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Chairman Fred Hampton was a leader, fearlessly fighting for and promoting a society that would treat everyone justly. The power of his words fuelled by his passion planted seeds of change, inspiring people to envision and work towards a world where every person is treated wth dignity and respect. His legacy, like a river continues to carve paths of hope in the community, showing us that collective action can reshape the world.

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A Brief History of Chairman Fred Hampton

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A Brief History of Chairman Fred Hampton

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Fredrick Hampton AKA Chairman Fred, born in 1948 and whose life was cut short by an FBI raid in 1969, was a revolutionary leader within the Black Panther Party in Chicago. Growing up in Illinois he was was heavily involved with the civil rights movement, becoming the NAACP Youth president in his teen years. He quickly climbed the B.P.P ladder due to his deep commitment to helping his community and ability to inspire folks through powerful words. Chairman Fred fought tirelessly for racial equality, community control over police, and providing essential services to Black neighbourhoods.

(McPherson, 2019)

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Chairman Fred knew there needed to be systemic change to achieve social justice. He passionatley believed in the power of education in order to liberate communities, He preached political empowerment, and economic opportunities to be accessible to marginalized communities. Recognizing that the dynamics of power and oppression, has always been, and will always be, at the very heart of struggles for justice and equality. He showed us the interconnected webs of oppression, but also the power of people united. (Williams, 2013).

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In his November 1969 speech at Northern Illinois University, Chairman Fred shifted the focus towards class struggle. He expressed skepticism towards the sole focus on racial identity, hinting it was a distraction of sparking a real revolution. Hampton emphasized tackling class oppression as crucial for meaningful change, critiquing those reluctant to address class issues.

He highlighted Marxism as a vital lens for understanding class conflict, preaching unity among oppressed classes against systemic injustices and capitalist exploitation. (Hampton, 2020)

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Chairman Fred's vision of unity transformed into reality when he brought together diverse oppressed political groups. The Young Lords, representing Puerto Rican interests, and The Young Patriots Organization, advocating for lower-class leftist whites, were key in this collaboration. This alliance was called The Rainbow Coalition. A kaleidoscope of voices and backgrounds united by a shared determination for systemic change.

This coalition stood as a testament to unity; it was a bold move demonstrating to everyone, regardless of differences, the power of coming together for the larger fight for change.(McPherson, 2019)

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The messages and intentions of the Black Panther Party (BPP) were often misrepresented or misunderstood by the general public and media, partly due to the polarizing rhetoric they used to highlight societal inequalities.

This situation is similar to modern reactions to terms like 'socialism' or 'communism,' where people become agitated due to the historical associations with authoritarian regimes.

The media played a significant role in amplifying the most militant aspects of the Black Panthers, often overshadowing their community initiatives aimed at equity, which in turn affected public support.

(McPherson, 2019)

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Adopting an anti-oppressive stance means actively listening to and lifting up the voices of those we seek to support, connecting with diverse groups that transcend societal divisions, and committing to systemic change that addresses the root causes of oppression. Chairman Fred's legacy teaches us that education, unity, and community are powerful forces for real tangible change.

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Hampton Think. (2020, August 30). "It's a class struggle, goddammit!": A speech by Fred Hampton (1969). Retrieved from https://www.hamptonthink.org/read/its-a-class-struggle-goddammit-fred-hampton

Hampton, F. (2011) I am a revolutionary. NothingToBeGainedHere. https://nothingtobegainedhere.wordpress.com/2011/08/30/i-am-a-revolutionary-fred-hampton/

Jakobi Williams. (2013). From the Bullet to the Ballot : The Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party and Racial Coalition Politics in Chicago. The University of North Carolina Press.

McPherson, C. (2019). You Can’t Kill Chairman Fred: Examining the Life and Legacy of a Revolutionary. Journal of African American Studies, 23(4), 276–298. https://doi-org.bowvalley.idm.oclc.org/10.1007/s12111-019-09436-8