'Poignant and revealing': Dawn Butler reviews 'Black Panthers & Revolution: Stephen Shames'

'Panthers on Parade', Oakland, California, July 1968: Panthers line up at a Free Huey rally in DeFremery Park | Image: ©2017 Stephen Shames

Dawn Butler MP

@DawnButlerBrent

I had a truly inspiring experience visiting the Amar gallery in London recently, when I went to see the beautifully presented photography exhibition, Black Panthers & Revolution: Stephen Shames.

It was wonderful to see these amazing photographs of the Black Panthers being exhibited in our capital. The original prints on display at the gallery are a powerful piece of history – and as poignant as ever.

A witness to the group’s joy and the pain, photographer Stephen Shames enjoyed unprecedented access to the Black Panthers. Taken at the height of the movement from 1967 to 1973, his photographs both transport you back in time, and make you reflect on the situation today. This exhibition is, for me, one of hope. On the one hand, it is a throwback to the past but, on another, it is a lens through which you see what the future needs.

These portraits capture some of the power and love the organisation contained. The Black Panthers were a movement of protection: not just in the physical sense – the group formed breakfast clubs to ensure children were fed and ran health centres to ensure that Black people had the healthcare they were denied by structural racism. They also ran after-school clubs to ensure Black children were properly educated.

The images reveal the resilience and strength of Black people that flow through our veins. It truly is a story of survival and self-help. It also shows you exactly why the FBI and others fought so hard to discredit and destroy the group. It wasn’t just about the movement, but all the positivity the Black Panthers represented.

This exhibition is, for me, one of hope

Shames’ pictures demonstrate the diversity of all the people sat together, chanting and protesting, including calling for the release of Angela Davis (a leading member of the Black Panthers’ Los Angeles chapter, who was arrested in 1970).

That freedom call was a cry for the liberty of all: a statement that fighting for my rights does not in any way negate you fighting for your rights. It was only the evil people and the psychopaths who didn’t want to see that unity and joy in society.

The Black Panthers were often painted as a violent group, but they really weren’t – they were a movement all about empowerment, and it was great to see that showcased. That’s not to say they didn’t sometimes meet violence with violence, but that wasn’t their primary purpose.

Amar Singh, whose gallery it is, was told that the ‘George Floyd era’ was over and that he should exhibit something else. I don’t think that could be any more wrong.

This gallery really is a hidden gem, where we can come and learn a little about history.

I was delighted to visit and support this vital exhibition. With all that is going on in the world right now, I think it is a special moment to take time to walk around these 50-plus photos and think about what some people tried to build, and others destroy, and what we need to do to make the future a better place.

I encourage all those interested to show your support – it runs until Sunday 6 July.

Readers can watch a video of my visit here:  https://x.com/DawnButlerBrent/status/1935289776107663632

Dawn Butler is Labour MP for Brent East

Black Panthers & Revolution: Stephen Shames
Venue: Amar Gallery, 12-14 Whitfield Street, London W1, until Sunday 6 July

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