The Polynesian Panthers (1970s) 4K

The Polynesian Panther Party was founded in Auckland by six young Pacific Islanders: Paul Dapp, Will ’Ilolahia, Vaughan Sanft, Fred Schmidt, Nooroa Teavae and Eddie Williams. The group included Samoans, Tongans, Cook Islanders, and a few Māori. Many were university students. Their headquarters were in Ponsonby, then the heart of the Auckland Pacific Island community.
The Polynesian Panthers’ influence grew throughout the 1970s, and chapters were set up in South Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Sydney. They were inspired by the Black Panther Party and made direct comparisons between the oppression of African Americans in the United States and the discrimination and marginalisation faced by Polynesians in New Zealand. Their platform was based on freedom through self-determination. They began by organising homework centres, tenancy support groups, and community shows to build a reputation for respectability. The Polynesian Panthers’ campaign against the dawn raids by police looking for people whose presence in the country was illegal remains one of the most potent examples of their party’s platform in action.
The spirit of the Panthers lives on in those who were part of the movement (‘Once a Panther always a Panther’). Melani Anae credits the group with empowering her and framing her values, especially an emphasis on education ‘as the tool that will lead us out of oppression and darkness and into the light.’ The Panther legacy continues with the Panthers’ Rap in Schools program, which began in the early 2000s. In recent years, this has led to a new three-point platform: #documentary #history #nz #samoa #polynesian #blackpanthers #māori #polynesianpanthers

[@SamoaMediaNZ]

Watch Crooked Earth - NZ FILM. Link Below
ua-cam.com/video/zsesrZvO2co/v-deo.html

[@kimokealawaiole1394]

Witnessed the impact of the BPP in the 60's in California as a Black/Poly child - not knowing of the PPP until now. Both gave the oppressed and marginalized a voice which echoes still today. Thank you for sharing this valuable knowledge!

[@ropativ7483]

*This is empowering. The journey towards becoming a more equitable society, where racial and social fairness, tolerance and sharing were a fight worth having for generational harmony. This is part of the NZ history that should be taught in schools.*

[@Alipac463]

POWER TO THE PEOPLE

[@jezshaddup]

Amazing documentary👏🏽Never have watched this before

[@johngraham5948]

You've got to be proud of those who stood up for social justice and change and its ongoing its just a lot more subtle like trying to change the Treaty

[@TheBigUSO-ROB]

🙏🏽

[@greylynnjr]

I live in greylynn still.

[@jayxknight]

chur

[@BEVERLYPRINCESS90210]

Poly panthers 🤦‍♂️🤣

[@thespot5722]

😂

[@wqiinu]

Yes the poly panthers and what the fuck about it

[@sittingonafrootloop3940]

Very good. You're not illiterate!

[@paul5434]

Power to the People ATUA Bless You All ♥️ Maori 🚼 Jeebus 🙏