I give thanks to any entity that might have intervened that for the most part speakers participating in the Millions More Movement in Washington, D.C. addressed the audience without shouting. United for Peace & Justice and A.N.S.W.E.R. take note, for this I shall write the organisations and request their attention. I am the first to defend the snooze that organised religion is anathema to spirituality and often bastardises ideals of love and forgiveness, so it was a pet peeve of mine addressed by so many speakers, prayer without action, that kept me interested in a very long programme co-convened by an aberration that promotes armed struggle in defence of bigotry and racism. The show was not without its lighter moments. When Nation of Islam National Spokesman Minister Jamil Muhammad warned the gov’t to keep its hands off Louis or face the consequences I couldn’t help but laugh. If he isn’t subsidised by the same interests that hastened the demise of Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jr., Fred Hampton, and every formidable figure and movement that posed a threat to their institutions then he should be. He is certainly more valuable to them alive than dead.
Russell Simmons, in a letter dated May 9, 2005 to the Anti-Defamation League’s National Director Abraham Foxman, in response to “Foxman’s letter urging prominent Black leaders to reconsider their support” for the Millions More Movement:
You should refrain from pressuring African American leaders to denounce Minister Farrakhan and the Millions More Movement. This commemoration is as a real opportunity for establishing healing, reconciliation and fostering a more effective environment for constructive dialogue between Blacks and Jews. We want a society and world were there is no hatred, anti-Semitism, violence, or poverty. For the record, we do not and would not support or endorse any person’s viewpoint that is anti-Semitic, racist or hateful. You should, therefore, be working with us toward building more compassion and love among and between all people.
The Anti-Defamation League reduces the Black Panther Party to a brief synopsis of its origins and demise but at least acknowledges founder and member denouncements of the New Black Panther Party. Why can’t Simmons do the same, or for that matter, John Conyers, who rushed to join other Democrats’ indefensible characterisation of Ray McGovern’s remarks as “Anti-Semitic” when he said, “the ‘OIL’ syndrome, or Oil, Israel, and the Logistical ‘base’ that figures prominently in neoconservative [.pdf file] politico-military strategy for the ‘liberation‘ of the Middle East”, in response to Rep. Jim Moran’s inquiring of the Downing Street Minutes hearing panel, why did the U.S. invade Iraq? But Malik Zulu Shabazz isn’t? He can’t even answer a direct question.
Black Child’s Pledge
I pledge allegiance to my Black People.
I pledge to develop my mind and body to the greatest extent possible.
I will learn all that I can in order to give my best to my People in their struggle for liberation.
I will keep myself physically fit, building a strong body free from drugs and other substances which weaken me and make me less capable of protecting myself, my family and my Black brothers and sisters.
I will unselfishly share my knowledge and understanding with them in order to bring about change more quickly.
I will discipline myself to direct my energies thoughtfully and constructively rather than wasting them in idle hatred.
I will train myself never to hurt or allow others to harm my Black brothers and sisters for I recognize that we need every Black Man, Woman, and Child to be physically, mentally and psychologically strong.
These principles I pledge to practice daily and to teach them to others in order to unite my People.
The Black Panther, October 26, 1968
by Shirley Williams
What convoluted reasoning leads anyone to believe that Malik Zulu Shabazz cares about Black children or that his organisation deserves to capitalise upon the Black Panther name? I’d really like to know.