Which radical group wore uniforms and a military posture to protest police brutality in black neighborhoods?

• A. SNCC
• B. NAACP
• C. Nation of Islam
• D. Black Panthers

Answer: (D)

Militant self-defense and a clearly organized, uniformed presence defined this approach to protesting police brutality in Black neighborhoods. The group that fit this description became famous for donning uniforms—black berets, leather jackets, and a disciplined, military-like stance—and for conducting armed patrols to monitor police activity and protect Black residents. This visible, paramilitary posture reflected a shift in some segments of the Movement toward asserting rights and safety through self-defense, rather than solely through nonviolent confrontation. In contrast, other organizations favored nonviolent tactics, legal challenges, or religious/nationalist frameworks without adopting the same militarized image of protest. The combination of uniforms, disciplined formations, and armed assertion is the hallmark that makes this group the Black Panthers.