The Black Panther Party existed from 1966 to 1982, but in that relatively short existence, the party gained national prominence and international stature.

In Showdown in Desire, journalist Orissa Arend chronicles the rise of the New Orleans Black Panther Party and the chronology of events that occurred in the streets of the Crescent City.  Arend made extensive use of oral histories, which she refused to abbreviate, censor or interpret.  She recorded interviews about the shootout between the police and the Black Panthers on Piety Street, a street on the outside of the largest, poorest housing developments in New Orleans: Desire. 

Arend archived the interviews that she had with key public officials, such as the mayor and police chief at the time of the Black Panthers.  She also included interviews with two black undercover police officers, who infiltrated the New Orleans chapter by posing as party members.

The Party was accepted by residents partly due to the chapter's methods of community activism through liberation schools, free health services, free breakfast programs and political education classes.
Arend has published a pamphlet of some of the oral histories she recorded in Showdown in Desire.

Office of University Relations, University of Arkansas • 800 Hotz Hall, Fayetteville Arkansas, 72701

479-575-5555 • 479-575-4745 (fax)