“Judas and the Black Messiah,” featuring LaKeith Stanfield and Daniel Kaluuya, was initially set for release in August 2020, a time when its themes resonated profoundly with ongoing social movements. This film is a groundbreaking portrayal of the Black Panther Party, a significant political organization established during the 1960s. Kaluuya plays Fred Hampton, the Chairman of the Chicago chapter, a young leader tragically murdered by the government during his peak influence. Stanfield portrays William O’Neal, who betrays Hampton and the Panthers, directly contributing to Hampton’s demise.
While the film centers on Hampton, it primarily explores O’Neal’s narrative, shedding light on the FBI’s relentless pursuit to eliminate Hampton. O’Neal, a career criminal masquerading as an FBI agent to steal cars, agrees to infiltrate the Black Panther Party to evade prison. After watching the film, one might wonder if jail would have been the better option for him. He ingratiates himself with Hampton, using an FBI-issued vehicle to transport party members. His allegiance is questioned at first, but he quickly earns their trust. The film leaves viewers uncertain about whether O’Neal ever truly believed in the Party’s mission.
I am not particularly religious, but I understand the concept of betrayal—especially the biblical story of Judas Iscariot. The film effectively frames O’Neal as the Judas to Hampton’s Jesus, gaining Hampton’s trust only to lead him to his executioners. Instead of a kiss, he provides the FBI with a blueprint of Hampton’s apartment before making a swift escape as police storm in, resulting in Hampton’s assassination while he sleeps.
For those unfamiliar with this historical episode, “Judas and the Black Messiah” poses a critical question: Who was Fred Hampton, and why did FBI director J. Edgar Hoover label him “the greatest threat to the internal security of the country?” The narrative often highlights figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X when discussing the Civil Rights Movement, but many other influential leaders emerged. The Black Panther Party sought more than mere equality; they aimed to empower and uplift the Black community. They implemented programs like free breakfasts and healthcare, addressing community needs actively rather than preaching from afar.
Hampton was not only intelligent but also a charismatic speaker. Joining the BPP at 20, he quickly rose to prominence, captivating audiences with his eloquence and passion. This ability to mobilize people made him a target for the FBI. The film intersperses scenes of Hampton and the BPP with footage of Hoover and the agents monitoring them, illustrating the government’s perception of the Panthers as a terrorist threat. The FBI’s COINTELPRO initiative aimed to dismantle radical organizations by infiltrating them, using informants like O’Neal to neutralize key figures.
Despite efforts to arrest Hampton, Hoover’s obsession continued. In a pivotal scene, he confronts agents, expressing his determination to see Hampton dead. He even invokes a personal scenario regarding his daughter’s potential relationships, emphasizing the lengths to which the FBI would go to eliminate perceived threats.
On December 4, 1969, a raid by 14 armed Chicago police officers resulted in a hail of gunfire at Hampton’s apartment. While many were injured, only two—Fred Hampton and Mark Clark—were killed. Drugged by O’Neal to ensure he wouldn’t wake, Hampton was murdered in his sleep beside his pregnant fiancée, Deborah Johnson. The chilling scene poignantly captures the horror of that night, especially through Johnson’s stoic performance, even as she faces a gunman. Hampton was only 21 and would never meet his son.
“Judas and the Black Messiah” meticulously recounts the events surrounding O’Neal’s betrayal. The film portrays him as a wholly unsympathetic character, eliciting no sympathy from viewers. In a closing clip, the real O’Neal attempts to rationalize his actions in his only interview for the documentary Eyes on the Prize 2, revealing that he died by suicide the day it aired. The film’s depiction of Hampton and the Black Panther Party is compelling, enriched by insights from Hampton’s widow and son, ensuring his legacy is honored.
This film should inspire viewers to delve deeper into the history of the Black Panthers, who played an essential role in ongoing struggles against systemic racism and police brutality. Fred Hampton, like other pivotal figures in the fight for Black empowerment, deserves to be remembered, and “Judas and the Black Messiah” offers a vital starting point for this exploration.
You can watch “Judas and the Black Messiah” streaming on HBO Max until March 14th.
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Summary:
“Judas and the Black Messiah” is a compelling film that sheds light on the life and legacy of Fred Hampton, the Chairman of the Chicago chapter of the Black Panther Party, and the betrayal by William O’Neal. Through its gripping narrative, the film highlights the relentless pursuit of Hampton by the FBI and the broader context of the Black Panthers’ mission. It serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing struggles for racial justice and empowerment, making it essential viewing for anyone seeking to understand this pivotal moment in history.
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