Huey Newton's doctoral dissertation in History of Consciousness at UC Santa Cruz

by Huey P. Newton

Wed, Jul 18, 2012 9:33AM

"Huey Newton (February 17, 1942 – August 22, 1989) earned a bachelor's degree from UC Santa Cruz in 1974. He was enrolled as a graduate student in History of Consciousness at UC Santa Cruz in 1978, when he arranged to take a reading course from famed evolutionary biologist Robert Trivers, while in prison. He and Trivers became close friends. [...] Newton earned a Ph.D. in history of consciousness at the University of California at Santa Cruz in 1980. His doctoral dissertation was entitled 'War Against the Panthers: A Study of Repression in America.' Later, Newton's widow, Frederika Newton, would discuss her husband's often-ignored academic leanings on C-SPAN's "American Perspectives" program on February 18, 2006."

It is logical that Oakland, California, should be the focus of hostile government actions against the Party because it is the place where the Party was founded, and it is the center of its organizational strength. In discussing Party leaders, including myself, and events in which they were involved, there has been a persistent temptation to write personally and emotionally. Individuals, with all their strengths and weaknesses, make significant differences in the outcome of political struggles; however, their roles are too often romanticized, clouding an understanding of the political forces propelling them into struggle. I have tried to maintain an objectivity consistent with scholarly standards by placing the roles of the involved personalities in proper political perspective. To aid in this effort, I will be referred to throughout this study in the third person. This dissertation is then, by necessity, illustrative, not exhaustive; a history in brief, not a biography of the Black Panther Party [BPP].

PHOTO: Huey Newton Arrested in Santa Cruz County

Famed Black Panther leader Huey Newton was arrested in Santa Cruz County on May 11, 1978. He was charged with attempted murder after gun shots were fired during an argument at the Mediterranean Bar in Seacliff Beach. He was later acquitted on July 13, 1978 by Judge William Kelsay, who didn't believe there was enough evidence for Newton to stand trial on felony charges. At the time of his arrest and acquittal, Newton was a resident of Santa Cruz County, enrolled at UCSC as a doctoral candidate in the History of Consciousness program.

§War Against The Panthers: A Study Of Repression In America (1980)

by Huey P. Newton

Wed, Jul 18, 2012 9:33AM

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§' War Against The Panthers: A Study Of Repression In America'

by Huey P. Newton

Tue, Nov 20, 2012 3:59PM

I am reading brother Huey's 'Dissertation,'and I am amazed at his strength of character, his courage and his integrity. To unselfishly follow his ideals and beliefs, in the face of a system of 'White Supremacy' (CAPITALISM) with its hegemony and overwhelming agency of 'state.' His words were, and still are at odds with the pandemic view of 'The Real American', which is a cipher, or a code that is employed by the 'Media' and the 'Governing Bodies', to validate their disenfranchisement of all 'Indegenous Americans' and 'African' (Americans?), from the (means and modes of their production)benefits that are legally bestowed to them, by right of the 'American Constitution'and the subsequent amendments; which should empower all Americans whether naturalised or indegenous.

However, the stated aim of Huey's thesis is now relegated to the blackburners of contemporary history, thus whenever America is examined/analysed in the current-day; his aims and objectives seem further away from any semblance of our possible reality. This is a shame as brother Huey's legacy (BPP) is immense, and his objectives are humane and much needed in this contemporary 'Globalised' paradigm!! Hotep

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§Dissertation Comment

by Andrew Jackson

Wed, Jul 2, 2014 6:52AM

Huey Newtons dissertation should be required reading for all minority Americans living in the USA. This is very powerful. I love Doctor Newton for thinking of and executing this master piece. I only recently have been inquiring about who Huey Newton really was as a person, and this explains everything about this great man. He is a true American hero that was bigger than all of his opponents and oppressors. And a genuine person. For a black man to go back to college and get his PhD speaks for it self especially after fighting your way threw the 1960s and 70's. I think he deserves a legal holiday more so than any of the slave owning former Presidents.

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