November 15, 2011 • Category: Blog, Excerpts, Promotions
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We’re excited to give you an early look at Panther Baby, Jamal Joseph’s gripping memoir about coming of age within the Black Panther movement, publishing February 7, 2012.
About the Book:
Eddie Joseph was a high school honor student, slated to graduate early and begin college. But this was the late 1960s in Bronx’s black ghetto, and fifteen-year-old Eddie was introduced to the tenets of the Black Panther Party, which was just gaining a national foothold. By sixteen, his devotion to the cause landed him in prison on the infamous Rikers Island—charged with conspiracy as one of the Panther 21 in one of the most emblematic criminal cases of the sixties. When exonerated, Eddie—now called Jamal—became the youngest spokesperson and leader of the Panthers’ New York chapter. He joined the “revolutionary underground,” later landing back in prison.
Sentenced to more than twelve years in Leavenworth, he earned three degrees there and found a new calling. He is now chair of Columbia University’s School of the Arts film division—the very school he exhorted students to burn down during one of his most famous speeches as a Panther. In raw, powerful prose, Jamal Joseph helps us understand what it meant to be a soldier inside the militant Black Panther movement. He recounts a harrowing, sometimes deadly imprisonment as he charts his path to manhood in a book filled with equal parts rage, despair, and hope.
About the Author:
Orphan, activist, subversive, urban guerrilla, the FBI’s most wanted fugitive, drug addict, drug counselor, convict, writer, poet, filmmaker, father, professor, youth advocate, and Oscar nominee Jamal Joseph lives with his wife and family in New York City.
Tags: Black Panther Party, Black Panthers, Jamal Joseph, Panther Baby
Ray Rodriguez says...
I was a martial arts student of Jamal in the 70′s. He was a black belt with the Black Cipher Academy of Martial Arts science. He was a good brother. Good luck, Jamal.
April 22, 2013@ 1:49 PMVelvet says...
Greetings,
I just wanted to say that I am reading “Panther Baby” and I am enthralled!!! I have a co-worker that was familiar with Mr. Joseph while he was a student at Columbia when Mr. Joseph was teaching a class.
I wanted to let Mr. Joseph know that I am thoroughly enjoying this read and want to commend him on his journey. Thanx for being in the struggle.
Velvet J. Sanchez
March 12, 2012@ 1:50 PMvjs1964@gmail.com
Nell Cole says...
I am reading the book now and it is so interesting. Anyone from any movement should be able to identify the common fight for humanity in a world who will kill you just for being you. I can’t wait to see what happens next in the book.
Also check out all the great youtube videos as you learn the names of this Freedom fighters.
I would love to interview him for my show.
February 15, 2012@ 7:26 PMBruce S. Morgan says...
An amazing journey brother. The sad thing is there are hundreds of stories just like yours that don’t get told. All we hear about is the negative. It’s stories such as yours that makes me all the more committed to ensure legacies such as yours live on. We must give our youth hope and direction. We must give our seniors a sense of comfort that their struggle has not been in vain. You inspire. Thank you!
January 16, 2012@ 10:48 PM