Imani

Historical Perspective of Imani

JoeSmokeBlackThoughts 

Faith Once You Have It Nothing Can Shake You, Quake It And Only God’s Force Can Take You!

“Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword and spear, and with a shield; but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the deliver thee into my mind hand, and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee, and I will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day unto the beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know there is a God in Israel.”

1 Samuel 17

Imani can turn a simple rock into a force of nature that can take down a nation’s oppressors.

The last day of Kwanzaa honors the principle that must be the foundation or the rock that runs within each one of us. It binds us against the harsh winds of life that sometimes will place obstacles in our path of individual and community growth. Just as David faced his demons with the faith that somehow, someway he knew his God would shield him from his enemies. David faced insurmountable odds, yet he had a faith level that was as high as the skies above him. That is what Imani is all about it is the resolute desire that when all the odds are seemingly against you. 

All one has to do is search within themselves and reach for power that ascertains each of our abilities to rise above all our circumstances and defeat the challenges that confront us. I truly believe that “our” ancestors fought against incredible odds that included bigotry, hatred, oppression, repression, depression, regression, violent evil intentions, and unheard-of inhumane actions because of the internalized force of Imani. Within our ancestor's capacity to withstand the storm and evil winds of a society hellbent on their destruction to not break from those bonds of Imani. The philosophy of Imani held each of them together who had it and allowed without it to develop Imani. 

Imani lessened the pain when events took away from the loved ones lost in the struggle for human, civil, judicial, and social rights. So as we look around our blighted communities on this first day of 2019. We all must search for our degree of IMANI and we must assist those in finding their levels of faith. No matter how minuscule that level maybe it can be elevated, heightened, and magnified to shine brightly within us. That is why the seventh day of Kwanzaa focuses on FAITH because it is FAITH that will move that mustard seed of doubt and belief in self to a gigantic mountain of belief. Imani can turn the sense of hopefulness into a force of hope that no one or nothing can stop our eventual progression towards the greatness that is due to us. 

Cinque’s faith was unyieldingly facing the oppressor’s crew of Amistad. Harriet Tubman’s faith was unyielding when she traveled into the belly of slavery to free the oppressed. Frederick Douglass’s faith and belief were strong as he sat in that train car heading to his eventual freedom from slavery. Mary Ellen Pleasant’s faith was unyielding when she put a million dollars in today’s dollar into the hands of John Brown to signal the end of the oppression of slavery. Booker T. Washington’s faith was unyielding when he ventured into Alabama to build a black historical monument named Tuskegee Institute. Mary McLeod Bethune’s faith was unyielding when born into illiteracy yet rose to the highest heights to create Bethune Cookman College and The National Association of Negro Women. Paul Robeson’s faith was unyielding when Mr. Robeson sought to fight the fight against the genocide of African American peoples in this nation. Uncle Moses’s faith was unyielding when he stood in the racially tinged courtroom and pointed to the murderers of his nephew Emmitt Till knowing he was potentially signing his death warrant. Malcolm X’s unyielding faith that he could refuse to continue a life of criminality to become one the singular black leaders this nation has ever produced. Rosa Park’s faith was unyielding when Rosa refused to give up her seat on that bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Martin Luther King Jr.’s faith was unyielding when he faced down the racist whites whose only goal was to silence his movement and his voice. The Freedom Riders' faith was unyielding when they decided to challenge the institutional world of southern segregation. The SNCC workers who traveled from the comfort of their northern and eastern homes faith was unyielding when they decided to venture into the belly of the beast of racism for Freedom Summer. Adam Clayton Powell’s faith emboldened him to challenge the bigotry and hatred of the American Government. The southern sharecroppers of Mississippi led by Fannie Lou Hamer’s insurmountable faith gave them the power to challenge the powers of the Democratic National Party and President Lyndon Baines Johnson. Bobby Seale and Huey Newton’s faith was unyielding when face to face with stormtroopers of Ronald Reagan’s California law enforcers and justice evaders, whenever challenges were presented faith was required and faith was found by those who seek justice. 

Yes, there will continue to be rocky roads or obstacles but belief in unity, self-determined effort, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, unyielding purpose, creative thought, and action, tied to the faith in ourselves and others will secure the desired results. Our black communities will indeed overcome and the day will come when all of God’s children will seek love, not hate and truly build the community of man. That was I feel the original purpose of Kwanzaa it was meant to build a humane driven society. Let’s all reach for those principles every day we live.

Faith/Imani 

When all those around you say it’s a waste

Heck, even your family leaves you with a bad taste

That’s when you had better make haste

You see you have to be the one who leads this dream chase

That’s why the most important theme is for YOU to keep faith

You see, YOU, are the most important cog in this here race

So make sure that you stand firmly and solidly in place

Don’t let disbelievers spin YOUR dreams aimlessly out in space

Some would love to see your brain encased in thick mace

However, stay around those you believe YOU are becoming an ACE.

So remember to score and soar realizing your dreams your indeed make you ROAR

You can defeat those Goliath’s that come at you with just a little more faith

The caravan inside you indeed keeps your dreams safe

Those barking dogs once defiant don’t stop you from being self-reliant

The words that they utter don’t have to make you stutter 

Or make your dreams melt like hot butter

You see the life that you are living

Makes it possible for you to start giving

You see that dead lion over there you are certainly outliving

Find folks who believe and stay away from all that deceive

It’s vital that you perceive or your dreams well you will grieve

You have been caught by those nasty dream thieves

Finally, please affirm it will assure your inner self that you have confirmed

That dream YOU hold is not damaged it is gonna go and be met long-term.

You have just been REAFFIRMED and CONFIRMED.

So just remember the importance of focused alignment

It will protect against any destructive dream alignment 

I hope that these seven days have bought you some knowledge and understanding of this black man's view of Kwanzaa.  Let’s make this year 2019, the year that black bodies are left standing, and humanity and love of each other is what everyone in our communities is demanding. So have a great remainder of this first day of 2022 and I do hope you enjoyed my week of celebrating my historical interpretation of Kwanzaa's enlightened principles.

Sam Jones played college ball in Durham, North Carolina, during the height of southern segregated universities. The other university in town now a basketball powerhouse with mostly black 5 star athletes was at that time lily white. He came to North Carolina Central University for their great coach John McLeadon when into the for two years and returned to play for Coach McLeadon’s successor Floyd Brown in 1956. He averaged about 18 points a game in college was was known for his pinpoint jumper. After the 1957 season he was drafted by the Red Auerbach’s Boston Celtics to fill the role of backup guard behind starters Bob Cousy and Bill Sharman. Little did Red Auerbach know that the prize the team drafted sight unseen was going to become on of the greatest clutch shooters in NBA history. Just as he averaged 18 points a game at North Carolina Central, Sam Jones averaged 18 points a game for the Celtics where he and KC Jones formed a backcourt that carried the Celtics that won 8 rings together while Sam Jones won 10 rings personally as a Celtic. When the game was on the line in the closing down time for the W that’s when Sam Jones shined. Like taking his famed jumper over the outstretched hands of Wilt Chamberlain to take down the 76ers in a game seven decider, or the Lakers in game seven with that deadly jump shot. I remember going down to the Baltimore Civic Center and watching the Bullets play the Celtics and seeing those great Celtics teams and they were great teams. They played as one unit and played with precision. They would cut the Bullets up surgically and then Red Auerbach would light up a damn cigar noting another Celtics victory. Sam Jones seemed to make every shot he took which he didn’t but I never remember Sam Jones missing an open jumper. Every Sunday the Celtics would be featured on ABC’s game of the week playing either the 76ers, Lakers, or the Knicks it seemed. Sam Jones what a great player. Sam Jones died today at 88 years of age. You won’t see all those tributes that came earlier this week when John Madden died. Why? Because Sam Jones lived and played during a period when black ball players didn’t have media jobs after the games ended. Heck, Sam Jones retired to being a substitute teacher in Maryland not a cushy analyst job on National Television. That jumper though, sweet.

https://youtu.be/6DiUAMzOAaI

Today, on the 6th day of Kwanzaa we celebrate the remarkable spirit of KUUMBA/CREATIVITY that resides in each and every one of us. It is the creative spirit aligned with the love of community and those that reside in those communities that make the spirit of Kwanzaa come alive in each of us. If we totally immerse ourselves in creativity whether that creativity resides in the arts, business, self-improvement, faith, athletics, written word then our communities will again thrive as our remarkable ancestors would have wanted. So today I will bring to my BLOG seven of creations that came from within me to celebrate CREATIVITY, enjoy and have a safe new year's eve night as we launch into 2022 with renewed faith in each other and our abilities to rise above our circumstances.

Growing Up Black I’m Not Going To Backtrack

Growing up in the ghetto as a kid you knowingly feed me lead
You knew all that lead would eventually mess up my head
Damn, why is that lead so close to my bed?
Then you put me in broken classrooms to stunt me
Teachers not teaching they even affronting me
Teachers not reaching can”t hear them is that police sirens screeching
Preachers still preaching dare say some are just leeching?
Communities collapsed around churches but hey they still preaching
Now that you’ve stunted me, mentally and physically confronted me
Tell me why America or you are now simply man-hunting me
My dreams and education are stunted
Walking through broken communities feeling affronted
Constantly badgered as well as confronted
Concerned, disengaged and seemingly man-hunted
This America is how many blacks see justice as fronted
Tell me why America that just being black
Cuts you no slack, justice is constantly turning it’s back
Policeman always looking to attack they never fallback
This country for some blacks is truly just whacked
Injustice and lies are forever seemingly stacked!

I’M BLACK EVERY DAY OF MY LIFE, EVEN IN STRIFE I’D CHOOSE MY BLACK LIFE 

You can stack the deck
You can even let justice continue to go unchecked
Hell, you can even make me sweat
My mind is strong on this here though you can bet
Being black wasn’t a choice I was given
But living black is this life has been my thanksgiving
Hell even if this life at times can be absolutely unforgiving 
You see through all the strife
I’d still choose this here BLACK life
Dammit to hell I’d even choose to be BLACK in the after-life
So don’t you dare think I beholden 
To all that economic power you are holding
You see we got a new nation of young blacks in need of molding
The black race my friends is far from simply unfolding
You see I don’t hate all whites 
Only the ones that attempt to lower my sights
Or the ones looking to destroy my rights
You see being black can mean facing many slights
Oh oh hell when you hit it?
Damn being black oh my what lights, what heights
So come to my blackness except for some fights
You see what those poor white’s fail to see
Being black can set your mind free
It also means no looking up from a denied knee
Living black is my ultimate choice
Standing up with a mighty strong voice
Can’t you see that being black is definitely ME
Look around at all the best, when blacks do it they outshine all the rest
Hell even in these decrepit school we still pass all your tests
So all this talk about you being the best?
Would you please just give it a rest
Oh, yeah, we gotta stop all these black folks from needlessly dying
It should help if the police just stopped adding to these poor mother’s crying
They complicate matters without even really trying
They shoot us even if we seem to be complying
And that my friends are so damn horrifying
America, justice for all creeds is what you should be supplying
So stack the deck
Neglect paying that reparation check
Even though most of our communities remain a wreck
Most of our schools are absent of any new tech
Many in our communities don’t even get a paycheck
Yet, all in all when I make my call 
It’s in the black lines this here brother will fall
You know what I’m black as I can be
And dammit I will forever stand TALL
Bold, Brash, and 100% Black never questioning that at all
Dubois, Coleman, King, Vesey, Garvey, Turner, Hamer, Malcolm, and Stokely
They all had black skins and where each was definitely smoking
So this brother is never thinking about doing no cloaking
Challenge my blackness that thought is certainly provoking!

Oh I Am So Secure That Fannie Lou Hamer Is Inside My Soul 

Today is a Fannie Lou Hamer type of day
Why you say, is it that type of day?
You see to me and others know that Fannie did things her particular kind of way
Fannie never allowed injustice to stick around without some Hamer say
That’s why to me this is indeed a Fannie Lou Hamer type of day
She lived six decades on this here earth and for that, she earned a hero’s berth
You see Fannie Lou Hamer fought all of her battles on enemy turf
She desired for all of her people some good free earth
That’s why to me this type of day demands that Ms. Fannie Lou Hamer rebirth
So when my soul feels a little uneasy, and my thoughts aren’t quite breezy
Heck I may even think folks are treating me a little bit sleazy
That’s when I act out the call for Ms. Fannie Lou Hamer’s words to stand tall
You see that secures that my beliefs will never ever fall
That is also why no matter what bad intentions may befall
That special part of my ancestry will build me up like King Saul
You see Fannie Lou Hamer never wanted us to be backed up against a hater’s wall
Her stature may have been small but Fannie’s was packaged with power
Which demanded that sister would never ever cower
You see Fannie Lou Hamer was sent to this earth to empower
She had an incredible will and unbelievable brainpower
Her words and her deeds combined to create awesome firepower
That’s why today is a Fannie Lou Hamer type of a day
Why you say is it that way
Simply because even now through it all Fannie still leads the way
Fannie’s words and her deeds deliver the special type of a ray
That ensures that for me this is indeed a Fannie Lou Hamer type of day
I’m so secure that Fannie walks with my stride
You see Fannie never pits me against an unbeatable tide
I am with Miss Fannie along with a BIG FREEDOM ride
Her words and her deeds will forever be my secure guide. 

WHY IN THE HELL ARE WE STILL TALKING ABOUT GETTING SOME ACTION?

400 years and still we wait; 
from denied action; 
from lethal action;
from Jim crow action; 
from economic inaction;
from drug-induced reaction;
from overseas military action;
from coming home from wars without rights action;
from misplaced affirmative action; 
from little or no damn action; 
from police state murderous action;
it's about time for some real strategic, creative balancing the scale action;
for some truth, economic and racial equality across the board action; 
400 years and still we wait;

Chuck Berry, America Owes You Bigtime

Hey those strings flicking
The chords are clicking
The rock and roll bomb is ticking
This is Chuck Berry’s way of politicking 
Damn his fingers gliding
The sounds are thriving
Erasing racial tensions 
Jim Crow’s dancing 
Jane Crow prancing
This ain’t no ballroom dancing
Ain’t no squares doing this damn dancing
Just maybe for this 90-minute set equality is advancing 
How you going hate when the groove has…
……Gotcha, Gotcha, …..Gotcha you GONE
Damn that soul is smooth
You see racial hate it seems to soothe
When that brother’s playing racism is on the move
How you going to hate when Johnny B’s so cool
How you going hate when Beethoven just rolled over
How you going hate when you just pulled my whoops
How you gonna hate when you got no particular place to go
How you gonna hate when Maybellene just high-stepped across the stage
How you gonna hate when you reeling and rockin’
How you gonna hate when you too pooped to hurl a slur
How you going hate when Chuck than showed you, soul's ultimate promised land
How you going hate when you can hardly stand 
Damn that brother’s guitar is best in all the land
Chuckie B’s is quite the artist for 90 minutes at a time
Chuckie B sweated out hate and Jim Crow’s demise was its fate
How you gonna hate when Chuckie B is playing is on the school grounds
Damn that brother’s got some cool sounds
Chuck Berry’s playing rock and roll on the fairgrounds
Even at 90 years old Chucky B still had the groove
America you still have so much to prove
You see Chuck only wanted people of all colors to groove TOGETHER.

“Justice Suffers Still”

From Plymouth Rock To Standing Rock
From Jamestown To North Charleston
From slavery’s bonds to filled black jail cells
Where is justice for those who suffer
Why doesn’t this country have a judicial buffer
The problem of the 20th century is the problem of what?
How can those words so clearly spoke in 1903 still be prevalent today
How say you WEB, how can you be so clairvoyant?
How is it that those words you spoke still resound in America today?
How can those bound in darkened skin 
Still, face this harshened hated wind
Tell me why racial hatred is still an enduring sin?
Which way did they say justice bends
In my mind, I ask only when will all this hatred and madness end. 

Don’t Get Mad, Sad or Break Bad Build Some Black Economic Power Comrades 

Obama said black reparations were in order but they would cause white America complete disorder
So we had put our own economic houses in some type of order
We in the black community can’t seem to turn over a dollar
Yet some of these black folks don’t seem to holler
Why in the hell are we so fucking tight in the collar
It’s not as if some of us won’t beat the hell out the scholar
Asians, Arabs, and Greeks spend all our money
They even buy their own honey 
While we remain meek and that church wants me to turn that other cheek
While the black pastor’s vehicles are so sleek
Is that the reason our community remains so economically weak
Is it because we won’t accept a valid critique?
It’s like saving our dollars is so damn mystique
Others can do it so let’s learn those money saving techniques
We act as if saving our dollars makes us all weak
Hell we rather buy our kids Jordan’s and build that company’s dollar
Then have our black children be labeled as geeks
This stupid ass spending money strategy really needs a damn tweak
Why you stand in the sneaker line all the damn week
Just keep buying Nike’s you will never peak
Turning over our money why is that so unique
You see with money comes the power that we all surely seek
We can all decide to open black-owned only boutiques
That’s when all of the companies will listen when we speak
You see now blacks will have the power of thousands of sheiks
Companies like Nike, Apple, and Macy will finally freak
Because lines for buying Nike’s will become so antique
And all of our black dollars are no longer headed up the creek
The sight of those saving dollars will make rich white people reek
You see no longer will black folks avoid cash saving techniques
So don’t get mad, sad or break bad
We have to something significant comrade
If you read this you know that these words ring so true
Black people need an economic breakthrough
We need to find that black money savings guru
Stop wasting our monies on the latest hairdo
Or popping those bottles with gold-laden corkscrews
You see spending our dollars with no aim in sight
Only ensures our black dollars take flight
That my friends bring our enemies delight
It also keeps our communities in despicable blight
You see our communities are so damn scattered in thought
The idea of saving our monies well that wasn’t taught
Opening black-owned businesses that went for naught
Standing in lines for Nike’s oh that disease was now caught
The battle for black economic independence needs to be fought
So don’t get mad, sad or break bad
We need to start saving our monies comrades
Black economic wealth is now on the launchpad
If we don’t try to build it it will continue to make others glad

As we continue to live in communities stark raving mad
Cooperative Economics is the only way to GO so get to it NOW and create a dynamic NEW SHOW.

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE 

NIA "PURPOSE" 

"When nobody else is moving and the students are moving, they are the leadership for everybody.” 

Ed King 

Mississippi Civil Rights worker 1963

In conjunction with my efforts to focus historically on the seven principles of Kwanzaa, today I will direct my historical perspectives to the principle of Nia. I wanted to ensure that my younger brothers and sisters out there comprehend the historical importance of developing a true sense of purpose in their lives. Our black ancestors who were facing insurmountable odds defied those who sought to bind them in continued bondage. During the civil rights movement, they aligned themselves with a strong sense of purpose. Which allowed them the ability to fight and think with that element of Nia. In doing so they worked together to make our days we have today so much better then what the were encountering daily. Our ancestors did indeed energize those who started the illustrious cause to project black power and black people’s belief in-self so that the decision to forge ahead daily against those racial barriers wasn't insurmountable. So today’s essay on NIA (PURPOSE) is a historical perspective of four separate experiences that truly illuminated the Kwanza element of Nia that each of us should continue to ingrain in our daily lives.

Off the beaten path of America’s soiled path of dishing injustice in America, I always think about these towns and counties as the heartbeats of the revolutionary movement in the history of the civil rights struggle in America. Oh, of course, you can easily recognize the cities of Selma, Montgomery, Birmingham, Washington DC, Oakland, Harlem, and Memphis. All of these cities played a significant role or were the sight of magnificence for events that moved the needle of equality and justice in America for blacks forward. However, today’s “historical perspective on Nia”  directs itself to 4 tiny hamlets that indeed exhibited the truest atmosphere of revolutionary confrontation against injustice. The efforts were led our young black ancestors in this nation during the decade of the 1960s. This is the 55th year since the birth of the Black Panther Party for Self Defense as well as the 55th since the birth of Kwanzaa. I could’ve focused my attention on the singular action of those brothers and sisters of the Bay Area as I discussed Nia this morning. However, in these 4 enclaves Nia by the supposed meek amongst us defined action against the most powerful elements of institutional racism. 

Do I do these hamlets in alphabetical order? I could start with Cambridge, Maryland since it is located about 73 miles from where I grew up. Gloria Richardson had already lived 40 years when she was thrust into the fight for civil rights in 1962. Gloria was not a lady to be trifled with by those in the white establishment. Gloria Richardson was also not one to turn the other cheek when she was confronted by those dishing injustice. Not many amongst male or female have the courage to face down eye to eye an M-16 bayonet rifle like Gloria Richardson did. Nor, confront the highest law enforcement official in this nation with a sense of total defiance like Gloria Richardson to Robert Kennedy in 1964. Not many people know this, but only three women spoke during the historic March on Washington in 1963. Daisy Bates, who played the lead role in desegregating Central High School in 1957, Josephine Baker, and Gloria H. Richardson. Daisy spoke for all of 90 seconds and Gloria Richardson said hello upon being introduced and had the microphone snatched from her. Not many people know that the black community’s first lady of civil rights Rosa Parks was at the March on Washington in 1963 but even Rosa Parks was given the opportunity to speak to that massive crowd. I’ve come to find out that the Robert Kennedy’s Justice Department controlled the microphone and speaking systems on the Mall that day. Josephine Baker's speech was historic she spoke with such purpose and eloquence that summer August afternoon in 1963. Those controlling the microphone probably knew that they couldn’t control Gloria Richardson’s fiery voice or her demand for justice whatever the cost. Gloria Richardson also invited H. Rap Brown to speak in Cambridge, Maryland after she met him in New York City. Brown was chairman of SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee) at the time. It was at the speech that Brown proclaimed the following; “if America doesn't come around, we’re gonna burn it down”. Well, Cambridge, Maryland did, in fact, burn after Brown’s speech. However, it was not the sole reason for the community’s outrage. The outburst of violence may have been instigated by the speech. However, the absolute atmosphere of oppression and repression which forced the majority black population of Cambridge, Maryland to live like second-class citizens was the actual cause of the riot in 1967. Throughout the movement in the sixties whenever Gloria Richardson was called to speak she was met with the highest esteem in our black communities. If you were young, black and proud and from Maryland, you knew the name, Gloria Richardson. One of the most iconic photos of that period of time is Gloria Henderson staring down the barrel of a rifle held by a Maryland National Guard Trooper. Gloria Richardson was about living black militancy while fighting for equality and justice. Gloria Richardson was never about seeking fake dollars or projecting her feminine power by shaking her hips or wearing scanty clothes on her body. Gloria Richardson and the black peoples of Cambridge, Maryland fulfilled the promise and principles of Nia.

Greenwood, Mississippi, why you say this small Mississippi hamlet, well, one simple reason and one simple date in time. Greenwood on located on the edge of Mississippi Delta. So many of our brothers and sisters made their way too Greenwood, Mississippi to fight for the civil rights of people who were shackled by the oppressive hatred of segregation. Yet, on June 16, 1966, two words evoked by Stokely Carmichael brought the world’s attention to this hamlet soiled in racist injustice. Two words that demanded that peoples oppressed and repressed would no longer be the willing victims of injustice without reaction. Two words that were heard on the streets of Oakland that moved two brothers to define that reaction later that year with the development of a Nia-driven organization, The Black Panther Party For Self Defense. Those two words Black Power changed the direction of the movement for civil rights that summer night. The black ancestors in Mississippi answered the call and response that summer night and  America would never be the same again. So my brothers and sisters on that day and on that field for all the world to hear. The cause of the movement was defined and the time for our people to gain hope was now beyond reproach, Black Power, say it loud and say clear, Black Power. That is why Greenwood, Mississippi should still mean so much to those in our black communities today. Had not Stokely evoked the words as well as provoked the listening black nation? The dynamic words that moved a nation of black peoples. Two words that would excite the movement in Oakland that birthed the Black Panthers for Self Defense later that year? Brother Carmichael spoke that night and many nights after of a collective black power which involved economic, judicial, civil, educational power. All these facets of black power in the hand of the many in our black communities. Stokely wasn’t speaking of black power in the hands of just a few black elites. Stokely demanded that black power is derived and centered on the common man encompassing all our black brothers and sisters. The accumulated wealth that was driven in White America by segregation and prejudices had to be redistributed. Understand this my younger readers you cannot wear a revolution, you cannot dance and gyrate your way to equality and justice. Stokely asked that night in Greenwood, Mississippi for the common black man and woman to demand a higher purpose towards real change. We as a community of people are still seeking that change and we can only achieve by unity of Nia. 

Let’s move on to Jonesboro, Louisiana, 1964,  the south was no place for any black man wanting to fight for his freedom. Although, the civil rights freedom movement focused on the Gandhian principle of non-violence. The reality of the situation was that the need for protection for those who sought to fight for rights needed armed protection. They could indeed be killed without impunity, they could be murdered in plain sight by any white person a simple urge to kill or silence a voice demanding change. If a justice-seeking person either black or white put himself out on the battlefields fighting injustice. That person placed a huge target on your chest for those searching to murder and silence them. So tired of seeing his churches and institutions being threatened Earnest “Chilly Willy” Thomas 29 years old at the time decided to create an organization that would protect those who couldn’t seemingly protect themselves. Deacons for Defense and Justice was created to protect those in dire need of protection was the cause. Why deacons; the term ‘deacons’ was selected to beguile local whites by portraying the organization as an innocent church group. Did these brothers act righteously protecting those who worked to provide rights to those languishing in oppression and repression? You, damn right they did. Also, did the Deacons For Defense impact the brothers on the west coast? Did they along with Stokley Carmichael ignite starting a movement that built an organization that would address this aspect of community protection? You damn right they did. Oh, and the Deacons for Defense and Justice yeah they were patrolling for grounds in Greenwood, Mississippi the night Stokley Carmichael made his dynamic call for black power. Those brothers understood that evil never understood nor accepted the concept of nonviolence. Those who dealt injustice and hatred were always on the watch to instigate vengeance. The Deacons For Defense very presence mitigated these hateful folks efforts mightily. That is why Jonesboro, Louisiana means something special and should always mean something to all of us in the black communities. This is why Ernest Thomas understood the principle of Nia which directed his actions to protect and defend those who fought for our freedoms.

Finally, the final hamlet of confrontation against those who repressed and oppressed, Lowndes County, Alabama you need to etch this area in Alabama in your mind forever. It was in this county that the symbolic symbol of the black panther was born. You know that black panther, that sleek, powerful black panther that symbolized the west coast organization in Oakland, California. Well before the brothers and sisters selected the black panther as the symbol this black panther appeared in Lowndes County, Alabama. It was the symbol of the Lowndes County Freedom Organization. The magnificent body of black men and women developed LCFO as an all-black, independent, political party, the original Black Panther Party. There in Lowndes, as he was in Greenwood, Mississippi was Brother Stokley Carmichael organizing for SNCC to register voters in a county where 80% of the residents were black but not one black was registered to vote in 1965. With the passage of the Voting Rights of 1965, the effort began to register every single black person in Lowndes County, Alabama. It was the plan of SNCC’s leaders to take away the power of those whites who had dished oppression and created repressed and horrible conditions for black people in that Alabama county. In 1965, they chose the black panther as the symbol of the party; “The Black Panther is an animal that when pressured it moves back until it is cornered, then it comes out fighting for life or death. We felt we had been pushed back long enough and that it was time for Negroes to come out and take over.” It was the intention of those now granted the right to vote to utilize every available resource to ensure that the takeover of Lowndes County, Alabama by its majority black populace would be successful. Hence, the creation of their own political party and because every party in Alabama was required to have a symbol the black panther was born. Although the election was stolen by whites using fraud, voter intimidation, voter suppression the fact that in a little less than an eleven month period of time. These warriors for justice proved to themselves and others in that community that this political party would be a force to be reckoned with, not only in Lowndes County, Alabama but in the entire nation. From this hamlet, the call was heard that black power could become a realization, not just some black man’s imagination. From Lowndes, Alabama where also the Deacons for Defense and Justice protected those who couldn’t protect themselves.  From Lowndes County, Alabama Stokley Carmichael honed a ten-point plan for blacks in America to begin to gain their voice and hence their power. It was from all these efforts from these tiny hamlets and small towns the confrontational process of gaining respect and self-worth was being maximized. The residents of Lowndes County, Alabama stuck the bell loudly for our civil rights and they indeed defined action with purpose. We must never forget their efforts to achieve justice for Black Americans, and all righteous Americans in this nation.  So, today our communities can lift up the word Nia in our homes today. If we understand our ancestors and elders sacrifices maybe we wouldn't easily pull the trigger against our black brothers and sisters? If you hear the towns of Cambridge, Greenwood, Jonesboro or Lowndes County mentioned you had to stand up and felt the power of Nia because Nia indeed drove their actions to better our lives today.