Description:

Cleaver Eldridge 1935 - 1998 Black Panther Eldridge Cleaver delivers speech about South Africa

Extremely scarce unsigned manuscript by Black Panther leader Eldridge Cleaver (1935-1992). Single page of cream note paper inscribed in blue ball point pen. Speech notes comprised of six talking points related to South Africa. In extra fine condition, measuring 5" x 7". Accompanied by an envelope with "Cleaver for Congress, 8th Congressional District, Post Office Box 27087, Oakland, California 94602" flag-decorated letterhead, in very fine condition except for rough area where mailing address label was once adhered.


The speech notes read as follows:

"South Africa

1. Must become No. 1 Foreign Policy issue for Black America.

2. We should challenge both Democratic party/Republican to implement following strategy:

1.Declare War on South Africa's Racist Regime; Demanding Democracy.

2.Break off Diplomatic Relations;

3. Break off Political Support at U.N.

4. Freeze all S.A. Assets In U.S.

5. Restrict circulation of S.A. Diplomats in all S.A. to same extent Cubans, etc, are restricted - to immediate Vicinity of U.N.

6. Discourage Travel, Tourism etc., to South Africa"



Eldridge Cleaver became actively involved in the Black Panther Party during its infancy. Along with other Panthers, Cleaver believed that centuries of systematic racism, mistreatment, and oppression of American blacks could be eradicated by black empowerment, and that this should be achieved through violent means if necessary. Cleaver's notes show his transnational comparison of apartheid in South Africa with institutionalized racism in the United States. His speech notes also reflect his ideological interest in Communist states such as Cuba. (As a fugitive in the 1970s, Cleaver toured the Soviet Union, Cuba, North Vietnam, and North Korea, and while incarcerated, studied the Communist Manifesto.) Cleaver's notes dovetail with the left-leaning ideology of the Black Panther Party.

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June 14, 2017 10:30 AM EDT
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