Douglas was minister of culture for the Black Panther Party from 1967 until it disbanded in the 1980s. An exhibition of his work, “Black Panther: Emory Douglas and the Art of Revolution”, is at Urbis, Manchester, from 30 October. Details: http://www.urbis.org.uk
- 1 Does art make a difference?
- 2 Should politics and art mix?
- 3 Is your work for the many or for the few?
- 4 If you were world leader, what would
be your first law? - 5 Who would be your top advisers?
- 6What, if anything, would you censor?
- 7 If you had to banish one public figure, who would it be?
- 8 What are the rules that you live by?
- 9 Do you love your country?
- 10 Are we all doomed?
Yes. When I started out as an artist in the Sixties my work was designed to communicate directly with people and to reflect the day-to-day issues faced by black citizens.
Art has always been a manifestation of politics and society. There is no separation between the individual and the political, because politics is about people, whatever your alliances or principles.
My work was and is for the many. It first appeared in the Black Panther Party newspaper. I’d much rather see a thousand posters of my work than one piece of art hanging in a gallery.
I would apologise for slavery. Then I would try to improve the prospects for the unemployed, resolve the housing crisis, build a better infrastructure and make health care affordable.
Nelson Mandela, Kathleen Cleaver of the Black Panther Party and former congresswoman Cynthia McKinney from Atlanta, Georgia.of the past and hope for the future.
Nothing. When the book about my work was sent to one of the Black Panther members who is incarcerated, the administration banned it from the prison, claiming it was revolutionary literature.
George Bush, or Dick Cheney. They are violating the rights of the US people, and they were illegitimately voted in anyway.
Treat people the way you want to be treated. I don’t smoke or drink and I eat good food.
It’s not my country: I don’t own it, I just live there. We’re part of one world. So, no, I don’t love my country or my country folk more than anyone or anywhere else.
I’m a hopeful person, I don’t think we’re doomed – but climate change is a big issue.
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