huey p. newton:

“we recognized that in order to bring the people to the level of consciousness where they would seize the time, it would be necessary to serve their interests in survival by developing programs which would help them to meet their daily needs.”

“now we not only have a breakfast program for schoolchildren, we have clothing programs, we have health clinics which provide free medical and dental services, we have programs for prisoners and their families, and we are opening clothing & shoe factories to provide for more...”

“...of the needs of the community. most recently we have begun a testing and research program on sickle-cell anemia, and we know that 98 percent of the victims of this disease are black. to fail to combat this disease is to submit to genocide; to battle it is survival.”

“all these programs satisfy the deep needs of the community but they are not solutions to our problems. that is why we call them survival problems, meaning survival pending revolution.”

“we say that the survival program of the black panthers party is like the survival kit of a sailor stranded on a raft. it helps him to sustain himself until he can get completely out of that situation.”

“so the survival programs are more answers or solutions, but they will help us to organize the community around a true analysis and understanding of their situation.”

“when consciousness and understanding is raised to a high level, then the community will seize the time and deliver themselves from the boot of their oppressors.”