Steven Shames’s documentary photograph of George Jackson’s funeral epitomizes one of the central themes of the Black Panther movement. The photo features Panther leader Huey Newton delivering the eulogy at the 1971 funeral.
The black and white photograph is visually stunning for its details of two unidentified party members openly displaying loaded shotguns, flanking either side of the coffin. The other major point is that there is seems to be no deliberate focal point in the picture. Newton is actually in the background of the shot. The coffin is static and not shot in closeup. Neither are the gunmen. They aren’t even facing the camera, and their eyes are covered in sunglasses. Their bodies are rigid and tall, while the shotguns are slung loosely across their chests.
The power of the photo is that your eye is still drawn to the shotguns. They are not being pointed, the men holding them are still, but the feeling of menace is overwhelming. The viewer is forced to acknowledge these deadly men above all other details of the image. The black and white photo is stark and bleak. It emphasizes both the solemnity of the occasion and the party members’ seriousness of purpose.
This photo ably demonstrates one of the Panthers’ central party themes; self-defense. Formed after Malcom X’s assassination, the Panthers advocated armed resistance. It’s hard to imagine why they felt the need for self protection at a funeral, but the clear message is that they stand ready to protect their party. They look like dangerous, serious men, and those who might challenge them need to be aware; those men will shoot to kill.
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I analyzed the same photo, Barb. This photo stood out to me for the same reasons it did to you. The men with the shotguns were a focal point in the photo and I think this particular picture summarized the entire Black Panther movement: a need for self-defense, like you stated. Even in the most vulnerable times these people still made sure they had security. This message conveys that it was never safe for them, not even at a funeral.
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