Bobby Seale and Huey P. Newton cofounded the Black Panther Party for Self Defense in Oakland, California in 1966. They understood food as part of a system of production, distribution, and consumption and controlling your food system is a successful strategy for economic and political independence and for resisting and undermining hostile oppressive forces such as members of the dominate European supremacist caste who attempt to control you and your community. At the time the images and messages around them as members of the US lower caste had been clear, elites among the dominant class controlled national and local political power and public policy such as the water and food system. And other than token representation, the dominant caste shut members of the lower caste out of the political process and public policy decision-making bodies and ignored their demands to have the civil rights protected and have access to nutrient rich food, clean water, healthy affordable housing, and control over public spaces in their communities.. As seen in its 10 point platform, which called for bread for all people, among other things, Seale and Newton created a party and programs to meet lower caste needs and called for people to organize and end unfettered capitalism that used the sale of inferior food at high prices to exploit people living in impoverished communities.
