 13th
Article by Emily Wilson.
Last updated at Sat, 20 Mar at 7:33pm.

 Aoki will screen at the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival on Saturday, March 13, Wednesday, March 17 and Saturday, March 20. For more information and to get tickets, visit this site.

 

In 2002, when Mike Cheng and his friend Ben Wang were students at UC Davis majoring in Asian American history, they went to interview Richard Aoki for a student newspaper, Third World Forum.

Cheng said meeting Aoki, a Japanese American who was one of the founding members of the Black Panther Party, made such an impression on him that although he’d never made a film before, he told Aoki he wanted to make a documentary about him.  

“I had a big mouth,” Cheng said. “He said something about how from his perspective he had yet to see a documentary that accurately reflected his perspective, and I just blurted out, ‘Let us make a documentary on you.’”  

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Community News: Black Panther Party Celebrates 43 years
Article by Kwan Booth.
Last updated at Thu, 22 Oct at 12:47pm.

 

We Were Free For a While by Steve D. McCutchen aka Lil' Masai

When the Black Panther Party for Self Defense was formed in 1966, theirmission was clear: self sufficiency, an end to police brutality and better access to jobs, healthcare and education for African Americans in urban communities throughout the country.

In the 43 years since, the legend and influence of the party is still felt not just in West Oakland where the party got it's start but in communities around the country. Throughout October the It's About Time Committee, a coalition of former panthers and supporters, has been celebrating the anniversar and highlighting the party's contributions through a series of programs and teach ins.

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