WS Chronicle

By Felecia Piggott-Long, Ph.D.

In 1969, Winston-Salem became the first Southern city to establish a chapter of the Black Panther Party. On the state, local and national level, the chief purpose of the Black Panther Party was to protect African American neighborhoods from police brutality and other forms of oppression. Later the organization offered several community service programs such as the Joseph Waddell People’s Free Ambulance program, which received national acclaim, free breakfast program for school children, and sickle cell anemia testing

The Black Panther Party agitated for meaningful change during turbulent times of social and political upheaval. A special marker was erected in honor of the Party in 2012 at the intersection of East 5th Street and North Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive.  

From Oct. 27 – 30, the local Black Panther Party sponsored several events: a healing service at Dellabrook Presbyterian Church; an official welcome for Mama C, known as Charlotte O’Neal, at the Carter G. Woodson School; a public conversation with Mama C at Wake Forest University in the Puch Auditorium in the Benson University Center; and a reception for the 55th anniversary of the local chapter at Other Suns Coffee Shop.

World-renowned, elder and servant of the people since her membership in the Black Panther Party in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1969, Charlotte O’Neal, affectionately known as “Mama C,” and her husband, Papa Pete O’Neal, have committed their lives to service on both sides of the ocean. Spoken-word artist, visual artist, poet, musician, storyteller, peace builder, and co-founder of the United African Village Alliance Community Center at their home in Imbaseni Village, Arusha, Tanzania. Mama C blessed Winston-Salem with her spiritual performance, healing wisdom, and motivational storytelling. 

More than 150 people attended the reception at Other Suns Coffee Shop where Comrade Hazel Mack welcomed all of the guests to the 55th anniversary gathering. Mama C performed her original poetry and led the singing of spirituals and cultural songs.

“We want everyone to take a look at the memorial table and give honor to those who made contributions to our survival, but are no longer with us,” said Hazel Mack. “I also call your attention to the comrades who are seated on the high porch. These brothers have stood strong in our name. Bro. Grier, and Bro. Larry Little, who is facing a challenge with cancer, but he is coming through his healing process. We have Bro. James Ford and Br. Ed McQueen. I remember when these two brothers would compete to sell newspapers for the Party. Randy and Brad Fowler were a part of the High Point Four video and Papa Doc,” said Mack.

“We were taught to serve the people, and the people will also protect you. We were 18, 19, and 20 without a dime! You cannot value what you gotta do based on the money in your pocket. Judge Durham worked on the campus of UNC-Chapel Hill, but he would make flyers, posters and signs for us. Many people helped us who were never in the Black Panther Party. They wrote checks. They could not do it openly when they could do. Some of them you might have called them Uncle Tom,” Mack said.  

“But they gave me books that I could read to learn about oppression, about the struggle. The Party gave me guns, but in 1969, some of the leaders gave me books. Some of these struggles are still going on now, like the struggle in Palestine. The Party stood with Palestine,” said Mack. 

“Don’t get it twisted! Our duty is to righteousness, to truth. Stand for right! Judge Hayes was a fervent supporter. Dr. Rembert Malloy was a fervent supporter. In this belly of the beast, don’t forget your assignment. God requires certain things of us. The election is next week. We cannot just stand and cower. Get a plan for survival. Gird up! We didn’t get this far being cowards. … We war with joy! We awake with joy and love!  This ain’t about hate. Envy not your oppressor. Follow none of his ways,” Mack said.

The major sponsors that brought Mama C to the Twin City include the Winston-Salem Chapter of the Black Panther Party, Carter G. Woodson School, The African American Studies Department of Wake Forest University, and Legacy Bridge, NC.  Additional sponsors include Challenges of 21st Century, People Research Council (PRC), Dellabrook Presbyterian Church, Other Suns, Mt. Moriah Outreach Center, Alumni Chapter BPP, and Island Culturez.