The Black Panther Party’s battles for social justice and economic equality are the centerpiece of the Oscar-nominated film ‘Judas and The Black Messiah.’ In 1968, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover said the Black Panther Party “without question, represents the greatest threat to internal security of the country.” And with that declaration he used United States federal law enforcement to wage war on the group. But why did Hoover’s FBI target the Black Panther Party more severely than any other Black power organization? Historian Donna Murch says the answer lies in the Panthers’ political agenda and a strategy that challenged the very foundations of American society.

If you would like to read more about the topic:

We love to hear from our listeners! Tweet at us @throughlineNPR, send us an email, or leave us a voicemail at (872) 588-8805.