‘Black History,’ as it is referred to in the United States, is an integral part of the everyday Black, White, Brown, Red, and Yellow ‘people’s history’ and their concomitant ongoing struggle; and it is not limited to one month out of the year.

Back in the year 2006, I wrote in The Boston Globe : “Perhaps people will stop repeating the human-made catastrophes of the past when we cease being ahistorical and truly learn from history’s lessons.” This remains accurate in this year of 2012.

History, is not a set of names, dates, and events to be regurgitated by rote. As Rosa Luxemburg wrote, “History is the only true teacher...” History, and the making thereof, does not occur or exist in a vacuum. It is living and it beckons to us. A deep knowledge and understanding of history is the essential unfinished road map from the past, and the life-blood for the present and future.

Too often, the history of everyday ordinary people (which is in fact the most important history) is omitted or distorted to serve the interests of what Howard Zinn refers to as being “those in charge of our society - politicians, corporate executives, and owners of press and television.” In this context, there have been, and continue to be, a wondrous array of everyday ordinary people who have made, and continue to make, history.

One such pantheon of everyday ordinary persons whose actions and sacrifices indelibly contributed to the history and ongoing people’s struggle of today were the women and men of the Black Panther Party. For any who would like to refresh their knowledge of the Black Panther Party, please reference the article in The Black Commentator dated October 21, 2010, titled, The Black Panther Party: Its Legacy and Impact Today.

The examples of the national free breakfast programs, free clothing programs, and free medical programs, etc. of the Black Panther Party remain as stalwart reminders of what we (everyday people of all colors) can and must do for ourselves [i.e. each other]. The Black Panther Party was formed in October of 1966, and before the end of the 20th century had been physically totally decimated by “those in charge of our society” using, among other things, the infamous and hideous COINTELPRO (Counter Intelligence Program). Nevertheless, the true legacy of the Black Panther Party continues today as an inextinguishable example of what ordinary people can accomplish, if only for a historical moment in time. History does not exist in a vacuum. History continues...

The glorious beauty and power of history is that it is a continuum, not mere singular events. But if history is to serve as the unfinished road map that it is - we must consciously learn from it - understanding that we, just plain, ordinary, everyday people are the only real modis and modum for systemic change!

Be it today’s ‘Occupy Movement’ and/or all other movements that resist tyranny, let the clarion call for action ring out loud and clear - ‘All Power To The People!’ - everyday ordinary people!

To the everyday peoples of the entire world, let us learn from and change the course of history. This is our sacred duty, as human beings, to ourselves and to Mother Earth herself! It will not be easy and no sane person ever said it would be. But it can and must be done as we press on in this protracted and ongoing people’s struggle that has it roots in history!

Onward, then, my sisters and brothers! Onward!!!

BlackCommentator.com Editorial Board Member, Larry Pinkney, is a veteran of the Black Panther Party, the former Minister of Interior of the Republic of New Africa, a former political prisoner and the only American to have successfully self-authored his civil / political rights case to the United Nations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. In connection with his political organizing activities in opposition to voter suppression, etc., Pinkney was interviewed in 1988 on the nationally televised PBS News Hour, formerly known as The MacNeil / Lehrer News Hour. For more about Larry Pinkney see the book, Saying No to Power: Autobiography of a 20th Century Activist and Thinker, by William Mandel [Introduction by Howard Zinn]. (Click here to read excerpts from the book.) Click here to contact Mr. Pinkney.