Capt. Reggie Schell: Black Panther
(1941-2012)
[5/11/12]
© '12 Mumia Abu-Jamal
He was born Richard
Reginald Schell, but most people knew him as Reggie, and those who worked with
him called him "Cap"--short for Captain, the rank he held in the Philadelphia
Branch of the Black Panther Party. He was a patient and wise teacher, and looked
out for younger Panthers (Including this writer).
He wasn't the first,
nor the last captain in Philadelphia, but his tenure marked the expansion of the
local office, from one storefront on the old Columbia Ave. (now Cecil B. Moore
Ave.) to at least 5 offices citywide.
His term of office
was one of conflict and confrontation, and during the Rizzo years (under former
police commissioner and late city mayor, Frank L. Rizzo) that conflict turned into
a shooting
war.
He built the local
chapter into an office that was the pride of the state--and the bane of the State.
It was late summer, 1970, when city police attacked local Black Panther offices
in North Philly, West Philly and Germantown in the wee morning hours.
Panthers shot back.
Panthers were busted
citywide, just as BPP offices were raided nationally.
The city raids
were designed to deter people from attending the Revolutionary Peoples Constitutional
Convention (RPCC), when people, mostly activists, would gather together to write
a new revolutionary constitution for a new, revolutionary America.
The raids backfired,
for afterwards, support came from all quarters, even those which had previously
avoided the Panthers.
But even after the
dissolution of the Party, Reggie continued his work by founding the Black United
Liberation Front (BULF) composed mostly of local ex-Panthers. The issues were the
same, protecting and defending the rights of Black people. Fighting against police
brutality, for decent housing, and against the Prison-Industrial-Complex.
He worked closely
with any group or individual
who could help, and had a close and personal working relationship with the late
North Phila.-based cleric, Father Paul Washington, long-time rector of the Church
of the Advocate.
In later years, even
when under the ravages of kidney disease so serious it required weekly dialysis,
Reggie Schell was at his post, ignoring his pain, passing out leaflets on C. B.
Moore Ave., or painting signs of protest for passersby.
Above all things,
he loved Black people.
He died as he lived--as
a revolutionary, relentless, determined, straight ahead.
Reggie Schell returned to his ancestors on the early hours
of May 9, 2012. He was 2 months shy of his 71st birthday.
He is survived by his 4 adult children, Dessalina, Leslie,
Marcus and Richard Reginald. He had a dozen grand-children and ½ a dozen great-grands.
Reggie Schell--Capt., Black Panther Party; Founder, Black
United Liberation Front; revolutionary--soldier for the Black Nation--will be long
remembered!
All Power to the People!
(c) '12 maj