Nine Lives of a Black Panther Page 30

  The environment that we live in still cries out for the need of organized self-defense to protect the black community. Christopher Dorner, perhaps more than anyone, highlighted the unequal justice in this country. Taking a page from Mark Essex, Robert Charles, and even Tommy “Ndugebele” Harper, Los Angeles police officer Dorner went on a killing spree to protest the LAPD’s racism and ultimate termination of his employment. Dorner, who hoped to be accepted as part of a team of police officers sworn to protect and to serve, found out that he wasn’t after accusing another officer of excessive force. Like O. J. Simpson, Dorner thought that he had become one of “them,” but when he found out he really wasn’t, he suffered psychosis or a mental breakdown.

  In addition to self-defense, there is still a need to fight for affordable housing, jobs, a living wage, and adequate food and health care. Embracing Black Nationalism by advocating control of our own neighborhoods and cities could be a step in the right direction. Imagine if we were in control of a state, county, or even our city. Ronald Freeman might be a police chief or Long John a professor. Even Duck could have been a general. But people of color are still fighting for a fair chance at success. Sure, those people of exceptional ability can be incorporated into mainstream America, like Oprah, Magic, or Obama; they would be successful no matter the odds. But the real truth is revealed by how society treats the masses and those without exceptional talent or wealth.

  Although I am not advocating violence, I know that sometimes you’ve got to be ready to fight. It is better to battle and lose than to run away while telling yourself you’ve won. From my experiences, I know that life can be up and sometimes down, but either way, we must keep our eyes on the prize.

  “WAS IT WORTH IT”

  All power to the people.

  Many times over the years I’ve been asked, “Was it worth it, and would you do it again?” The answer is yes on both accounts.

  “If you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything.”

  I believe the Black Panthers and other militant organizations did more to ensure our human and civil rights than all the marching and praying of the last 100 years.

  What the power structure realized with the urban riots and the growth of the black militant movement of the late ’60s was that there was a new black man and woman in america.

  One who was willing to fight and die for human rights and black liberation.

  Huey Newton, Bunchy Carter, Field Marshal George Jackson, Joanne Chesimard, Kathleen Cleaver, Elaine Brown, Geronimo Pratt, Walter Pope, Tommy Lewis,

  Steve Bartholomew, Robert Lawrence, Fred Hampton, Mark Clark, Carl Hampton, Melvin X, Tommy Harper, and the architect of the movement Malcolm X;

  there are countless others who paid the price with their lives and freedom.

  This new black man would fight no matter what the odds.

  Was it worth it to start a breakfast for children program, which shamed the gov’t to start the Head Start Program and inspired Operation Push?

  Was it worth it to start free medical clinics?

  Was it worth it to test over 10,000 people for sickle cell?

  Was it worth it to start liberation schools?

  Was it worth it for Eldridge Cleaver, Masai Hewitt, and Stokely Carmichael to put our struggle on the international stage and make contacts with revolutionaries all over the world?

  Was it worth it for us as black human beings to practice self-defense?

  Was it worth it for Marcus Garvey to try to buy ships so we could travel to Africa?

  Was it worth it for Elijah Muhammad to start economic programs to feed and clothe ourselves?

  Hell, yes, it was worth it.

  The 10 Point Platform and program as so eloquently put by Chairman Bobby Seale and Minister Huey Newton is still a viable piece of work,

  and for this we were viciously attacked by all the force of the power structure, as organizations and as the black community as a whole.

  By the same token we have to clean up and take charge of our own house and go back to the teachings of Malcolm X and international Black Nationalism.

  Everybody in the world sees our true power but us.

  Would I do it again?

  HELL YES!

  Power to the People.