The path ahead is uncertain, but perhaps we might be afforded some clarity by first looking to the past. After all, the systemic health injustice we grapple with today is not unprecedented—and neither is the kind of action we need in order for things to change. The Black Panther Party and Free Breakfast for ChildrenMentions of the Black Panther Party (BPP) do not typically call to mind images of its members in grocery stores. The Black Panther Party was established in 1966 in direct response to police brutality in Oakland, California and the broader plight of oppression towards Black Americans. The Young Lords’ accomplishments through Lincoln Detox continue to serve as an example for similar action today.

Source: International New York Times January 15, 2026 15:50 UTC