There’s nothing wrong with being a little more informed about a topic.

When the topic is the Black Panther Party, some may disagree. But a little insight never harmed anyone.

Bobby Seale, co-founder of the Black Panthers, spoke about his experiences to a crowd of about 250 students, faculty and staff Wednesday night at the Erickson Kiva.

Seale and fellow activist Huey P. Newton established the organization in 1966 as a radical response to the nonviolent civil rights movement.

Because the party advocated for Second Amendment rights, civil rights and against police brutality, it is sometimes looked upon negatively. But the bad reputation outweighs the good intentions of the party.

During the 1960s the Black Panther Party worked to establish breakfast programs for children and better housing for the black community.

Seale’s presence at MSU was not about getting sympathizers on campus. It was not about converting the minds of listeners to agree solely with the party’s beliefs.

Seale’s goal was simply to inform uneducated students about the Black Panthers.

It’s satisfying to see MSU brought Seale to campus outside of the Black History Month. It shows that the sponsors, the Department of Residence Life, The Black History Committee and the Office of Racial Ethnic Student Affairs, understand the intentions of the party. Now, students just have to open their minds to some knowledge.

With the racial barriers we have erected as a country, some people will never open up for better understanding and will think of the Black Panther Party in a negative light.

Seale denies the claim his organization disliked whites. He said many whites were encouraging and supportive of the party.

Seale came to campus to bring a different perspective on the Black Panther Party. There should be no anger built up, only the feeling of being better informed.