Can we reconnect the disconnect?

Fred Hampton

I was watching a special on the life and death of Fred Hampton. Fred Hampton was the deputy chairman of the Chicago chapter of the Black Panther Party for Self Defense. But, what caught my attention, was his oratorical skills at such a young age. At 19 years of age he was able to speak in front of a crowd and maintain the crowd’s attention. He brokered a truce between Chicago street gangs and called a press conference to announce his “rainbow coalition”, a phrase later made popular by the Rev. Jesse Jackson. By age 21 he became the deputy chairman of the Black Panther party for the state of Illinois until his death in December of 1969. Seeing this young man speak (on film of course), I wondered what has happened to our youth.

Is it generational poverty?

Is it a total misunderstanding of what education is?

Are some elders to blame for not explaining what is meant when some have said we don’t need the “white man’s” education?

My brother says we are witnessing the result of crack babies, poor nutrition, and the dumbing down effect of BET, MTV and commercial rap. Could this be the case?

There was once the belief in our Black nation that an education was something no one can take from you. Has this belief left us?

Could it be the false belief one can get riches and fame without education?

Do the Lebron James’ and Jay Z’s of the world that are paraded in front of our children a contributing factor to the false belief that education is not needed?

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

Read about the murder of Chairman Fred Hampton.

The mathmatics of build and destroy.

Comments

[Lisa]

Wow. Do you ever wonder how radical you would've been had you been the age you are now - in the late 60s?? I do. I also believe that if we keep the dialogue going, we're going to talk our way to a solution for our young, black brothas and sistas!

[[Victor Amenta]]

Lisa, I pray we do come across a solution. Juan Williams wrote an article about the differences in Black people. Someting you touched on when you spoke of generational poverty.