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Black Glimpse of Yesterday

Some gifts that are given to us by God should not be played with — at least that is the belief of BlackParentSpeaks.

The ‘late’ Stokely Carmichael — lka Kwame Ture — said that most difficult in life will be the commitment to ‘live for our people’. Brother Stokely expressed that anyone can die. Stokely’s thoughtful question was ‘Can YOU live for our people?’

BlackParentSpeaks has been intimately and honestly ‘involved’ in the Black Movement for what seems like a lifetime and before. My commitment has remained intact and I have, thus far, maintained my integrity. No lures, no temptations, have swayed my commitment to my people nor my commitment to justice and righteousness.

God blessed me to work alongside of such now-widely-known Brothers as Stokely — lka Kwame Ture, Marion Barry, Martin Luther King, David Eaton, Chuck Stone, and others. I witnessed our journeys together as we shared militancy, actions, emotions, thoughts, purpose, and death. Each of us was unique and yet the same. We dealt with entrapments, barriers, threats, detainments, and ever-present dangers to our livelihood, families, friends, and selves.

As part of my unique talent, I was allowed much. I remember my ‘argument of the century’ with Imamu Baraka– eka LeRoi Jones. I recall my refusal to ‘discuss’ with H. Rap Brown. And, I recall my persistent disagreement with some of the positions espoused by most-serious and astute brother Malauna ‘Ron’ Karenga. I well remember the likes of CORE’s Roy Innis and what he did that caused me to feel ‘total’ DISrespect and contempt for him! I likewise remember Andy Young and James Bevel and their ‘betrayal’ (read: “A Black Manifesto on ‘The June 24th Trick Bag’ from The Black United Front of Washington, D.C.” passed unanimously on 25 June 1968).

I think about my times of travel with the son of the Ambassador to Pakistan, the meals and talks at the home of Tanzanian Ambassador Gosbert Rutabanzibwa, my time at the OSOB while working for Senator Stephen M. Young of Ohio, dancing with Representative Charles Diggs, and more. I remember turning down a job offer from the ‘late’ Robert Kennedy and later turning down a job offer made by his brother Senator Ed Kennedy. I smile as I recall my refusal to allow Black actor Robert Hooks to pay for my meal at Ed Murphy’s Supper Club in DC.

And, I smile wryly as I remember law enforcement ‘taking me in’ for questioning because I traveled on an airplane with Dr. King’s brother — give me a break! I think about government attempts to ‘involve’ me in prison breaks and alleged ‘contracted’ killings. I remember the FBI questioning of my parents and others in the Portland, Oregon area relative to my childhood, activities, etc. As my father told me later, my father told the agents that they should be out eradicating ‘White’ racism rather than wasting monies harassing his daughter….

I remember law enforcement agents telling me that there was a contract out on my life and me telling them that the ‘moment we are born, we begin to die’…. I remember UNwanted searches, wiretaps, and more. I recall my response to law enforcement during questioning relative to Brother Muhammad Ali: ‘I knew nothing and could remember even less’.

Today, I think about the Sister who suffered a miscarriage following a scary and unexpected invasion of her home by law enforcement. Officers with guns had busted into her home as she lay in her bed. News of the invasion quickly traveled throughout DC and the ‘Word’ was that I would likely be the next target. Strapped brothers including Rev. David Eaton and Marion Barry immediately stepped forth to protect me from experiencing a similar illegal ‘surprise’ invasion….

I have always been a child of God and God has known me from the very beginning. God blessed me to work with amazing and committed individuals — Black folk devoted to righteousness. Many of the folk who I worked so intimately with have likely already ‘given up the ghost’ and moved on. BlackParentSpeaks, however, remains on earth for whatever God’s reason….

BlackParentSpeaks’ vigilance and commitment to righteousness continues. Whatever the final chapter, it has yet to be written.

‘Don’t forget our reparations’.

Feel free to share this BlackAngryWomen blog with others. We are all works in progress. Do YOU know what time it is? http://BlackAngryWomen.com/

Undying love for Black people!

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‘Black’ Militant & Revolutionary Marion Barry ‘Gives Up The Ghost’ in 2014

‘Black’ Militant & Revolutionary Marion Barry ‘Gives Up The Ghost’ in 2014

On 23 November 2014 ‘Black’ Brother Marion S. Barry ‘gave up the ghost’ in America’s Capital — Washington, DC. This BlackParentSpeaks ‘WORD’ is a brief look at — and about — Marion Barry the ‘Black’ man!

Marion and BlackParentSpeaks began our relationship as active ‘Black’ militants, revolutionaries, cohorts, intimate friends, confidants and more during the 1960’s Black ‘Movement’.

Marion Barry – what can I say?!

Marion was a worthy and memorable force to say the least. He was focused and relevant. Marion led by doing; he was an activist and Black people throughout DC – the nation’s Capital – loved him. Marion paid his dues and he was – like many of US – beyond deserving of respect, loyalty and more.

Marion spoke the language that we ‘over’stood. He was fearless in his beliefs and actions. Marion was consistent although sometimes unpredictable. He was serious about life. Marion was a true ‘player’ – a runner who also focused on US sisters.

Marion had an obvious penchant for Black women. We sometimes lamented that if ‘Whites’ were ever to ‘get at’ Marion, it would be through a sister because Marion was attractive to the sisters and often ‘tempted’…. But, Marion was Marion.

Marion was serious about who he was – ‘Dear God, please do not let me be misunderstood’….

Marion was ‘real’ and he ‘shared’ with me. When Marion drifted from who he was, it bothered him greatly. Perhaps the most notable occasion involved young Rufus ‘Catfish’ Mayfield. Marion and I ‘talked’ more than once after what happened. Marion felt ‘painful’ guilt; at times, I wonder if Marion ever truly made amends….

Marion and I and Rev. David Eaton and Stokely Carmichael and Lester McKinney and, and, and – the list goes on.

Marion and I – at times – communicated by way of a personal ‘code’. On at least one occasion, that led to a suspected bomb threat.

I am reminded of ‘Black’ actor Robert Hooks who happened into ‘Black’ Ed Murphy’s DC Club one day and soon ‘offered’ to pay for my drink. It was obvious that Brother Hooks was intending to ‘show-up’ Marion because Hooks ‘talked trash’ about Marion and the ladies…. Hooks ‘assumed’ I was Marion’s ‘date’. I ‘thanked’ Hooks for the offer but explained that Marion would pay for my drinks and anything else I ordered. Later that evening, Marion and ‘Murph’ and I shared hearty laughs….

Marion was a genuine brother who did not shy away from trouble. Marion Barry looked trouble in the eye and took action. I remember Marion showing up at my DC place-of-residence prepared to protect me from the violent advances of law enforcement. I, also, remember Marion ‘kicking in the door’ of the police paddy wagon and what ensued thereafter…. The ‘truths’ go on and on. I sometimes think about Marion and the ‘bug’ he sometimes drove. I think about Marion’s romantic and sensitive sides and more.

I recall a time when Marion and others got into an ‘alleged’ protracted gun fight in buildings along the streets of DC. Law enforcement had cordoned off the area of the ‘alleged’ shootings…. Upon learning of the situation, yours truly intervened to bring a ‘peaceful’ end to the stalemate with no resulting charges.

Marion could be relentless and persistent – a man who did not give up or give in. The DC bus ‘MAN’cott was Marion’s ‘baby’. Home Rule was Marion’s ‘baby’.

During one of the DC Black United Front (BUF) meetings, I refused to give in to the wishes of BUF Board member Marion Barry. Marion felt he could persuade me otherwise. Marion stated that he and company would come to my DC home with force. I responded that if Marion and company did show up at my place, I would ‘blow’ him away first…. Following that exchange, Marion and I BOTH burst out in laughter.

‘Black’ Marion S. Barry was a man worthy of respect and loyalty. He was true and he was human. Marion shared love, pain, and hurt as he gave to the struggle in spite of…. Marion opened doors and provided employment to DC’s ‘Black’ youth and others. He paid his dues and more.

BlackParentSpeaks remembers ‘Black’ Marion S. Barry as a man of substance and love.

‘Don’t forget our reparations’.

Feel free to share this BlackAngryWomen blog with others. We are all works in progress. Do YOU know what time it is? http://BlackAngryWomen.com/

Undying love for Black people!

http://BlackAngryWomen.com/


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Black Purpose and 2014 New Year

There are times when each of us should take leave of ‘self’ in order to truly see.  Our lives do have purpose even if we know not the purpose.  Have a useful, purposeful, and committed 2014 New Year.

In my thirst to learn and grow, I listen to what people say and I hear some things that are unsaid by others.  I see that which is oft-times unseen and I tap into my ancestors for overstanding.  I allow myself to hear and feel as I welcome and seek the wisdom that comes with Black consciousness.

We who are Black must be grounded in who we are.  The trappings of temptation abound and many of us wake up one night to discover that we, too, are lost in lascivious lifestyles that are void of purpose and commitment – void of Blackness.

Do not idolize or put on a pedestal any man, woman, or child.  None of us is perfect.  We are human and we are all capable of doing wrong and making mistakes.  Some of our mistakes and wrongs afford us and others additional opportunities to learn and grow.

Material possessions do not make any of us better than others.  Attributes that matter include involvement in and supporting us who give of ourselves for the betterment of future generations.

We who are Black must look at accountability and we must keep it relevant to who we ‘really’ are and what we should be about….  Excuses and apologies are not attractive; we must ‘keep it real’!

Offers to compromise our Blackness and to sell-out our fellow Blacks have been around for a long time.  The lures include money, sex, drugs, the facade of power, authority, stardom, celebrity status, a ‘position’ – you name it, the lures are plentiful.  Know that temptation can be a very powerful magnet.

So, we who are Black must be aware.  We must periodically give ourselves a self-constructed litmus test.  We must not get so caught up in ourselves that we become arrogant and think we are above temptation.  Strength demands awareness.  And, we must remember that ‘as long as there is breath, there is hope’.   We must love each other in spite of our mistakes.  Again, ‘as long as there is breath, there is hope’.  Undying Love for Black People!

My litmus test measures who I am.  And, it measures how far I have – or have not — progressed along the line of Black commitment.  As pointed out in an earlier post:  ‘many are called, few are chosen’….  I truly believe that I was ‘chosen’ and my life had — and continues to have — ‘purpose’.

I am in awe at the force that brought the likes of Marion Barry, Rev. David Eaton, Stokely ‘Black Power’ Carmichael (lka Kwame Ture), KoKo Hughes, Chuck Stone, Francis Welsing, Calvin Rolark, Betty Diggs, myself, and so many others together in DC during the 1960s.  Our commitment and work ignited a ‘Black’ force that reverberated throughout the world.  So many things were accomplished and we truly did ‘raise the bar’.  Many many people have benefitted as a result of the things we did and the actions that we took to bring about real change for Black people and all people.

In remembering the past, I think about Martin (Dr. King) and his ‘side’ trip to DC to speak with some of us before he returned to Memphis.  I think about Martin’s words – which I recorded — questioning whether or not White folk, in fact, had a conscience.  I think about the fact that Martin and I both knew that he would likely never return from Memphis and I remember that he was okay with whatever the future held for him.  I remember our talk and I remember that the ‘word’ was out that Martin would be killed if he returned to Memphis….

There are a lot of stories yet to be told.  Fact is, however, most of the stories from the 1960s and 1970s Black Movement will remain untold….

Feel free to share this BlackAngryWomen blog with others.  We are all works in progress.  Do YOU know what time it is?  http://BlackAngryWomen.com/

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