This week we read Huey P. Newton’s Revolutionary Suicide. The excerpt from the film, A Huey P. Newton story was the most fascinating part of this section to me. The actor did an incredible job portraying Huey and there was an incredible artistic and emotional weight that came through each shot, sometimes with historical footage superimposed behind Huey as he spoke. I’m not sure what the rest of the film was about, but this alone was incredibly powerful and gave me the most insight as to who he might have been. The book’s anecdotes and rhetoric was compelling and interesting, but to see an interpretation of Huey’s mind brought to life through film was incredible. It got me thinking about the mind of a revolutionary. Throughout the class, we’ve seen into the minds of revolutionaries through different means. This book in particular though showcased the thought process, motivations, and upbringing of an impactful rebel. Huey P. Newton believed in all power to the people, and unlike how the media attempted to depict him, he was not uneducated or hellbent on violence. In the part of the film we saw, Huey reflects on his life as a revolutionary and describes the thought process behind the 10 point program. His gesturing, mannerisms, and way of speech reveal to us how passionate he was about bringing justice to black America. They also reveal how his many years of perseverance through oppression and revolution have affected him. His energy is nervous and he often stutters or stumbles for words. When we look at the way that 1968-69 has affected other protagonists and figures throughout our readings, it’s no surprise that Huey would be troubled in this way. However, it’s possible that Huey was already somewhat erratic and this led to him being such a powerful revolutionary. Maybe it takes a revolutionary mind in order to lead people into cutting edge progressivism. His ideas and programs for the youth, homeless, and jobless showcase the way in which he cared about his community, and yet his group was targeted by the government and media. Though Huey is a standout, there are many similarities between him and other leaders that we’ve read of. The particular aspect that speaks the most to me is their desperation.