Zapantera Negra: An Artistic Encounter Between Black Panthers and Zapatistas, New & Updated Edition

Zapantera Negra is a powerful documentary that presents interviews, militant artwork, and original documents from two movements that struggle for dignity and liberation. It explores the role of revolutionary art in times of distress and unites the bold aesthetics, revolutionary dreams, and dignified declarations of these two movements.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 19 May 2022
Publisher: Common Notions

A powerful elixir of hope and determination, Zapantera Negra presents a galvanizing presentation of interviews, militant artwork, and original documents from two movements struggle for dignity and liberation. When Emory Douglas, former Minister of Culture of the Black Panther Party, accepted an invitation from the art collective EDELO and Rigo 23 to meet with autonomous Indigenous and Zapatista communities in Chiapas, Mexico, they explored the role of revolutionary art in times of distress. Zapantera Negra is the result of their encounter. It unites the bold aesthetics, revolutionary dreams, and dignified declarations of two leading movements that redefine emancipatory politics in the twentieth and twenty-first century.

The artists of the Black Panthers and the Zapatistas were born into a centuries-long struggle against racial capitalism and colonialism, state repression and international war and plunder. Not only did these two movements offer the world an enduring image of freedom and dignified rebellion, they did so with rebellious style, putting culture and aesthetics at the forefront of political life.

The Black Panther Party, founded in 1966 by Bobby Seale and Huey Newton, was a political organization that aimed to protect Black communities from police brutality and systemic racism. The party's ideology was rooted in Marxism-Leninism and Black nationalism, and it was known for its militant stance and its use of armed self-defense to protect its members and the community.

One of the most iconic symbols of the Black Panther Party was its logo, which featured a black panther holding a rifle and a fist in the air. The logo was designed by Emory Douglas, who was also the party's Minister of Culture. The black panther was a symbol of strength and resilience, and it was used to represent the struggle against oppression and exploitation.

The Black Panther Party also played a significant role in the civil rights movement. In the 1960s, the party was involved in a number of protests and demonstrations, including the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and the Selma to Montgomery marches. The party's leaders, including Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, were frequent guests at Black Panther Party events, and the party's ideology influenced the movement's goals and strategies.

The Zapatistas, on the other hand, are a group of Indigenous communities in Chiapas, Mexico, that have been fighting for autonomy and self-determination since the late 1990s. The Zapatistas are known for their use of armed resistance and their rejection of capitalist and colonialist systems.

The Zapatistas' ideology is rooted in the concept of "autonomy," which they believe is essential for the survival and well-being of Indigenous communities. The Zapatistas believe that the Mexican government has violated their rights and has taken advantage of their land and resources for its own benefit. They have organized a number of protests and strikes, including the 1994 Zapatista uprising and the 2014 Chiapas uprising.

One of the most iconic symbols of the Zapatistas is the "Chiapas flag," which features a black eagle on a red background. The flag was designed by Subcomandante Marcos, who is the leader of the Zapatista movement. The black eagle is a symbol of strength and freedom, and it is used to represent the struggle against oppression and exploitation.

The Zapatistas have also developed a number of alternative economic and social systems that they believe are more sustainable and equitable than the capitalist and colonialist systems that dominate the world. These systems include communal land ownership, direct democracy, and a system of education and healthcare that is based on the needs of the community.

In conclusion, Zapantera Negra is a powerful and inspiring documentary that explores the role of revolutionary art in times of distress. The film presents a compelling portrait of two leading movements that redefine emancipatory politics in the twentieth and twenty-first century. The artists of the Black Panthers and the Zapatistas were born into a centuries-long struggle against racial capitalism and colonialism, state repression and international war and plunder. Not only did these two movements offer the world an enduring image of freedom and dignified rebellion, they did so with rebellious style, putting culture and aesthetics at the forefront of political life. Zapantera Negra is a testament to the power of art and activism to inspire and transform the world.

Weight: 330g
Dimension: 152 x 226 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781942173557
Edition number: 2 New edition