The Behrend Beacon Black Panther founder sets the record straight by Will Jordan editor in chief “All the power to all the people,” Bobby Seale, founding chairman and national organizer of the Black Panther Party, spoke at a press conference this past Monday before speaking at the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration which was held in the Reed Union Building. Seale was asked to comment about the era and the influence that King had on him by a reporter from the Erie Times. Seale had first heard King speak in 1962 at a rally. A year later he would find his next profound influence. This came from Nelson Mandela when he was imprisoned in 1963. Malcolm X was another influence when he left the Nation ot Islam in 1964. In 1966 Seale created the Black Panther Party (BPP) which consisted of young college students. The BPP was based on a Ten Point program which called for full employment, decent houusing, true history education, an end to economic exploitation, preventive medical health care, fairness in the courts, and constitutional democratic civil-human rights for all people. In his speech, Seale mentioned the black and white demonstrators at Berkeley College from 1962 to 1966. He also mentioned the demonstrators being brutalized by the police. The BPP took a position of self defense against the police brutality. "The government has no right to brutalize, torture, or violate the constitutional rights of the protestors.” Seale said. The BPP started several programs which included the Free Breakfast for Children Program and the Free Hospital and Perscription Program. The BPP also crossed racial lines. Unlike the beliefs of most people about the BPP, they did not advocate What’s Inside Police and Safety: Loud Party SPC Movie: “Waterboy” Calendar of Events Editorial: Clinton still good leader Campus News: No more Nude Olympics Erie, PA 16563 black supremecy or black seperatism. “We don’t hate white people, we hate oppressors.” Seale stated. They were about "All the power to all the people." As Seale put it, "It didn’t matter if you were black, white, blue, red, green, yellow, or polka dot,” the BPP would work with you. The BPP had a working coalition with several different organizations. Seale then mentioned that before the death of Martin Luther King Jr. the BPP had 400 members. After his death, the number of members grew to over 5,000. In a television interview, Seale said that he presently resides in Germantown, northwest Philadelphia. He brought up his program called REACH which teaches effective community organizing to young people. REACH stands for the Reclaiming, Recycling and Re evolving, Ecological, Economic, Enviro- Empowerment, Around and About all- peoples Active, Creative, Cooperational, Humanism. He then reiterated that the BPP was "not just about Black Power." When asked if the BPP were a continuation of "by any means necessary,” Seale said that they were to an extent. The BPP was for self defense and the protection of constitutional rights. After the television interview was over. Seale was escorted in Reed Commons where the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was already under way. The Celebration began with several students re-enacting the march on Washington D.C. This was followed by opening remarks by Provost and Dean, Dr. John Lilley, and a warm welcome by Director of Educational Equity Programs, Janique Caffie. As Seale entered the room, the “I Have a Dream” speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was being projected on the large screen. After the speech was over Jacqueline Jackson introduced Seale. Seale began by stating that the first Behrend receives $850,000 gift from Clark family by Shannon Weber News Editor Due to a generous endowment of $850,000 made by the Clark family, their children are now eligible for scholarships at Behrend. This major endowment was set up for this purpose. In 1997 the Clark family had established a $ 100,000 scholarship to provide young people the chance for an education. The Clark family is the owner of Snap-tite, Inc. “It’s very important to us to reach out to the young people of this region,” said George Clark, Snap-tite, Inc. chairman, president, and CEO. “Many of the young adults in this area would not have a chance to go to college unless someone gave them some help. Our hope is that this gift will make a difference in many people’s lives.” Snap-tite, Inc. looks at this not as a contribution but as an investment into the community. “We know that by investing in this young people, the January 21, 1999 Volume XLVII No. 17 time he saw Dr. King was in the fall of 1962 in the Oaland Auditorium at a rally. Seale was an engineering design major in college. Seale also stated that the movie Panther is 90% false. Seale said that a book called "Facing Mount Kenya” that was recommended to him by a friend made him want to look in to the culture of the "Afro- american.” "I found out that Tar/.an didn’t run Africa." Seale said. Seale then mentioned the run ins that he and the BPP had with the FBI and J. Edgar Hoover. In 1969. Hoover made a promise to the american people that the FBI would get rid of the menace of the BPP. Throughout 1969. the FBI attacked all 45 BPI’ offices across the United States. Seale made several references to Dr. King and his works. "In fact, we had a working coalition with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).” Scale stated. "The Black Panther Party never advocated rioting." Seale stated. After the murder of Dr. King, Seale and members of the BPP prevented several riots from occuring throughout California. After the movement of the 1960’s had come to an end, 29 members of the BPP were killed in shootouts and 14 policemen were killed. community will benefit in the long run. That the way we feel about it,” noted Gary Clark, vice president and chief administrative officer ol Snap tite, Inc. The increase of the investment made by the Clark family for the Clark Family and Snap-tite, Inc. Scholarship was inspired by the campaign that is going to be announced by the college. This is Behrend’s the first major capital campaign since the early 1980’s. “Penn State Behrend’s corporate campaign drive has just begun and will continue through the first nine months of 1999,” explained Dr. Chris Reber, associate provost for Advancement and University Relations at Penn State Behrend. “Thirty-five percent of our students come from families with annual incomes of less than $35,000,” said Provost and Dean Dr. John Lilley. “It is wonderful to know that this generous gift from the Clark family and Snap-tite, Inc. will open doors for students from this day Bobby Seale speaks at Reed Commons for MLK celebration "The court room to us was a forum.” Seale said. The BPP was always to accept an arrest. They had one of the best team of lawyers in the country. The BPP won 95 c / ot their After Seale finished with his remarks. Coordinator, Residence Life and Human Relations Programs, Masrur Syed gave the closing remarks. In an interview' following the celebration, Seale was made aware of the recent Klu Klux Klan rally in Erie. He said that the members of the KKK need to be educated more than Behrend Men’s Basketball Team triumphs by Jason Snyder sports editor The Penn State Behrend's mens basketball team opened Allegheney Mountain Collegiate Conference i AMCC) play with a pair of wins to continue their strong season. Their impressive play has not gone unoticed, and the 11 -2 Behrend Lions found themselves ranked third in the recently released NCAA Division 111 East Region poll. Ironically, the number one ranked team in the region is Saint John Fisher, a team which Behrend beat handily 74-61 earlier season. Behrend's only losses have been at Division 1 Cornell University, at a RIT, the tenth ranked team in the recent poll. The Lions have won five games in a row and eight of their last nine games. Behrend faced a tough league foe when they traveled to Pitt-Bradford last night. Pitt-Bradford beat Behrend twice inleague play last season. Details of the game will be in next week's Beacon . AMCC play began for the Lions on Wednesday, January 13 at Lake Erie. Behrend won the contest 57- 48. Behrend defense limted Lake Erie to 19-54 (35%) shooting. Forward Chris Hughes led the Lions with seventeen points, followed by forward Andy Lawrence with fourteen and guard Jason Paloskey anything else. Since the minds of the members of the KKK are usually underdeveloped, they are very susceptible to what their leader is saying. It is the leaders of the KKK that give the message of hate. Seale mention that a DNA lest was done and alter till of the visible differences in human beings, there is only a 2% difference. This includes skin color, hair color, hair texture, and even the male/female reproductive organs. "That means that everyone is 98% similar to each other.” Seale said. The next event at which Seale spoke was an informal, round table with ten. Lawrence led the team with six rebounds and Hughes grabbed five. Behrend's next game was a home contest against Frostburg State on Saturday, January 16. The teams brought conflicting team profiles to the Erie Hall hardwood. Of Frostburg's seventeen suited players, thirteen were freshman or sophmores, with seven being listed as 6'4" or taller. Behrend dressed fourteen players, only six being freshmen or sophmores, and listed only lour players at six feet four inches or taller. Behrend used their distinct advantage asnd experience to beat Frostburgh 69-54. The teams exchanged early baskets, and, with nine minutes to play, in the first half the score was knotted 16-16. Behrend outscored FSU 15-4 in the remainder of the half and went to the lockeroom with a 31 - 20 advantage. Behrend opened the second half strong and had their largest lead of the game with twelve minutes remaining, at 45-25. FSU played catch-up, and a foul shot with 6:30 remaining closed the gap to 50-39, but Behrend played strong during the stretch run and held on for the impressive win. Frostburg chose to run a full court press the entire game, despite Behrend's ability to break it a majority of the time. "Becuase they pressed us we had * i • • i.:. discussion in the Multi-Cultura Council oftice. Several students attended the event. The first question that arose was about the assassinations of Mark Clark and Fred Hampton. Seale brought up the name of a former FBI agent. Wesley Swarinjin. In his book, Swarinjin spoke about the plans that J. Edgar Hoover had for "getting rid of the menace of the BPP.” Part ol the plan included the murder of the BPP leaders. “Humanity in America has come a Continued on Page 2 to adjust," guard Jason Poloskey commented. "Everyone played unselfishly and did a good job finding the open man." Statistically Paloskey was the most unselfish of all, as he led the team with eight assists to go along with his eight points.. Despite Frostburg's team height advantage, Behrend owned the offensive offenive and defensive glass. Behrend outrebounded their oppobent 37-19. Center Chris Hughes dominated the inside and led the Lins with twenty points and eleven rebounds. Center Nate Wilson also collected eleven rebounds and scored nine points. Guard Brock Bovaird scored sixteen points and made three three-pointers in the second half. Strong Lion defense held forward Stephen Re, FSU's top scorer at sixteen points per game, in check with six points 2-7 (29%) shooting. FSU had been averaging 85 points per contest coming into the game. Behrend travels to Pitt-Greensburg for league action this Saturday, January 23, and then to Hilbert for a non-league game neext Wednesday. Behrend's next home game is on Staurday, January 30, when Laßoche visits Erie Hall.
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