The Black Panther party news coverage of the 504 sit-in focused on the oppressions, stereotypes and stigma faced by disabled people. This coverage of the 504 sit-in focusing of the societal and political barriers of disability rather than the medical or physical barriers introduced readers to the social model of disability.

The Social Model of Disability in the Black Panther

The Black Panther focused more on highlighting the Ford and Carter administrations' policy failures to implement section 504 which was a sharp difference from other national papers that mentioned the cost of implementation to provide a rational for the lack of implementation.

"The Black Panther's" Focus on Access over Costs

In addition to coverage of Black Disabled Panthers such as Brad Lomax, the Black Panther published an interview with Dennis Billups , a black blind man who was not a Panther who was features on the May 7th Cover of the Black Panther. The interview with Billups highlighted the BPP's want for more Black disabled involvement and inclusion in the Panther's work. 

Centering of Denis Phillips and Black Disabled Voices in Coverage

While the Black Panther's coverage of the 504 demonstration was a radical example of Black disability politics there was ableism in the Black Panthers coverage. For instance the Black Panther described the protesters as "inspiring" and "most poignant" these words often are associated with inspiration porn and are patronizing as based in narratives of overcoming disability. The Black Panther also stated that Brad Lomax was "victimized by multiple sclerosis." This presentation of Lomax's relationship with M.S. suggests that Lomax was only harmed and suffered  from M.S. rather than just being a person living with M.S.

Ableist Language in the Black Panther

Schalk argues that in order to truly understand the extent of the BPP's Black Disability Politics we have to look at how the Panthers engaged with disability less explicitly, for instance in the case of the Oakland Community School. By looking at instances where disability is engaged with less explicitly we see how Black Disability Politics is often constructed alongside and interwoven with concerns regarding racism, classism, and misyogny. We also must interpret engagement with disability by Black cultural workers within the historical, racial, and cultural context.

Less Explicit Disability Rhetoric and the Black Panther Party

- The Social Model of Disability and BPP Ideology
- "The Black Panther's" Focus on Access over Costs
- Centering of Dennis Billups and Black Disabled Voices
- Centering of Protesters
- "Double Jeopardy"
- Ableist Language in "The Black Panther"

University of Wisconsin - Madison

Three days after the start of the 504 Sit-In Michael Fultz the editor of "The Black Panther" wrote and delivered a press release from the Black Panther Party which stated the the BPP gave "its full support to Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act... the issue here is human rights ... further we deplore the treatment accorded to the occupants of the fourth floor and join them in full solidarity." This public endorsement of the protest by the BPP emphasized human rights, survival, and solidarity among oppressed groups. 

The Black Panther Party April 8, 1977 Press Release

Schalk, Sami. Black Disability Politics, New York, USA: Duke University Press, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1515/9781478027003

Black Disability Politics

Rhetoric from the Black Panther Party around the 504 Sit Ins

The Black Panther published their final articles on psychosurgery in 1977 - these articles, published concurrently with coverage of the 504 Sit-In, detailed the story of Lou Byers.

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