De-Vilifying the Panthers: How 2000s University Presses Challenged Dominant Historical Conceptions of the Black Panther Party, 2023
Scope and Content Note
The series contains Master's theses from 1943 to present. The theses consist of either a production book and a media component or solely a production book. The production books were originally submitted as physical bound copies, but were later submitted digitally. The physical production books are stored offsite and the digital production books are stored in the College's preservation repository.
The media components consist of U-matic tapes, VHS tapes, CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays and changed to digital submissions in 2020. There are also a handful of audiocassette tapes and one USB. The media components are stored onsite at the Archives.
Dates
- 2023
Creator
- Sharma, Neil (Author, Person)
Conditions Governing Use
The thesis is restricted due to FERPA, permission from the author is required before you can view the thesis.
Extent
125 pages (125 pages)
Language of Materials
From the record group: English
From the record group: Chinese
From the record group: Spanish; Castilian
Overview
"Although the Black Panther Party was only active from 1966 to 1982, the organization remains a topic of public fascination. 129 books have been written about the Panthers, and this paper examines the twenty-two books published by university presses between 2000 and 2010. I attempt to determine the reasons behind this surge of Black Panther books and how university publishers influenced the Party's historical memory. The Black Panther Party left behind a multilayered social, political, and cultural legacy, but their accomplishments can't be celebrated with acknowledging the violence, criminality, and sexism that permeated the organization. University publishers' changing business model coupled with previous lack of Panther scholarship influenced this boom of books. Their specialized scholarly studies contextualized the Party's impact within 20th century American history, challenging dominant historical interpretations of the civil rights movement while influencing a more holistic depiction of the Black Panthers across different forms of popular media." -- Abstract
Physical Location
RG 010.01B Writing, Literature & Publishing
Physical Description
125 pages
Repository Details
Part of the Emerson College Archives and Special Collections Repository
Walker Building, Room 223
120 Boylston Street
Boston Massachusetts 02116 United States
(617) 824-8301
archives@emerson.edu