Final answer:
The Black Panther Party responded to police brutality by arming themselves for self-defense, patrolling African American neighborhoods, and engaging in confrontations with the police. They also established community programs like free breakfasts for children and promoted broader socioeconomic reforms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Black Panther Party was established by Bobby Seale and Huey P. Newton in 1966 largely as a response to police brutality towards African Americans. The Panthers promoted armed self-defense, and members patrolled African American neighborhoods to offer protection from police violence. They were knowledgeable about the Second Amendment and local gun laws, and they cultivated an overtly militant identity. Alongside their self-defense efforts, the Panthers implemented community service programs such as free breakfast for children, paving the way for federal breakfast programs, which emphasized the importance of black pride and education. Their stance often led to confrontations with law enforcement, including arrests and shootouts. Despite negative perceptions and aggressive law enforcement responses, including COINTELPRO, the Black Panther Party also championed socioeconomic reforms and healthcare, reflective of their broader anti-capitalism and anti-racism mission.