Illustration of a yellow-colored raised fist with yellow text on a background that is half blue and half red.

Founded in 1966, the Black Panther Party was an African American revolutionary party that operated during the late 20th century. Originally based in Oakland, California, the organizations initial purpose was to patrol dominantly African American neighborhoods while armed in a means of protecting residents from acts of police brutality. As the organization further developed, community social programs such as free school breakfasts for children as well as the advancement of health clinics became prominent aspects of the parties priorities. Viewed by many as an organization that advocated violent tendencies, the Black Panthers endured a controversial existence. Deemed by FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover as "the greatest threat to the security to the internal security of the country", the Black Panthers faced numerous instances of backlash from its opponents.  Though disbanded in 1982, the organization remains an important and highly studies presence for its role in American society during the twentieth century.

Top-down illustration of honey bee with wings outstretched on a white background.  Blue text around top edge of button, red text superimposed on bee's wings.

The big black bees that can be seen around houses are many times identified as carpenter bees. These bees are often seen as a nuisance, as they are able to burrow into wood and can damage housing units. Due to this affinity for wood, they were named the carpenter. Because of their ability for destruction, many homeowners will opt to hire an exterminator to get rid of them. 

Carpenter bees should not be eliminated, as they are good for more than just destroying wood. Like other bees, they play an important part in maintaining the ecosystem. Carpenter bees are excellent pollinators. In economic terms, 29 billion dollars in revenue are made from plants, gardens, and crops. Fifteen percent of these plants are pollinated by carpenter bees. Thus to save both the world’s ecosystem and profits, carpenter bees should be spared. Many movements over the years with scientific and mathematic trends as the sources have advocated to save bees of all species classifications, not exclusively black bees.

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The Black Panther Party, originally called the Black Panther Party for Self Defense, was founded in Oakland, California, in 1966 following the 1965 assassination of Malcolm X. Party co-founders Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale based much of the organization’s philosophies on Malcolm X’s ideas including black nationalism and armed self-defense. By 1969 the party had launched multiple branches around the nation including in New York; however, Black Panther Party activity could have been taking place in Harlem, New York, as early as 1966. The Harlem branch was considered the central offices for the state, which eventually had branches in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Staten Island, Mt. Vernon, Corona-East Elmhurst, and Jamaica. Nationally, party activities slowed in the mid-1970s into the 1980s as Federal Bureau of Investigations Director J. Edgar Hoover devoted FBI resources to its end and leadership dissolved.

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Polio is a contagious viral disease that, at its worst, can cause paralysis or death. Thanks to the vaccination discovered in 1955, no new cases have been reported in the United States since 1979. Polio does, however, remain in northern Nigeria and on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Though polio is most commonly contracted by children, the disease struck future president Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1929 at age 39, paralyzing his legs. While the public was not totally unaware of the President's condition, he still did his best to avoid being photographed or seen publicly in a wheel chair. 

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"Outlaw guns" is likely referring to gun control in the United States. Gun control is any legal measure intended to restrict the use of guns. U.S. citizens argued that limiting gun access will save lives and reduce crimes. Although the meaning of this button is to ban the use of firearms, gun control has been an ongoing debatable topic, with concerns regarding the Second Amendment of the United States that people have the right to “keep and bear arms.” Other controversial issues include increased gun violence. Although it’s impossible to ban the use of guns, people can advocate reducing gun violence by campaigning for strict regulations on firearm possession.

Illustration of raised fist inside a white circle.  White text on black outer ring.

In October 1967 during the nationwide Stop the Draft Week campaign, more than 200 people protesting the Vietnam War draft blocked the entrance of the Oakland Induction Center in California. Law enforcement arrested 40 people for the anti-draft demonstrations. Seven of those people, Frank Bardacke, Terry Cannon, Reese Erlich, Steve Hamilton, Bob Mandel, Jeff Segal, and Mike Smith, were charged with conspiracy to commit misdemeanors. The misdemeanors included obstructing sidewalks, trespassing, public nuisance, and obstructing police officers. The group became known as the “Oakland Seven.” They were acquitted in 1969.

Illustration of a leg and foot on a blue background over a yellow background with red text

Topps Co. was founded in 1938 and is most prominently known for creating sports trading cards. Today, Topps sells predominantly candy and sports memorabilia. In 1965, Topps began producing “Wise Guy” metal pins that featured satire for novelty and humor. Like the collectible sports cards, the buttons came in colorful packages and were sold for a nickel a piece. Though some buttons made by Topps came with its trademark bubble gum, “Wise Guy” pins did not.

Illustration of a person wearing a tie, holding an ax and smiling on a blue and orange background with black outlined text

"When you call me that, smile" is a catch phrase from the novel The Virginian: A Horseman of the Plains written by Owen Wister. The story takes place in the Old West, and the main character is call "The Virginian." His name is never revealed. The Virginian is a ranch hand at Sunk Creek Ranch, located in the state of Wyoming. The line comes from a scene when the Virginian is gambling with the antagonist, Trampas. It was the Virginian's turn to bet but he was silent. Trampas said, "Your bet, you son of a b----." The Virginian pulls out his pistol and says very calmly and gently, "When you call me that, smile." 

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The original Non-Violent Action Committee (N-VAC) was formed in 1957 as an anti-war group. The purpose of the group was to oppose the US government’s nuclear war testing without using violence. The legacy of their nonviolent direct action had significant influence on other movements, especially the civil rights movement. This button was created in 1964 by a south central Los Angeles branch of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) to show support towards African Americans during the height of the civil rights movement.