March 22, 1968

March 22, 1968

Adam Clayton Powell Jr., Adam Clayton Powell lll reminded me on his Facebook Timeline that on this day 53 years ago, his father returned from exile to his Harlem home and his Harlem church after 18 months in exile due to trumped up charges and being accused of character assassination of a Harlem domestic worker which lead to his being convicted of libel in a civil court and being guilty of contempt of court for failing to appear for the trial. He lost his cherished chairmanship of the Ways and Means Committee in the House of Representatives as well be denied the right to sit as the duly elected congressman because the white congressmen were looking for a way to dilute any political power blacks had in this nation. At his church that evening Adam Clayton Powell Jr. spoke of a coming racial conflict, a second civil war that was on the percepisce of occurring if this nation didn’t stop the oppressive occupation tactics that were prevalent in every black community across this nation. One of the greatest preachers and political leaders in the history of this nation Adam Clayton Powell Jr. power position in this nation was effectively diminished by a Harlem domestic worker whom he described as a bag lady. Whites in political power saw blood in the water and like sharks in a feeding frenzy attempted to destroy Mr. Powell’s political base but Harlem loved Adam Clayton Powell Jr. and they refused to knuckle over and collapse his support. Although, he eventually lost his seat to a political up and comer Charles Rangel, no one can diminish the massive contributions that Adam Clayton Powell Jr. provided to black Americans across this nation. KEEP THE FAITH BABY, DADDY’S HOME.