The Black Panthers set example for thousands of African Americans. The Panthers set the example of self defense against police brutality. Their violence brought attention to their party and lead people to want to know what they were about. Many young teens and kids dressed like the panthers and wanted to be like them. They were like the big brothers of the African American community. Oakland Community School was opened for school children, under the parties influence, to learn about their ancestors and the good things their black history has done.  The panthers taught young kids to embrace their dark skin and nappy hair. These kids were also taught that their egyptian ancestors were the first to practice mathematics, and that African American inventors helped shape American history.