Black Panther Woman

"Black Panther Woman: The Political and Spiritual Life of Erika Huggins" by Mary Frances Phillips is a powerful biography that explores the life and legacy of Ericka Huggins, a prominent member of the Black Panther Party. As a queer Black woman, Huggins introduced spiritual self-care practices to the Black Panther Party, significantly influencing the movement's approach to wellness and mental health. This biography provides an in-depth exploration of Huggins’s multifaceted roles as a mother, widow, educator, poet, and former political prisoner. Phillips skillfully brings to light Huggins’s ordeal, from her arrest in 1969 along with Bobby Seale to the harrowing experience of political persecution under the FBI's COINTELPRO plot. Through the use of previously unseen archival materials, Phillips paints a vivid picture of Huggins’s enduring commitment to self-care and community care during her incarceration and beyond.

Phillips’s work transcends traditional narratives centered on male figures in the Black Panther Party, offering an innovative analysis of Black political life that intersects with gender, motherhood, and mass incarceration. The biography underscores the vital role of spiritual care in Huggins’s journey. I enjoyed reading about 'The Sister Love Collective' - the feminist collective Ericka co-founded to help women survive the daily evils of prison. This text amplifies how she utilized meditation and other practices to navigate and survive the oppressive conditions of prison life. "Black Panther Woman" serves as an essential toolkit for contemporary activists, demonstrating the power of operating with a love ethic and the importance of strategies for thriving in adversity with community care at the center. Phillips's meticulous research and compelling storytelling make this biography not only a tribute to Huggins’s remarkable life but also a profound testament to the powerful significance of self-care and community support in the struggle for justice and equality. Thank you to the author and publisher for the e-arc copy!

I have been enjoying reading about the members of the Black Panther. History tends to minimize their impact and downplay who they were and what they represent. Propaganda to be exact. I have always heard about Huey Newton and Eldridge Cleaver when the topic of Black Panthers come up. So I took it upon myself to do my own research and I found Assata and Ericka Huggins and I’m glad I did. The women’s roles are so downplayed. What Ericka stood for and what she fought for despite everything in her personal life was very admirable. Hats off to her.

This was such an impactful read, I didn't realize how many missing stories and opinions we have yet to see from the Black Panthers. This group was so multifaceted and getting even a glimpse into what this was like felt surreal.

The first biography of Ericka Huggins, a queer Black woman who brought spiritual self-care practices to the Black Panther Party.

In this groundbreaking biography, Mary Frances Phillips immerses readers in the life and legacy of Ericka Huggins, a revered Black Panther Party member, as well as a mother, widow, educator, poet, and former political prisoner. In 1969, the police arrested Ericka Huggins along with Bobby Seale and fellow Black Panther Party members, who were accused of murdering Alex Rackley. This marked the beginning of her ordeal, as she became the subject of political persecution and a well-planned FBI COINTELPRO plot.

Drawing on never-before-seen archival sources, including prison records, unpublished letters, photographs, FBI records, and oral histories, Phillips foregrounds the paramount role of self-care and community care in Huggins’s political journey, shedding light on Ericka’s use of spiritual wellness practices she developed during her incarceration. In prison, Huggins was able to survive the repression and terror she faced while navigating motherhood through her unwavering commitment to spiritual practices. In showcasing this history, Phillips reveals the significance of spiritual wellness in the Black Panther Party and Black Power movement.

Transcending the traditional male-centric study of the Black Panther Party, Black Panther Woman offers an innovative analysis of Black political life at the intersections of gender, motherhood, and mass incarceration. This book serves as an invaluable toolkit for contemporary activists, underscoring the power of radical acts of care as well as vital strategies to thrive in the world.

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This narrative was crafted about the right individual, by the right individual, at the perfect moment. In an era marked by "joyful warriors" and gendered oppression, Huggins, through Phillips, presents a praxis from which Black women, femmes, and nonbinary individuals across all races and creeds can draw insight. The chapter on the "Sister Love" Collective particularly resonated with me, highlighting the mutual aid and philanthropy they extended to one another during incarceration. I would suggest this book to those interested in American history, the American penal system, feminism, womanism, spiritual practices, Black philanthropy, and the Black Panther Party. This scholarship offers valuable lessons on transitioning from merely surviving to truly thriving.

The phrase "bad-ass woman" is redundant, though I will say, this series on the BP women is next level!
Personally, I would have preferred a bit more sub-text and personal stories. I assume the authors and editors have kept these books intentionally fact-based and a tad boring because of prevalent biases towards women, black women, etc.
This biography weaves a powerful story of Huggins' life incorporating relevant details from her personal and professional life as leader of the BP as well as significant events happening around the world and the larger context.