The man who co-founded the Black Panther Party more than 40 years ago is still rabble-rousing. But nowadays, Bobby Seale is not only venting verbiage at "The Man" or "the system" or crooked politicians that conspire to keep the masses down.
Among his recent targets are those who exploit and undermine the fine art of -- get this -- barbecuing. Consider this verbose Barbecue Bill of Rights that's posted on Seale's barbecuing Web site, bobbyqueseale.com:
"When in the course of human development it becomes necessary for us, the citizens of the earth, to creatively improve the culinary art of barbe-que'n in our opposition to the overly commercialized bondage of 'cue-be-rab' (barbecuing backwards) ... we the people declare a basic barbeque bill of rights which impels us to help halt, eradicate, and ultimately stamp out 'cue-be-rab!' [bad barbecue]."
Don't laugh. Seale's passion for fine barbecue dates to the turbulent 1960s, when he and other members of the controversial civil rights group drew masses to their rallies by offering mouthwatering morsels. He has since turned his culinary craft into a pastime.
His cookbook, Barbeque'n with Bobby Seale (Ten Speed Press, 1988), sold 33,000 copies; it's currently out of print. His Web site offers a self-produced video on barbecuing as well as recipes for salmon steaks, barbecue chicken and baste marinade.
And Seale's not the only former Panther that's dabbling in foodstuffs. David Hilliard, the Black Panther former chief of staff, has created a hot sauce called Burn Baby Burn, using a chant that became a rallying cry during the 1965 Watts Riots. He's billed his "revolutionary hot sauce" as the "taste of the '60s."
Hilliard and Seale, both of whom are still involved in activism and public speaking, are using their Black Panther notoriety as hooks for products they hope will spur economic windfall and prompt others in African-American communities to come up with creative methods of enterprise.
"I launched the hot sauce about five years ago as a fundraiser for children's programs in Oakland," said Hilliard. The idea for the sauce came from Fredrika Newton, widow of former Black Panther co-founder Huey Newton.
Once his culinary venture took shape, Hilliard obtained trademark rights to use the phrase "Burn, Baby, Burn," which originated from former popular Los Angeles-area radio disc jockey Magnificent Montague as a lead-in to chart-topping records.
Hilliard, who directs the activities of the Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation (a community-based nonprofit), says that proceeds from the sales of the hot sauce "boost our efforts to fund anti-violence and educational programs for our youth."
Those interested in purchasing the hot sauce can e-mail him at blackpanther.org. The sauce costs $3.25 per bottle.
"It's not inconsistent with the Black Panther Party," said Hilliard of his venture. "We always marketed our images through sales of clothes, buttons and publications. We even owned a nightclub in Oakland. We've always been about the business of self-sufficiency."
Some detractors -- including former Panthers -- have accused them of exploiting the group's legacy.
"There are some other party members who aren't happy; they believe that's cashing in on the party's history and distorting the party's history," said Sherry Brown of Washington, who once ran the Black Panther's Baltimore chapter.
But nothing has deterred Hilliard or Seale from taking a stand for economic empowerment.
"Some people have been critical, saying it was capitalist-motivated, which is true," said Hilliard. "I have no qualms about the fact that we are in the business to market a product and drive a profit for it."
Seale agreed. He said that the BPP regularly served cooked meals for money to support their efforts. The popular meals were an impetus for the BPP's free breakfast programs for school-age children.
"All throughout the Black Panther Party, I fed the troops," said Seale, who began barbecuing as young as 11, while working in his uncle's barbecue restaurant in Jasper, Texas.
"We used to have barbecue fundraisers in California where 5,000 people would come out," said Seale, "and we would sell up to 3,000 plate dinners for $2 to $3. We would have rallies that took up two square blocks, with musicians and speakers, and I would supervise the barbecuing."
Seale said he considered pursuing his barbecuing venture in the late 1970s, while he pondered ways of raising money for community-based programs. He later heard that former actress and activist Jane Fonda was donating sales of her popular exercise book to such programs.
"I thought that if Jane Fonda could to that, why don't I write a cookbook?" he said. An extensive touring schedule during Black History Month will delay work on the revised edition, which Seale said he hopes to release in time for the holiday season. He also has plans for a cooking DVD that will include healthy grilling.
Seale and Hilliard are seeking to capitalize on a newfound interest in the Black Panther Party, buoyed by events such as the Black Panther Rank and File national touring exhibit, which was featured at the Maryland Institute College of Art in November and December.
"I think time heals all things; it's been 40 years," said Hilliard. "People are now looking at the organization for its merits and the community programs we put in effect."
And while some may take exception to their efforts, Brown wishes his former Panther comrades well. "I don't have a problem with it," he said, "because everyone has to be able to make a living."
See the exhibit "The Black Panthers: Making Sense of History," photographs by Stephen Shames, at the Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery, on the campus of University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, through March 24. Hours are 12 p.m.-4 :30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 12 p.m.-8 p.m. Thursday; and 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The photographer will participate in a gallery talk at 4 p.m. Feb. 20. Information: 410-455-2270.
joseph.burris@baltsun.com