Mr. Emory Douglas was the Minister of Culture of the Black Panther Party from 1967 until the group fazed out in the 1980's. During this time Mr. Douglas was the well known graphic design artist that ignited the famous posters of the Black Panthers. The New Museum put a great collection of posters that Mr. Douglas produced. the film captures the present day Black Panthers talking about the images and major players in the party. The reoccurring theme is the vast amount of social programs that the Black Panther Party provided for the black communities around the country. Do you know the Black Panther Party was the first organization to sign on and commit to sponsoring the Gay Movement in 1969? I was quite impress with many of their service programs designed to feed and educate children in many of our inner cities. The museum itself is kind of sterile and the presentation was flat but effective. Also, the powerful black women who served numerous roles in the movement was incredible to see. Fashion played a huge part in the look and feel of this organization. These images of militant chic was commonplace in his work before the fashion and style communities picked up on the relevant fashion choices of the members of this party. I call them Style Icons, the after thought of this group imposing a fashion point of view before their time, was somewhat of a coupe. Mr. Douglas work has travelled the world and is now on view at the Newsmuseum here in New York City until October 2009.
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