I am a revolutionary : Fred Hampton speaks

‘I believe I’m going to die doing the things I was born to do.

I believe I’m going to die high off the people. I believe I’m going to die a revolutionary’ – Fred HamptonFred Hampton was one of the most promising Black radical leaders of the 20th century.

As Deputy Chairman of the Black Panthers, his speeches reverberated through Chicago and across America during the movement for Black liberation in the 1960s.

But his talents brought him to the attention of the FBI, who assassinated him at his home, aged only 21. This is the first time these breathtaking speeches have appeared in print.

Hampton’s deeply radical rhetoric leaps from the page, showcasing his unique ability to weave together the dual oppressions of race and class with flair, and foregrounding his commitment to the solidarity of revolutionary internationalism.