The article was split into two parts, first a description of what psychosurgery is and its past use on animal and human subjects. The second portion of the article consists of how more contemporary uses of psychosurgery in the 1970s had been used against Black and other marginalized populations, especially those engaged in revolutionary action. 

Structure of "Tearing Out Our Thoughts: Psychosurgery and the Black Community"

Schalk makes particular note of how the word psychosurgery was not used until "Tearing Out Our Thoughts: Psychosurgery and the Black Community," I have two thoughts as to why this is. 

Use of the Word 'Psychosurgery'

"Tearing Out Our Thoughts: Psychosurgery and the Black Community" published on January 6, 1973 in The Black Panther was the first article published by the paper to use the word psychosurgery.

University of Wisconsin - Madison

- Articles Putting Pressure on Vacaville
- David Hilliard Autobiography
- "Tearing Out Our Thoughts: Psychosurgery and the Black Community"
- California State Senate Hearings
- Stories Run Concurrently with 504 Sit-In

Black Panther Party Fight Against Return of Psychosurgery

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

Black Disability Politics

In 1971 when "Vacaville-America's Headquarters for Medical Genocide" appeared in the Black Panther, it was found that doctors from Vacaville's Psychiatric Diagnosis Unit applied for federal funds for a psychosurgery program. The plan was to use psychosurgery against prisoners that psychiatrists deemed to be "biologically violent." This application was met with mainstream alarm over the potential for abuse in psychosurgery. 

Vacaville Medical Facility's Use of Psychosurgery

David Hilliard - former Chief of Staff of the Black Panther Party - was also imprisoned at Vacaville and later went on to detail this experience in his 1993 autobiography "This Side of Glory."

David Hilliard

"Tearing Out Our Thoughts: Psychosurgery and the Black Community"

In 1973 the Black Panther Party addressed the California State Senate, with representation from lawyer Fred J. Hiestand, about their opposition to the Center for the Study and Reduction of Violence at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Black Panther Party Testimony to the California State Senate

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.

Black Panther 1977 articles about Psychosurgery

- Centering of Disabled People of Color
- Critical Stance Towards Medical Professionals
- Not Distancing Blackness from Disability
- Critique of the Black Panther's Coverage

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