Adrian Bradley, email atb@engin.umich.edu
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RRRRRRRRRR "Nourished by anger, revolutions are born of hope. They are
RR RRRR the offspring of belief and bitterness, of faith in the
RR RRRR attainment of one's goals and indignation at the limited
RR RRRR rate and extenet of change. Rarely in history are
RRRRRRRR EVOLUTION the two stirrings confluent in a sufficent force
RR RRRR ~~~~~~~~~ to generate an effective, radical social movement."
RR RRR -Harvard Sitkoff, Struggle for Black Equality.
RR RR
RR RR Written by: Jay Jenkins 1/5/95 jayj@iac.net IRC-#blaklife, Damaja
All props to my peoples down with the politics of revolution!
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%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/
%/% DISCLAIMER /%/
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First of all I would like to add a small disclaimer. The thoughts and ideas
reflected in this text, represent my own and none others. Many of my views
may seem radical and extreme to some readers. Some of my views may even be
seen as predjudical and unnerving. If you feel that the opinions expressed
herein would offend you, then by all means stop reading. This article is
geared to those Brothers and Sisters who are consciously aware of the
situations facing the Black Community here in AmeriKKKa.
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I would first like you to clear your mind and take a trip through
the history of AmeriKKKa. Throw out everything you have ever learned
and imagine that everything white is black, and everything black is
white. Now look around and observe your power and strength. Not only
are you in control of great military and police forces, but your economic
power equals few in a global setting. Everything around you is Black!
In the most afluent neighborhoods, your children receive the finest in
education and fine arts. Your connections reach to every corner in this
nation. There is an unwritten code that if you are Black, you will
follow in the footsteps of your four fathers of success. You turn on the
televison and radio and see/hear images of positivity and grace. You
sit in your place of worship, and worship a God in your own image.
An image your ancestors successfully used to consolidate your power throughout
history. Of course you do not think of this consciously, why should you?
Africa and all its nations are prosperous. Through generations of occupation
and destruction, Europe for the most part is considered a "third world"
country. You really know little about Europe, other than your people
captured and enslaved whites to work here in America. Although times
have changed, you value the vast power you look at everyday. How could
you give this up? It seems ridiculous that you would even think about
sharing this power and wealth with anyone who was not Black. However
something does not sit right. The whites are contining pressing for more
rights. They think they own this damn country, and if it wasn't for
certain laws you would see to it that they didn't get anything. If it
weren't for your exclusive establishments you would feel that thorn
even more. But you have one thing on your side, power. With that power
you can control the flow of information and communication. If they get
out of hand, you have powerful police and military forces to quickly
subdue any radical attempts to make a change......BACK 2 REALITY
Unfortunatly, this is not reality. For a moment I tried to place my
mind in a superior complex of thinking. I touched barely on the whole
scheme of things. I tried to place my mind, in a white mans mind to
see how they think. Now of course not all whites think in that type of
mentality, but ask yourself if actions represent an internal feeling of
superiority. I cannot put myself in their mentality, but what they think
is expressed through their actions. And if the United States actions
represent the feelings of the majority, then it is obvious what they think
about Black Americans. It has not been that long, since this government
even recognized us as citizens - Do not forget this. They were willing
to send us to war and die, but not give us the respect of a man or woman.
Muhammad Ali best put it in the 60's when he refused to be drafted in
the Vietnam War, "A Viet Cong never called me a nigger."
When deceit no longer worked in subduing SOME of our minds and feelings,
a great revolution took place in this country in the 60s. Often
whitewashed and called the "Civil Rights Movement", it was in fact a
Revolution. Did not a radical change take place in this country? So
why don't we call it that? Why doesn't the history books reveal that
what took place then, changed America dramatically.
I have had many discussions with whites regarding civil rights in this
country. The typical response to questions I ask about racism is,
"Well it's better than it was..." or "I don't think there is much
racism, everyone has a fair chance." These are typical responses to
those who choose to keep their minds locked in a programmed American
agenda. Don't be fooled either, there are some of us that think this
way too - believe it or not. There is NO middle ground, either you are
free and have the freedom of choice or you don't. Are we as Black
Americans really free? Do we have the freedom of choice to really
attain success in a racist system? Did the Revolutionary movement that
took place in the 60's die? Where is the Black leadership that forged
and reshaped this country then? I am asking you these questions because
I want you to provoke your own thoughts. This country has failed in all
it's attempts to address the racial conflict within. It only put a
white sheet over it, and brushed all the issues underneath it. While
giving a facade of a "melting pot", while everyday that melting
pot is turning into a "boiling pot". It will only be a matter of time
before all hell goes loose. Statistics show that by the year 2000,
white Americans will be a minority. What is going to happen then? The
same thing that happened in South Africa. A Minority holding much of
the power, and not allowing others to have the means of success. We
have our Sowethos and Black townships - they are called ghettos. We
have police with guns and dogs to maintain peace in the ghettos. Whats
the saying the cops use, "To Serve, Protect, and break a Niggers Neck."
The Ghetto Gustapo is alive and well in 1994. Events like the Rodney
King beating go on everyday, but we never hear about that. If that shit
was happening to whites, you know it would be on the news every night.
There has and always will be a double standard when it comes to law and
law enforcement regarding Blacks. You know as well as I know that the
jails are filled with brothers and sisters locked down. The media trys
to reinforce stereotypical demigraphs of who commits crimes. We as a
people only represent some 15% of the total population, and they want
you and me to believe that we are committing most of the crime? There
is no such thing as equal justice in this country. They will sentence
a Black man 25 yrs to life for robbing a convient store, and on the
other hand send some white collar criminal who stole millions from
peoples life savings to some country club jail for 5-10yrs. Thats just
one small example of "blind" justice here.
It's 1995, and what really has changed? The White man is still up to
his devilish and deceitful tricks. Many of our communities are infested
with drugs and gangs. Equal and fair education does not exist.
Economically, we are being exploited by whites and others who have no
love for the community and its betterment. Black on Black crime is on a
rise, who benefits - Us of them? Teen pregnancy is up, who benefits - Us
or them? It may sound like that I am only blaming the government and
whitey for our problems. But the problem cannot be totally blamed on
them. You see they only provide the evil means for our own downfall, and
sit back and watch. At the same time, they remove any positive means
of upliftment. And here is where we create our own extinction, by falling
into their traps and genocidal plans. In desperate times, people take
desperate measures to survive. Our strength is in our numbers! We need
more Unity to consolidate our power, and TAKE whats rightfully ours.
We always here about the "Jewish Holocaust", six million Jews persecuted
at the hands of Hitler. What about the "Black Holocaust ?"
"One Hundred Million Africans were uprooted from
the African continent. Where are they today? One
Hundred million Africans were uprooted, 100 million
Africans, according to the book Anti-Slavery, by
Professor Dwight Lowell Dumond. At the end of slavery
you didn't have 25 million Africans in the Western
Hemisphere. What happened to those 75 million? Their
bodies are at the bottom of the ocean, or their blood
and their bones have fertilized the soul of this
country" -Excerpt taken from a Malcom X speech.
You see this is what they think about us. They will RECOGNIZE the
systamatic deletion of the Jew in Europe during WW][, but for me
and you our ancestors were a piss in the bucket. We will be one step
closer to achieving a total revolution when we realize that they don't
give a fuck about us - and that we need to stick together and support
each other. Why should we have to play the game by their rules? They
never played it by ours, how much longer will we let the "okie dokie"
mentality ride?
Solutions! Solutions! You are probably thinking, I have heard all of
this before. If you want answers, look to yourself. You have to forget
everything they have brainwashed and installed in your mind. Attain
knowledge of self and do something with it. Pass it on to another
sister or brother, even if you don't know them. Without Unity, and as
long as we have tension within our own ranks, we will never win. It
boils down to Us and Them. Why point the gats and guns at ourselves,
check who the real enemy is and take aim. Once you have attained a
revolutionary mindset for change, your actions will come naturally.
Sometimes Violence is necessary. The ONLY reason why the non-violent
movement worked in the 60's and with Gandhi, is because a large
majority of people sympathized with the movement when they saw women
and children being sprayed with hoses and bitten by dogs. But when
Revolutionary Groups such as the Black Panthers armed themselves and
said look, you ain't gonna do that shit to us, they felt fear. When
brothers like Malcom X spoke out, they felt fear. When Angela Davis
stood up, they felt fear. When Nat Turner and his followers
rebelled, they definitly felt fear. When Farrakhan speaks, they feel
fear. They Fear anything that has to do with radical change, a change
that directly affects their power. Nothing, let me repeat, NOTHING has
ever been given to us. Everything we have attained in this country was
through blood, sweat, and tears. So If you Black Man, Black Woman are
waiting for something to be handed down to you - then you will be
waiting for a long time. Stand up for your rights as a human, in an
inhumane society and TAKE WHATS RIGHTFULLY YOURS.
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| Any responses, opinions, rags, whatever can be directly emailed to me at |
| jayj@iac.net. Feel Free to spread this around, all I ask is that the |
| contents within be left alone. |
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(NOTE from the editor: As per the author's wish, no modifying was done to this article.
It was simply printed as is. To read part II of this article now, click here.)
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XXXXXXXXXX
XX XXXX "The ideas which can and will sustain our movement
XX XXXX for total freedom and dignity of the people cannot
XX XXXX be imprisoned, for they are to be found in the
XXXXXXXX EVOLUTION PART 2 people. As long as the people live by the ideas
XX XXXX ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ of freedom and dignity, there will be no prison
XX XXX which can hold the movement down."
XX XX -HUEY P NEWTON, BLACK PANTHER
XX xXXXx
Written by: Jay Jenkins 3/24/95
jayj@iac.net IRC-#blaklife, Igwegbe aka Damaja
All props to my peoples down with the politics of revolution!
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* DISCLAIMER AND NOTES *
****************************************************************************
The thoughts and ideas found in this text, reflect my own and none others.
I am not respondsible for any actions that may take place after reading this
text in any manner. Ideas and thoughts presented in quotes, reflect those of
the particular author. You are free to distribute this text to whomever you
wish all that I ask is that the contents herein be left alone, as I spent
a long time writing this. I do encourage you to forward this to as many people
you know as possible.
Well after getting several compliments on the first text I wrote, titled
"Revolution" I decided to write another one. Unlike the first piece, this
one will be written on a more intellectual level with factual references and
less general opinions on my part. The goal is always to stimulate
your own thoughts and feelings, and instrument them into your own beliefs.
I am not writing this for any class or any organization. My writings are to
enlighten others and in the process stimulate myself intellectually. Enjoy
the text and as I mentioned before, any comments or responses can be mailed
directly to me at jayj@iac.net - I usually try to respond to every piece of
mail sent to me, but if you dont get a reply send another message.
Also if anyone is interested in writing a section that will be included in
further texts, let me know.
FAIR WARNING, THIS IS LOOOOONG! If you are in unix pine mail, type "e" to
export this in your home directory as a file to read later. Or just save
it to read later, OR :) you can read it all now - whatever floats your boat.
This text is much longer than the first one I wrote, and hopefully
significantly better and more organized.
****************************************************************************
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
I. Blacks and the Conspiracy of the United Snakes Government.
II. Black Panther Party and Huey P. Newton
III. Ultimate Rebellion!
IV. Solutions for Black problems in 1995 and beyond.
V. Conclusion, Suggested Readings, Sited Texts.
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PART ONE: Blacks and the Conspiracy of the U.S
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"Law and order must prevail" has become the clich`e of the 1960's and
the biggest lie, because the American black man has never known law and
order except as an instrument of oppression; and it has prevailed upside
his head at every available oppurtunity. It exists for that purpose. The
law has been written by white men, for the protection of white men and
their property, to be enforced by white men against blacks in particular
and poor folks in general."
-Julius Lester
LOOK OUT, WHITEY! BLACK POWER's GON' GET YOUR MAMA!
Julius Lester slammed that fact dead on the nails head. The United States
government has spent much of it's time and our money, not addressing civil
right issues or legislation, but using law and law enforcement against our
people. Since the first slaves arrived in Jamestown the law on the books
was and still is to this day, implemented to supress us. The constituition
was not written with YOU and I in mind. The FBI and local law enforcement
are the tools that the government uses to enforce their continued racism.
I would first like to look into one of the biggest racist in our century,
and how he implemented his racist tactics in building the supreme law
enforcement organization - J Edgar Hoover and the FBI.
"I told the Senator (Birch Bayh) that you have an intense
demoralizing situation where they (blacks) cry 'police
brutality' on the slightest provaction and the newspapers
serve no useful purpose in printing the picture...of a Negro
on the ground with the officers above...I stated that now
they (the supreme court justices at that time) have gone into
the field where police officers must address them in a
courteous language, particulary in the case of Negroes as
instead of saying, 'Boy, come here,' they want to be addressed
as 'Mr.'" -Hoover on Miranda v. Arizona, 377 U.S 201 (1966).
Well contrary to what he said, the FBI and Cops have always been standing
over us. If the Rodney King incident had been taped and recorded in the
1960's it would have to compete with airtime for the hundreds of other
police brutality incidents that occured. Hoover and his FBI agents were at
almost EVERY civil rights demonstration. From the infamous "Bloody Sunday"
in which Selma troops attacked marchers on the Pettus Bridge, to the freedom
rides in Mississippi. They sat back and watched, took notes and pictures
while Klansman and local pigs beat black and white protestors. Their
movement however was not limited to just idle watching, but provoking and
often involving themselves in these matters under Hoover's direct orders.
The FBI and their interests in blacks have a long history, since it's
creation (even before it became a federal law enforcement agency). They
have always been interested in what we are thinking, how we feel, or what
our mood is. It is naive to believe that these facts are not relevant to
this day either. I wouldn't be surprised if they are reading this now and
monitoring various internet news groups. Since the law passed which allowed
people access to hidden FBI files, there are several interesting tidbits
which can be found. The FBI monitored for years Black activists, some of
which you have never heard of and some you have such as: James Baldwin,
W.E.B Du Bois, Medgar Evers, Marcus Garvey, Fanny Lou Hammer, Martin Luther
King Jr., Adam Clayton Powell Jr., A.Philip Randolph, Paul Robeson, Bayard
Rustin, Roy Wilkins, ALL the Black Panther Leaders, and of course Malcom X.
If you want to read the actual reports and memos the FBI wrote, check the
end of this text for suggested readings.
Now although it was techinically illegal for Hoover and his feds to randomly
monitor and tap citizens, he created his own bogus reasons to do so. In
almost every name I mentioned in the previous paragraph, he labeled all of
these people as communists. By saying they were communists, he had as much
space,money to carry out any surveilance and monitoring he needed in the
name of "National Security." Now with the revolutionary climate in the 60s
it is not to far fetched to believe that The United States government was in
on the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcom
X. Albeit, they may have not pulled the trigger but they were an instrumental
force that allowed these things to happen since they did monitor them 24/7.
Take into account the planned assassination of Fred Hampton,
a Black Panther. The Black Panthers were targeted as a communist group and
in general a internal militant organization that posed a threat to national
security. Fred Hampton was shot dead in Chicago while sleeping (yeah he
really posed a threat to national security didnt he?) during an FBI
orchestrated raid carried out by local pigs. And low and behold, Hoover
himself signed off a $300 bonus to the informant (house nigger sellout)
who infiltrated the Black Panthers and assisted with the details of the raid.
The COINTELPRO (counterintelligence program) did not begin or start with
Hampton either, but wiped out most of the Black Panthers who were either
killed in cold blood by cops and feds or framed for crimes they did not
committ. Geronomo Pratt is a living example of this today. This brother is
still in jail to this day in California, for a crime he did not committ.
He was found gulity on armed robbery which resulted in the death of a
white woman - and although he has an allibi which puts him in another city
and witnesses to support this allibi he was found gulity and sentenced to
life imprisionment.
Hoover depended highly on a close relationship with local piggies in order
to solve crimes, that had nothing to do with blacks. However he would not
jeopordize these relationships by opening up police brutality cases or
local police heads with close ties to white supremists organizations. In
fact this bastard assisted these local pigs. For example the Freedom Rides
that took place, in which blacks and whites rode through the deep south on
Greyhound buses and Trailways. The local cops were tipped off by Federal
Agents as to when these buses would be arriving. The local police chief,
Bull Connor in turn informed his fellow Klan members of this time and gave
them a 20 minute grace period to crack heads before the cops would arrive
and break it up. Buses were ran off the roads by shotguns and molitov
cocktails (homemade explosives), klan members then boarded the buses and
pulled people off to an awaiting mob with chains, baseball bats, and lead
pipes. While of course you know who, the FBI, stood on the sidelines taking
notes and pictures and NOT protecting blacks being beaten to death.
I'm sure you all remember the movie, "Mississippi Burning" and the glorious
FBI came down to the South to fight and uphold justice. Well the events in
that movie are false. The ONLY thing the FBI did was to put up a nice fat
bounty to whoever could reveal where the bodies of the three young men were
at, ultimately found under 30ft of Mississippi soil. The very informant that
told them the location, was involved in the murders and collected the
$30,000.00 reward for information leading to the discovery of the bodies.
And Hoover, who sincerly believed that their deaths (along with the deaths of the four
black girls who were killed in the Alabama church bombing) were done by
Blacks in order to keep a "racial tense" environment going (how sick can
you be to think this?) and or they had some kind of communist connection.
And on these grounds he had Michael Schwerner's father telephone wiretaped.
Regarding the death of a white woman who was a civil rights activist named
Viola Liuzzo who was shot by klansmen, Hoover had this to say:
" 'On the womans body,' he told the President, without any evidence
whatsoever, 'We found needle marks indicating she had been taking
dope.' He told Attorney General Katenbach that Liuzzo 'was sitting
very, very close to the Negro in the car...[and] that it had the
appearance of a necking party.' He told a group of newspaper editors
from Liuzzo's home state that 'White citizens are primarily decent,
but frightened for their lives' because 'the colored people are quite
ignorant, mostly uneducated, and I doubt if they would seek an
education if they had an oppurtunity. Many who have the right to
register [to vote] seldom do register.'" -Black Americans, FBI Files.
Well we all know why she was killed, however I am surprised that the
brother in the car with her managed to get away without being killed as
well.
Hoover in his last days was still relentless in his efforts to dehumanize
and destroy Black organizations. The Black Panthers as I mentioned earlier
was a significant issue in the later years of his life, and became a focul
point for FBI offices particularly in Chicago and Southern California.
From 1967-1972, Black Panthers were targeted for the purposes of causing
internal dissent and a general crack down on the leaders. On August 25,
1967 the FBI launched a formal COINTELPRO against what it called
"black hate groups".
"Twenty-three field offices participated initially, with the various
special agents in charge required to assign 'experienced and immagitive'
agents as 'counter-intelligence coordinators' and give them free reign
to 'expose, disrupt, misdirect, or otherwise neutralize the activities
of black nationalist, hate type organizations and groupings, their
leadership, spokesmen, membership, and supporters." -BA,FBI FILES
Now these so called "black hate groups" included almost every organization
including the very mediocore NAACP, of which organization has white member-
ships in it. Hoover also tried his best to show that Martin Luther King Jr.,
had close ties and members in his organization that were Communist.
Other expanded COINTELPRO goals which are significant to mention is to
"prevent the coalition of militant black nationalist groups." The FBI
noted that this "might be the first step toward a real 'Mau mau' in
America, the beginning of a true black revolution." They also did not want
to see the rise of a black "messiah" that would unify Blacks under a
nationalistic movement. During these years, the Black Panther Party was
at war with another militant group led by Maulana Karenga - the group
was called US (as opposed to "them" being the black panthers).
There were several gun battles in which usually the Black Panthers were
killed. Hoover and the FBI however were instrumental to many of these
showdowns in the streets. Just as the United Snakes sent arms to Iraq and
Iran at the same time, they steadily fed bull to each of these parties.
They made up cartoons that showed US members killing Black Panthers and
mailed them to Black Panther members. They posted the cartoons on telephone
poles in many of the ghettos. They did the same to US members as well, by
making cartoons of Panthers killing US members and mailing it to them. Other
activities such as phone calls making death threats on each groups leaders
were regular.
These are examples that show how the FBI and government have never wanted us
as a people unified, and have at all attempts seen that this does not
happen.
We cannot trust the government, including the FBI. Even to this day we still
see their evil schemes - especially with the recent inditement of Malcom X's
daughter Shabazz, on planning the assassination of Minister Louis Farrakhan.
The person whom she allegedly contracted to do the killing is a white
FBI informant. Now in all fairness, do you really think that the United
States Government gives a rat's ass about whether or not there is a plot to
kill Louis Farrakhan? I can guarentee you that the FBI is still monitoring
Black Leadership and spokes people. With the Freedom of Information Act
ammendmants added in 1974, we now have access to all the documents regarding
the FBI and sections under "Racial Matters" which would fill a million
volumes (thats a lot of information!). I am going to include a few of
these memos for you to look at, however you can probably go to the library
(a large one, not your school or local one) and find the entire volumes on
particular blacks that were targeted. Noticed I said were, because we are
not taking into consideration the ones that are being targeted today or
that are still under investigation. Although these types of surveilences
were ended after the death of Hoover, or so they claim, I seriously doubt
that they do not monitor and keep track of Black Nationalist organizations
to this day.
The [Bureau Deletion] within are usually names that the FBI erased that we
have no idea who the person or persons are. This is all authentic by the
way, nothing is added or changed on my part, I do however make some comments
which are in (). There are many many memos on each individual, I just
picked certain ones to prove my arguement regarding communism and a general
move to destabilize Black Leaders. Many of the files also contain
biography information, synopsis of their writings, "shadowed" accounts of
significant daily activities (shadowed is the detective term for following
someone), and physical descriptions. I tried to use memos that reflect
a broad sense of what they all are like. Using different types of memos,
teletypes, and such to give you a broad idea of what they were writing. To
say the least, they are very interesting because it gives us an insight to
their motivations and actions. I would definitly suggest getting these
accounts and reading them for yourself. The first line is what I added,
that contains the name of the person in reference to and a brief sentence
of who they are; as an educated African-American you SHOULD KNOW :)
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
* JAMES BALDWIN * Novelist,essayist, playwright. 1924-1987
MEMORANDUM
TO: SAC, NY (100-16553) DATE: MAY 29,1963
FROM: [Bureau Deletion] SUPERVISOR, #12
SUBJECT: JAMES ARTHUR BALDWIN
INFORMATION CONCERNING
[Bureau Deletion] on 5/21/63 requested a check of the NYO indices and also
established sources for any information, particularly of a derogatory
nature, concerning captioned. Information had been developed by the Bureau
that Baldwin is a homosexual, and on a recent occasion made derogatory
remarks in reference to the Bureau.
The indices of the NYO disclose two pertinent files identical to the
captioned: 100-16552 and [Bureau Deletion].
[Bureau Deletion] James Baldwin was arrested on 9/3/94 for Disorderly
Conduct, was arraigned before Judge Balsam and received a suspended sentence
The Disorderly Conduct charge was for refusal to move on order of a
policeman. At that time James Baldwin was described as a Negro, age 30,
novelist, residence 63 West 97th Street...
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
* W.E.B Du Bois * NAACP founder, professor, novelist, activist (1868-1963)
This case originated at: Atlanta, Georgia
Report made at: Baltimore, Maryland
Date when made: 2/13/43
Period for which made: 12/31/42; 1/29, 2/1/43
Report made by: [Bureau Deletion]
Title: WILLIAM EDWARD BURGHARDT DU BOIS
Character of case: Internal Security
SYNOPSIS OF FACT:
Neighborhood investigation revealed subject to be a great Negro educator,
author,lecturer and publisher; very studious and not inclined to be a
social mixer. Interview with active member and officer of Harvard Club of
Md. revealed nothing of subversive nature. The following is a description
of the subject as furnished by agent [Bureau Deletion]:
Age: 70, but appears much younger
Complexion: Medium Brown
Weight: 155-165 lbs
Height: 5'8 to 5'10
Hair: Grey mixed with black, curly Wears pointed goatee
Eyes: Dark Brown
Build: Stocky
Accent: Precise and cultured
[Bureau Deletion] has known subject personally for 6 of 8 years, and states
that his loyalty is unquestionable and that he is a fine neighbor...
Activities by FBI informants for the period of August to October 1950 follow:
(Ok sorry its way too long to type out all of his activities, but they sure
as hell dont lack details)
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
* MARCUS GARVEY * activist, founder Pan-African movement. (1887-1940)
Report made at: Cleveland, Ohio
Date when made: 5/2/23
Period for which made: 4/30/23
Report made by: R.C NOVARIO
Title and character of case: MARCUS GARVEY, Negro Propagandist and Agitator
FACTS DEVELOPED AT CLEVELAND,OHIO
Acting under instructions from Agent in Charge J. V. Ryan, this Agent
attended the meeting at 2226 East 55th St., Eagles Hall, and about 800
Negro men and women were present.
Subject entered the hall about 8:30 pm escorted by a uniformed body of about
twenty-five men, headed by an American flag and a red,black and green flag,
followed by about twenty women dressed as nurses with green cross [sic]
on white caps and about twenty women in white, composing a choir singing
a church hymn.
Subject was next introduced as Provisinal President of Africa....
...Subject blamed Negroes for not using their brains; that 60 yrs ago a
black man thought that all he had to do was obey the white man, but now
the Negro represents a new school of thought, and history tells us that in
the early ages the black man ruled the world, for in Egypt, Ethiopia, and
Timbucktoo [sic], the black man was a master of arts and science and the
white man lived as cannibals in caves...
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
* FANNY LOU HAMMER * SNCC Member, Activist (1917-1977)
TELETYPE
TO: DIRECTOR, FBI AND SAC, MEMPHIS/44-1063/
DATE: JUNE 11, 1963
FROM: SAC, ATLANTA /44-1452/
CHANGED, USNUBS FANNY LOU HAMMER, ET AL. DASH VICTIMS.CR
TITLE MARCKED CHANGED TO SHOW THE CORRECT NAME OF HAMMER AS FURNISHED
BY HER. TITLE FORMERLY CARRIEED AS FANNY HAMMER.
RE ATLANTA TELEPHONE CALL TO MEMPHIS JUNE THIRTEEN, LAST.
VICTIM HAMMER ARRESTED BY UNSUB BELIEVED TO BE A SHERIFF OR DEPUTY ON JUNE
NINE, LAST, WINONA, MISSISSIPPI. BUS STATION. VICTIM DID NOT USE THE
FACILITIES AT TERMINAL BUT WAS ARRESTED WHEN SHE INQUIRED ABOUT OTHER
VICTIMS BEING ARRESTED. SHE WAS NOT FURNISHED THE NATURE OF THE CHARGES
UNTIL HER APPEARENCE IN COURT. JUNE ELEVEN,LAST,WHEN SHE WAS CHARGED WITH
IMMORAL CONDUCT AND RESISTING ARREST. SHE WAS RELEASED ON TWO HUNDRED
DOLLARS BOND, JUNE TWELVE, LAST. VICTIM CLAIMS SHE DID NOT RESIST ARREST
AT ANY TIME AND SHE WAS KICKED BY UNSUB SHERIFF OR DEPUTY WHEN ENTERING
HIS CAR TO GO TO JAIL. AFTER BEING PLACED IN JAIL VICTIM WAS BEATEN BY
TWO NEGRO MALE PRISONERS WITH BLACKJACK ON INSTRUCTION FROM UNSUB,
MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY PATROLMAN IN THE PRESENCE OF TWO OTHER WHITE MALES, ONE
OF WHOM WAS SEEN LATER IN THE UNIFORM OF WINONA, MISSISSIPPI POLICE OFFICER.
THE THIRD WHITE MALE IN THE CELL STRUCK VICTIM WITH HIS HAND IN ATTEMPT
TO QUIET HER SCREAMING WHEN BEATEN BY THE PRISONERS. NO MEDICAL TREATMENT
AFFORDED HER...
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
* MARTIN LUTHER KING JR * Need I say more? (1929-1968)
April 20, 1962
Honorable P. Kenneth O'Donnell
Special Assistant to the President
The White House
Washington, D.C.
My Dear Mr. O'Donnell:
On February 14, 1962, I furnished you with information concerning Martin
Luther King, Jr. I thought you would be interested in additional
information concerning the influence of Stanley David Levison, a secret
member of the Communist party, on King.
A confidential source who has furnished reliable information in the past
advised on April 16, 1962, that he had learned that Levison is forming
in King's name an organization to be known as the Gandhi Society for Human
Rights. Levison contemplates sending invitations signed by King to
approximatley twenty prominent people to attend a luncheon on May 17,1962,
in Washington, D.C. A public announcement will be made at that time on
the formation of the organization. The President and the Attorney General
Willam P. Rogers may also be invited to the luncheon.
The informant said that he is under the impression that Theodore Kheel,
arbitrator for the New York City Transit Authority; Harry Belafonte, a
well known singer; and A. Philip Randolph, prominent labor leader, are
involved in the formation of the organization.
This information is being furnished to the attorney general.
THIS INFORMATION HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED "SECRET" BECAUSE OF THE SENSITIVE
NATURE OF OUR SOURCES.
Sincerly yours,
J. EDGAR HOOVER
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
* PAUL ROBESON * Singer,Actor,Activist, (1898-1976)
This case orginated at: New York City
Report made at: New York City
Date when made: 12/8/42
Period for which made: 11/17,18,19/42
Report made by: [Bureau Deletion]
Title: PAUL ROBESON
Character of case: Internal Security-C
DETAILS:
The investigation in this case is predicated upon the fact that it appears
that Paul Robeson is a member of a number of communist front organizations...
SAC, NEW YORK CITY
J.EDGAR HOOVER-DIRECTOR, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Under date of November 28,1942, Confidential Informant [Bureau Deletion]
of the Indianapolis Field Office furnished that Office with a report
covering conversation he had with [Bureau Deletion] at that time.
[Bureau Deletion] told the informant that he is himself an active Communist
Party member and that he had joined the party after a professional tour in
England. On this tour Robeson met a man by the name of Henry Pollet who
was believed to have converted Robeson to the party. [Bureau Deletion]
further claimed that upon Robeson's return to the United States he donated
his entire earnings from this trip in the amount of $300,000.00 to the
Communist Party... This Informant referred to above is a paid informant
who is considered reliable by the Indianapolis Field Office.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
* BAYARD RUSTIN * Organized March on Washington, VERY low key activist.
(1910-1987)
FBI
AIRTEL
TO: SAC, New York [Bureau Deletion]
Date: Oct. 4, 1963
FROM: Director, FBI [Bureau Deletion]
SUBJECT: COMMUNIST PARTY, USA
NEGRO QUESTION
COMMUNIST INFLUENCE IN
RACIAL MATTERS [Bureau Deletion]
[Bureau Deletion]
As you are well aware it is our immediate respondsibility to not only take
take every available measure in determining communist efforts to exploit
the racial situation and the extent of the party's influence among the
Negro people, but also to take necessary steps to neutralize and frustrate
the party's endeavors. To ensure that we are making [every] effort to meet
these respondsibilities, the Buereau is currently considering the possibility
of installing techinal-type coverage on the activities of Bayard Rustin...
Bayard Rustin resides at Apt 9j, 340 West 28th Street, New York, New York.
Rustin, who was the Deputy Director of the Aug. 28, 1963, March on Washington
continues to participate in the current Negro struggle for civil rights.
According to a confidential source who has furnished reliable information
in the past, [Bureau Deletion] also commented recently, [Bureau Deletion]
that the Negroes are now willing to know what the Communist Party has to
say and to welcome whatever support the communists can give...In order to
obtain further information concerning the plans of the CPUSA relatating to
influence in racial matters, it is requested that authority be granted to
place a techinal surveillance on the residence of Bayard Rustin or on any
future residence to which he moves...
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
* Malcom X * You betta ask somebody :) (1925-1965)
A footnote before I enter in some of the memos regarding Malcom X.
Malcom was never more than the FBI's secondary target, their first target
in their investigations and surveilance was Elijah Muhammed. However the FBI
egged on the seperation of Malcom from the Nation of Islam, which resulted
in the assassination of Malcom. The FBI has blood on its hands not because
they pulled the trigger, but because they pushed on knowing that Malcom's
murder was coming and that they knew the tactics of Black Muslims in America
and that they would do anything to protect the name of the self-proclaimed
prophet sent by Allah, Elijah Muhammed.
---------
MUSLIM CULT OF ISLAM
[Bureau Deletion] the Muslim Cult of Islam, which is also known as the Allah
Temple of Islam, is a religious cult whose members regard Allah as their
supreme being and claim to be the direct descendants of the original race on
earth. The members fanatically follow the teachings of Allah as interpreted
by Elijah Muhammad, the "true prophet of Allah" entitled titular head of the
Muslim Cult of Islam in the United States, and believe that any civil law
[that] conflicts with the Muslim law should be disobeyed. The members
disavow their alliegence to the United States and pledge their allegiance
only to Allah and do not consider it their duty to register for Selective
Service or to serve in the United States Armed Forces as they cannot serve
two masters. According to the teachings of Elijah Muhammad and the cult's
ministers, the members of a minority race in the United States are not
citizens of this country but merely slaves of this country and will continue
to be slaves until they free themselves by destroying non-Muslims and
Christianity in the "War of Armaggeddon."
[Bureau Deletion] Muslims known to him either shave their hair or wear
goatees.
According to records [Bureau Deletion] the Subject wears chin whiskers.
------------
DESCRIPTION
The following description of the Subject was obtained from the records
[Bureau Deletion]
NAME: Malcom K. Little, was Malachi [sic] Shabazz;
"Rhythm Red"; "Detroit Red"; Jack Carlton;
DOB: May 19,1925 Omaha, Nebraska
RACE: Negro-mulatto
SEX: Male
Residence: 4336 Williams Street, Inkster, Michigan
Height: 6' 3 1/2"
Weight: 180lbs
Build: Slender
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Complexion: Light
Scars & Marks: 1" scar from right eye to nose; 1/2 scar below left
elbow.
Peculiarities: Confirmed user of marijuana; wears chin whiskers
and mustache
Employment: Cut Rate Department Store
8940 Oakland Avenue
Inkster, Michigan
(Presently unemployed)
Maritial Staus: Single
Nationaity: American
FBI No. 4282299
Social Security#: 376-16-3427
Report Made by: SA [Bureau Deletion]
Title: Malcom K Little, was Brother Malcom X
Character of case: Security matter-MCI
---------
SYNOPSIS OF FACTS:
[Bureau Deletion] subject attended meetings of the MCI, Temple No. 7 NYC,
during January, 1954. [Bureau Deletion] subject was a tour leader for
the NYC Temple No.7 at the Chicago Convention of the Cult in February,
1954. [Bureau Deletion] subject was in attendance at Temple No.7 and was
enthusiastically going over the teachings of the cult. [Bureau Deletion]
the subject has openly spoken against the "white devils" and has
encouraged greater hatred on the part of cult toward the white race.
---------
MISCELLANEOUS:
Allegeed Threat against Subjects Life
The March 21, 1964 edition of the New York Amsterdam News contained an
article on page 50 [that] reflected that subject claimed that officials
at NOI Mosque No.7 had tried to persuade NOI members that he was insane
after his suspension in December, 1963. After these NOI officials believed
they had turned enough NOI members against him, subject alleged that they
sent a brother out to kill him in cold blood during Feb.,1964, but because
truth was stronger than falsehood the brother did not believe the charge
and instead of killing him told him of the plot and of the actions of NOI
officials. Subject claimed that when he demanded an opportunity to refute
these charges before NOI Mosque No.7 his request was refused.
[Bureau Deletion] had no information to indicate that an attempt was ever
made or contemplated against the life of subject by members of the NOI,
and that subject had never made such a complaint [Bureau Deletion].
-----------
Efforts by NOI to evict Subject from Residence
[Bureau Deletion] advised that after Elijah Muhammad learned subject had
broken with NOI on March 8, 1964, he instructed [Bureau Deletion] to tell
subject that he must give up his residence, which is owned by NOI.
[Bureau Deletion] advised that [Bureau Deletion] sent the following letter
under date of March 10, 1964 to subject:
Dear Brother Malcom,
You have several items such as letters, Mosque Film, Negro documents,
etc. relative to the Muslims and their affairs...[T]he laborers and
believers herby request your cooperation in turning these items over to
Muhammad's Mosque No.7 immediatly. Also you are residing in a building
which was purposed by Muhammad's Mosque No.7 for the use by a laborer
as designated by the leader and teacher, the honorable Elijah Muhammad,
who may serve in ministerial capacity or whatever position he places them.
As you no longer hold this position we the laborers and believers request
that you vacate the premises located at 23-11 97th Street, East Elmhurst
69, New York, upon receiving this letter. Upon a call to Captain Joseph
arrangements can be made to have personal items belonging to the Nation
of Islam picked up. This letter will also serve notice your car insurance
is in Muhammed's Mosque No.7 We are requesting that you discontinue using
the name of Muhammad's Mosque or the Nation of Islam for your personal
effects...If you continue to use the Nation's name on your car then the
Mosque will have to take possession of the car, which we do not want to
do because this car is your personal property...This letter also serves
notice that Muhammed's Mosque No.7 will discontinue handling expenses
on utilities at said 23-11 97th Street.
--------
FBI
Reporting office: New York
Office of Origin: New York
Date: 1/20/65
Investigative Period: 12/1/64 - 1/15/65
Report made by: [Bureau Deletion]
Title of Case: CHANGED
MALCOM K. LITTLE aka
M. Khalil
Character of Case: IS-MMI
The title of this case is marked "Changed" to add the alias of M.Khalil
used by subject when he registered at the Hilton Hotel, NYC, on 1/2/65.
--------------
Foreign Travel of Malcom X
To Africa, April 13,1964 through May 21,1964
On May 21, 1964, Supervisor John Adams, Immigration and Naturalization
Service (INS), JFK airport New York, advised that Malcom X Little, Passport
Number C294275m, using the name Malik Elshabazz arrived in the United States
at 4:25 pm., aboard Pan American Flight 115 from Paris, France.
On July 13, 1964, [BUREAU DELETION] furnished an itineray [for] Malcom
X during his trip to Africa which indicated the following schedule:
April 13, 1964 He departed the U.S for Cairo, Egypt
April 14 to in Cairo, United Arab Republic, Beirut,Lebanon
May 5, 1964 and Saudi Arabia, where he completed pilgrimage
to Mecca.
May 6, 1964 In Lagos, Nigeria
May 8, 1964 Ibadan, Nigeria
May 10, 1964 In Accra, Ghana
May 18, 1964 Morocco.
May 19, 1964 In Algiers
May 21, 1964 Returned to the United States.
(the details of each account are also noted, but are too lengthy to address
now but believe me they are well worth reading on your own).
-----------------------
The rest of the FBI memos and notes found in their files, regard the
assassination of Malcom. I am almost certain that whatever surveilance
leading up to his murder have been destroyed. Nontheless, in regards to
Malcom, the FBI files are interesting to say the least as a way of probing
into the people arrested and convicted for his murder. And I would suggest
that if you are interested in these files, to check them out for yourself
as it is too lengthy to type into this text file.
Also they have information about meetings that top NOI ministers including
Malcom X that met with KKK and Neo-Nazi members regarding the Klan selling
large amounts of land in North Carolina for the black seperationists. And
furthermore both parties agreement that the Jew is behind the integration
movement using the negro as a tool. These accounts are worth reading because
I do not think that they are far from the truth, considering that the KKK
and NOI are both seperationist groups.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well it is quite evident that the FBI regularly monitored activities by
Black leaders, writers, musicians etc. In many of the memos where it is
alleged that the person had communist party connections (in most of these
cases such as Robeson, were considered believers in the ideas presented
by Communist but not necessarily Communist) the accusations of which are
made by paid informants who are often always mentioned in the files as
"reliable informant". Well an informant gets paid to report back to the FBI
when it comes down to it, it's his word against someone else. And since
the informant's identity is never revealed who is to say that these
"informants" really even existed? It is conceivable to believe that Hoover
and his FBI agents could have made up these informants in order to use
government funding to monitor whoever they wanted. All the had to do was
send Hoover a memo stating that such and such person is believed to be a
communist and we believe that our dossier is reliable. This whole idea is
like asking a fox to guard the chicken coup. They intercepted mail, read it
and passed it along (ie: the letter from NOI to Malcom) They followed people
and accounted for their daily routines and schedules (ie:Du Bois, Malcom).
They wiretapped their houses and phones (almost all of the above I
mentioned). Does this sound like activity for a country that says it is for
and by the people?
What ultimatly can be gained from knowing these facts, is that racism in
an integral part of American government and society. And that this govern-
ment has organizations such as the FBI,NSA,CIA that in all respects are
above the law. And any idea, action, words, that go against America's racist
doctrines are immediately "neutralized" by these racist organizations that
represent a racist and oppressive government. America has planted the seeds
of racism and white supremacy, and it has grown into a tall tree. And no
matter how many limbs you cut off, the tree will replace those limbs. If
you want to destroy the tree, you must sever it at its base and uproot it
by force!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
PART TWO: BLACK PANTHER PARTY, AND HUEY P. NEWTON
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well since my last text file, many of my fellow brothers and sisters have
asked about the Black Panthers. Who they were, What did they do, and there
were several discussions regarding the Black Panther Party on the #blaklife
mailing list as well as the irc channels. I will attempt to outline some
of the more prominent known members of the Black Panthers, their encounters
with law enforcement, their affect on the Black community in the United
States, and of course their beliefs and theories.
First of all I would like to make it clear that Black Power, in my humble
opinion, is in NO WAY comparable to White Power or White Supremacy. Which
is often the con arguement used against organizations such as the Black
Panthers. These organizations grew out of an oppressive society and a
reaction against crimes that are committed against blacks, where as white
supremist organization exist and born out of pure racial hatred and the
continual supression on people of color in this country. Agreed that both
share some of the same basic ideologies such as self-autonomy, and
Nationalism comparing the two on the same scale is fruitless and merits
very little in comparison in my opinion.
The founder of the Black Panther Party was Huey P. Newton (1942-1989). He
founded the party in Oakland, California which was one of the focul points
for the movement. Although the Panther Party spread to many of the major
cities in the U.S that had large amounts of Blacks such as Chicago and
Detroit, Oakland and California was where their movement was born. While
in college (Merritt College in Oakland) Huey met Bobby Seale (1937- ) and
they both organized and officially founded the Black Panther party in
1966. Other prominent Panthers that joined the party were Eldridge Cleaver,
Boby Seale's brother Cleveland Seale, Fred Hampton, Mark Clark, Bobby
Hutton, and Geronomo Pratt just to name a handful of the leaders associated
with the Black Panther party. Although the exact numbers of Black Panthers
are not known, atleast by my own findings, it can be estimated that they
had several thousand Party members across the United States. The party
which had much of its grass roots foundation in Marxism and the beliefs of
Mao Tse-Tung were indeed viewed by the government as a threat. Under this
threat, the government with the help of local law enforcement saw fit to
quickly subdue and eliminate the roots of the Black Panther movement.
To understand the basis of what the Black Panthers believed in, one must
examine the basic foundations that Lenin in the Soviet Union, Mao-Tse Tung
in China, and Amilcar Cabral in Africa believed. Their theories are basically
what Newton followed by in forming the Black Panther Party. What Newton
wanted to do, was to place the black agenda in a greater context that
correlates with the twentieth century leftist thought. Whereas Martin Luther
King believed that freedom arrived from morality practiced in the eyes of
God, Newton believed that freedom was fighting for the interests of the
majority of the people in the ultimate goal of freedom. No true revolution
has never been non-violent, if you look at the Soviet Revolution in 1917
for example. True Communism would be the ideal system to live under in a
Utopian society, however since there is not such a society and with the
large drop off of Communism, it is purely idealistic in my opinion to think
that such a revolution based on Marxist teachings could ever take place in
the United States. Furthermore, Marxist do not believe in any form of
religion. To quote Newton, "When people achieve perfect knowledge, they
will have attained heaven." Newton's philosophy on religion is also
unappealing to the masses of blacks, which is another unrealistic aspect
in the Black Panther Party. I bring this out because it is worth mentioning
and I don't want to come off as just being pro-Black Panther, but also
share with you all aspects of their ideologies. Also you are truely a fool
if you believe in 100% of the ideas of any organization without knowing all
the facts first.
There were various stages that the Black Panther Party went through in its
ideologies. Ultimatley it came to rest on Internationalism. Ideas of which
were developed by Marcus Garvey and later on by Malcom X. The United States
government was very much aware and concerned with Malcom contacting the
heads of states of various African and Middle East countries in bringing
formal charges to the United Nations on the treatment of blacks. This of
course never happened because he was assassinated. But imagine if it did
happen, how would America look in front of the world along with all of its
European allies condeming Angolia and South Africa for racism, when in
fact America stood on hyprocritical ground. Newton took this further to
state that the black american issue could not be addressed without looking
at the sufferings of blacks all over the world. Furthermore that the
success of the black revolution in America could only take place with the
support and unification of blacks throughout the world.
The three major tactics used by the Black Panther Party were (1) Their
participation in electorial politics. (2) Their refusal to rule out the
use of violence as a tool of liberation. (3) Their advocacy of black-white
alliances. To begin with the last one, because you probably are confused
a little because why would a Black Nationalistic Organization want any
kind of alliance with the enemy - whitey. First we have to look at the time
in which the Black Panther party was at its height, the late 60s. During
this time there were large amounts of white protestors who spoke out against
the government for the Vietnam War and Dominican Republic. Newton felt that
they were sincere in their disgust for the United States, and believed that
it would be beneficial to form alliances with these whites who would rather
side against the government than with it. However when posed with the
question of how can a pro-black organization accept these alliances, Newton
falls back to the teachings of Malcom X. That there can be no black-white
unity until there is first black unity. And that the black revolutinaries
will accept aide from white radicals, as long as those radicals understand
that the blacks have a mind of our own, something that Eldrige Cleaver
addresses in his book Soul On Ice. Furthermore controlling the media,
voting, transportation (all of which are the basics of a communist
revolution), the use of violence, and black-white radical unity were some of
the keys to a successful revolution in America. The second tactic of
violence, is more or less what I mentioned earlier. That there is no
revolution free of bloodshed, and ultimately the black man and black
woman will have to arm themselves and fight for equality. The chant that
they used, and also the children who were trained for the next generation
of panthers sang, "Revolution has come...time to pick up the guns."
Since many Panthers ran for office throughout the years
Newton believed that through voting, the revolutionary movement could be
elevated to that level in which people are elected that share the same
concerns and beliefs. In reference to voting the Black Panthers and all of
the Black Nationalist groups believe that there should exist a seperate
political party that represent blacks. In using this comparison today, it
would truely shake up the balance that the Democrats and Republicans have
today - of which both parties often target minorities for votes and support.
At the same time, neither party has ever voiced any sincere concern to
address black issues in this country.
Another point to mention about the Black Panthers is the Black Panther
Manifesto. Which was also called the "Ten-Point" system, and detailed a
list of demands that the Black Panther Party wanted. Some of the demands
are somewhat irrational in my opinion, but I will present them to you. They
are all paraphrased, since I read it about 4 yrs ago and have since
misplaced my photocopy. Here are the ones I remember off hand (although I
should have went to the library and got the precise Manifesto for you)
(1) All Black Jurors when Blacks are tried in court.
(2) All Blacks freed from prison because they are political prisnors.
(3) Local cops in all Black neighborhoods are to be removed and replaced
with Black Panther members who will be the protection. (this of course
is in response to the overwhelming police brutality in all the major
cities)
(4) Jobs for all Black people, and land. (based on the 40 acres and a mule
concept)
(5) Freedom and Power to determine our destiny.
(6) All Blacks exempt from military service including the draft.
What made the Black Panthers so threatning to the government was the fact
that they believed, along with the ideas of Lenin, that revolutionary
groups should not operate underground or in secrecy. But be visable to the
eye of the people and make themselves known. The Panthers were also very
successful in opening up food kitchens and feeding the poor in mass numbers.
To my knowledge, I do not know how strong the Black Panther Party is today,
albeit they are not as powerful today as they were during the height of the
party the late 1960s.
The Black Panthers were necessary to provide that balance within the Black
community. Just as W.E.B DuBois and Marcus Garvey differed, and sometimes
with harsh words (Garvey called DuBois a "white nigger") it was important
because it showed that we as a people are diverse and individuals.
Although the rhetoric was to a lesser degree with Malcom and Martin, they
too can be seen as men of diversity with a common goal. The Black Panther
Party in my opinion was the first attempt of blacks at an armed insurection
against the United States Government. There were of course several other
black militant organizations, however they were not as successful in the
recruiting of large numbers of members. The government and FBI was successs-
ful nontheless in creating dissention within the party by planting informants
that set up other Black Panthers. The government also saw fit to killing
off or imprisoning the founders and leaders to cause confusion and ultimately
shake the Party up. Almost in ever case, it was outright murder or false
charges brought against the leaders. If you pose a threat to the government
and even if you operate within the laws of the country, you are not free
from political persecution.
This is basically a brief summary of who the Black Panthers were, and the
philosophies of Huey P Newton the founder of the Party as well. Since this
whole text is not just about the Black Panthers, I kept the details to a
minimum. However check your main library where you live for various books
that I will have as suggested texts at the end of this text.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
PART THREE: ULTIMATE REBELLION!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frederick Douglas wrote, "If there is no struggle, there is no progress."
What he really meant was, that as long as we as black people in America do
not continue the fight for ultimate freedom that was planted by Douglas and
blacks before him we will never get anywhere. If you are happy and content
as a black man or black woman in this country, just go ahead and stop reading
the rest of this text right now. If you are dissatisfied, then follow along
with me.
As long as we appear to facilitate an aura of happiness, the United States
Government and the majority of white people in this country are happy as
well. What really burns me up, is that the white man "gave" (I use this word
sparingly because they have never given us jack except problems) us a few
civil liberties, and many of us have gobbled it up with a smile. If you
starve someone long enough, they will snatch up and even fight for whatever
scraps are handed down. Oh yes, fight for those little scraps amoungst
themselves indeed! But what really burns me up is the number of blacks who
realize that while they are eating crumbs, they could be eating the pie.
But if attaining that pie means giving up ones little crumbs or morsels they
fall back on the easy way out - Passive Acceptance. And passive acceptance
leds to people who do not care about their situations or what is done to
them, as long as they are getting enough crumbs to make them happy. They
see to it that we have just enough to make us happy, and do not raise the
ante until a large number of disatisfied blacks raise the stakes. Look at it
in a brief historical context. First they freed the slaves with laws that
existed on the paper but with no physical enforcement of those laws. Well the
first thing ex-slaves believed that, Hey we are free and we can do anything
that the white man can do. Wrong! They then came up with Jim Crow laws which
regulated exactly what type of freedoms we had, but made it clear that we
did not share the same fruits of freedom that they had. Well after those
laws were broken down, they came up with the plan of seperate but equal
education. This of course did not exsist, and although the Board vs Brown
decision overturned this law, we still do not have equal education and it
is still seperated. Predominantly black neighborhoods do not receive the
same amount of funds for education that white neighborhoods receive. As it
was back in the day, it is still prevelant in 1995. They have better books,
more extra-curicular activities, a better environment that is conducive to
learning. What do we get, scraps. For those of thus that do have the
oppurtunity to attend private schools they try to seperate us from our people
by conditioning us to be them. To think like them, and most importantly to
condition us to react like them. Carter Woodson said that once you control a
people's thinking, you dont have to worry about their actions. We as a
people need to reach back to our African roots, and re-develop a sense of
community. A community that is led by a council of wise elders, whose main
interests lay with that of the community and not self. And to help those in
that community that have strayed off the path of righteousness. Many of us,
not all, once succeeded have forgotten about the community. This whole ideal
of self, is purely a Western concept built on greed and American capitalism.
We as a people have been conditioned by America, to accept what she tells us
as truth. And our progress, as valiant as it may be, have been in the face
of oppression and lies. This progress has been very slow in my opinion, when
America has the tools, money, and power to correct many of these situations.
But she has not made it "policy" to do so. In fact, this country has made it
policy not to address the needs and sufferings of all her people - and the
people historically who have been at the bottom of this scale have been us.
Now we as a people in this country have not always adhered to the policy of
passive acceptance, I think this is somewhat of a modern phenomenon. From
the slave revolts led by Prosser, Andry, Vesey, and Turner proved to the
United Snakes that blacks were not happy as slaves, although they tried their
damnist to believe otherwise. The results of these insurections led to
provisions in the constitution granting southern states federal military
assistance to quell any revolts or rebellions. During most periods in our
recent history 1900-1995 there have been riots and revolts that have ravaged
every major city (and even smaller ones) in this country. The L.A riots being
the most recent. The L.A riots in my opinion was not just about the aquital
of the pigs who beat Rodney King, but it was a general outbreak of anger at
the system. But what immediatly set the fire off was the racial crimes, and
police brutality inflicted on us. Of course Bush addressed the nation after
the first two days of rioting, and announced that he would send in troops
that by the way was comprised of the same forces used to quell internal
riots during the 60s (those being marshells,fbi,fire&tobacco,etc).
"So long as the government possesses a virtual monopoly of military
power and is unencumbered by widespread internal disorder, such as that
which occurred during the Civil War, white Americans apparently see no
need to deal seriously with the factors that cause black rebellions.
Surely, the lack of motivation that afflicts many people of all races
also affects some African-Americans, but oppurtunity as well as
motivation are required to achieve upward mobility. Rebellions and
protests will continue to occur because of the continued racial and
economic inequity, unfair administration of justice, and our failure
to use the Constitution to effect needed social, economic, and political
reforms." - Black Resistance, White Law.
There are several ways to rebel, which I will explain in the next section
under Black Nationalism. Whether you fall in the most passive to the most
radical, you can decide for youself.
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PART FOUR: SOLUTIONS THROUGH BLACK NATIONALISM
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It would be very idealist if I were to say, yes I have all the solutions to
the problems that African-Americans face today. If I did, I would only be
kidding myself, and all of you that are reading this. However I would like
to explore one solution, that I believe can help us get to where we want to
go. Black Nationalism, Black Power, as a means of uplifting our community
and solving many of our problems. Black Nationalism is hard to define, as
to what it is and who fall into the various categories of Black Nationalism.
Every one of us, no matter how radical our ideas are, are Black Nationalist.
The first thing I would like to do is to define what Black Power is though.
Black Power was first really recognized in the 60s, and it was immediatly
identified with violence - thus many whites, and blacks missed the point and
dismissed Black Power. Black Power can effectivly be defined as a movement to
uplift Black people as Newton put it, "from the yoke of white colonolism".
This is where it begins, by identifying with Afrocentricity. Taking care of
ourselves as a people before anything else. The major concepts of Black
nationalism can be broken down into these categories. I feel that every
black person in this country is a black nationalist, the degrees vary as to
which philosophies you fall in.
1) Political Bargainer.
2) Moral Crusader.
3) Alienated Reformer.
4) Alienated Revolutionary.
The first concept "political bargainer" is basically the assumption that all
of our problems can be solved through working within the context of the
system. The political bargainer concept can be traced back to one uncle tom
ex-slave named Booker T Washington. Who believed that blacks should "forgive
their slave masters" and beg them for help, to slowly uplift the black
community through the white political process. In this respect, blacks could
work within the two party system for rights and oppurtunities to produce
goods and services. Current examples of those blacks that fall into this
category are Shirley Chisholm, and the Black Congressional Congress - which
brings to mind that song, what have you done for me lately heh. And this
category is definitly non-violent.
The second concept is the "Moral Crusader". Moral Crusaders are not
interested with producing goods and services, but their beliefs rest in
saving the soul of society. They are nonviolent, and believe in making deals
with the status-quo and a great willingness to compromise. The majority of
those that fall into the category of moral crusaders are religous leaders
such as Jesse Jackson and Martin Luther King., Jr. I start with the
assumption that whites are not willing to save their souls and make it policy
to effectivly address black issues. So those who fall in this category are
no better than the political bargainers. Both categories which can probably
be construed into one, is what most blacks, and whites associate themselves
with - working with an illigetimate goat for solutions that are slow, and
provide a false ideology of true freedom. I reject the idea that we need to
work within the "system" to effect change. The "majority rules" concept has
never and will never apply to us, because the democratic view of majority
rules have no interests in us. The majority is not always right, and I would
rather stand up and die like a man fighting the majority, than succomb to
them on my knees.
The third category, which I find myself in, is the alienated reformer.
Alienated reformers, are cynical about the possibilities of effecting change
through the existing system. Alienated reformers supports the concept of
Black control of Black communities based on the idea of a revitalized black
community. Alienated reformers however are interested in "bread and butter"
issues like the political bargainer, however reject all white values and
rests on the pride of Black/African culture worldwide. The politics of
alienated reformers are based in the belief that many solutions to our
problems can only be effectivly gained by working outside the context of
the system. People who fall into this category are Heuy Newton later in
his life and possibly Malcom X after his departure from the Nation of Islam.
The last category, which can be described as the most radical of the four,
is the Alienated Revolutionary. They are very much the same as the reformers
except they believe that progressive change can only be achieved through
calculated acts of instrumental violence. I believe that most blacks who
fall into this category started out in previous ones, but due to certain
events and traumatic experiences in their lives push them to these beliefs.
Most Black Power advocates who fall in this category, also believe in the
concept of a totally seperate black nation within Amerika. There are
contradictions I might add to people who fall in these categories, because
the Black Panthers who believe that violence is necessary at certain points
do not believe in a seperate nation for blacks. Other groups such as the
RNA (republic of new africa) believe that no solutions can be found within
the context of the system, and that blacks should have their own seperate
nation within the U.S. Farrakhan and Nation of Islam believers fall into
this category as well, in regards to a seperate nation, however they do not
believe in violence. Other blacks that fall in this category are Imamu
Baraka and Imari Obadele I.
You can see that just defining Black Nationalism is a task in itself, because
not all of us can particulary say we totally dismiss one concept and embrace
another. Although I personally consider myself an alienated revolutionary,
I do not dismiss the fact that violence is necessary.
America is basically made up of several ethnic groups competing for power.
If you look at Jews and Asians for example, their success in America has
come by way of strong ethnocentricty. The problem with us today is because
our success has come by way of individualism, and less emphasis on community.
As I said before, we need to go back to our roots where community was the
priority and selfish views were frowned upon and not accepted. So yes we
have gained some power, but it is in small numbers and very minimal when
you look at the situation of the entire community. This is not the case when
you look at these other ethnic groups that have achieved mass success. We
must not apologize for the existence of group power, for we have been
oppressed as a group, and not as individuals. But we have our own number of
how should I put it, sellouts, and crackers who are against any collective
black power in America. As Huey Newton put it, there can never be Black and
White Unity unless there is Black Unity.
In conclusion, I see Black Nationalism (Black Power) as our only viable
solution to directly deal with the problems we have today. When we wake up
and realize that it is only through collective power within ourselves as a
community then our actions and outcome will reflect that. Some people say
we don't have the power to achieve this on our own, and I dissagree whole
heartedly. As long as we keep listening to these white words issuing from a
black face we will never get anywhere. What we can and should do however, is
use the resources in America to get where we need to go. This should not
mean however, disregarding the community and giving up our Afrocentric roots
in doing this.
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PART FIVE: SITED TEXTS, AND SUGGESTED READINGS
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Here is a list of various texts in my own library that I have read and
consulted in writing this text. I would suggest going to the library and
checking some of these out, or buying it from your local black bookstore :)
The ones with * are my particular favorites that I have read more than once
heh.
Black Power Ideologies - John McCartney
The African Origin of Civilization - Cheikh Anta Diop
Black Americans and the FBI files - Kenneth O'Reilly
Black Resistance/White Law - Mary Frances Berry
* Soul On Ice - Elridge Cleaver
* Malcom X on Afro-American History - Malcom X
* Long Memory: Black Experience in America - John Blassingame, Berry
The Myth of Black Progress - Stanley Elkins
What They Never Told you In History - Khamit Kush
* To Die for the People - Huey P. Newton
Black Panther Party, hearing - 91st Congress
This Side of Glory - David Hilliard
Look out Whitey! - Julius Lester
Thats about it for this edition of Revolution, I hope you enjoyed it as much
as I did writing it, and instead of just deleting it - forward to a fellow
sister or brother that you know, or print it out and pass it along. Peace
Jay Jenkins aka Igwegbe/Damaja
jayj@iac.net
(NOTE from the editor: For those of you who read this magazine the first day it came out, this article may appear different. This is the completed version of "Revolution Part 2" that I had originally planned to put in the next issue of #Blaklife magazine. The author had requested that I replace the older version with this one, and so I did.)
If you are interested in writing an article for the next issue, then click here.
Thanks for reading this first issue of #blaklife magazine, and I'll see you on IRC sometime. d;-)