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Est. April 5, 2002
 
           
September 21, 2017 - Issue 712

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Wishing Malcolm Was Here!
By Dr. Carlos Russell, PhD

"There is, for African-Americans and those others
who inhabit our diaspora, as I see it, a burning
need for strong, determined, and committed leadership;
possessor of a clear vision and goal that serves to
guide our people; a leader - man or woman - with 
sense of command and loyalty."


There is a scene – a perhaps prescient and telling one—in Spike Lee’s movie “Malcolm X” - in which Malcolm, with a slight movement of his index finger, instructs members of the “Fruit of Islam” to depart from a Police Precinct. In unison, with military precision and determination, they do. The police Captain or Inspector - can’t remember which - witnessing Malcolm’s silent command is overheard saying “That man has too much power” or words to that effect. Where is Malcolm or his ideological twin now that we, once again, need his wisdom, sagacity and vision?

These are trying, treacherous, and tempestuous times … times when our people who, are still woozing from the inebriation caused by imbibing the saccharine hemlock given to them by false prophets.

Donald J.Trump, to the chagrin of most of the nation, has “bamboozled” the people and assumed the presidency. His occupancy of the office, as relatively brief as it has been, has brought little more than chaos, lies, turmoil, anger and discontent. His ship of state has been more like “a ship of fools” - without captain, compass, rudder or sails or even a clear port of call. Chaos, mayhem and confusion dances in tandem on deck. Death and destruction seemingly is all that lies ahead. I shudder at the thought! Woe be to humankind!

There is, for African-Americans and those others who inhabit our diaspora, as I see it, a burning need for strong, determined, and committed leadership; possessor of a clear vision and goal that serves to guide our people; a leader - man or woman - with sense of command and loyalty. Without this, I fear, our people will surely continue to suffer and perish; consumed by the voracious tarantula that hides and thrives in the toxic and suffocating webs of systemic and institutionalized racism as our people continue to be mesmerized by the hungry arachnids awaiting to be devoured by them.

The tell-tale signs of dread and dismay, are every where. I wish Malcolm was here; but, he is not! We must fend for selves! Yes we can! I know we can. Prior to his sowing seeds of truth searing wisdom and strength in our weary and wandering hearts, our people had been in dire need of well nourished. Unequivocally, before him, many of our ancestral warriors and griots – men and women – had also conscientiously sowed in the souls of Blacks folks seeds of liberating fruits. Slowly, with each passing day, week, month, year our people rise. One day, very soon, voices and visions will take center stage exuding all of the energy which, for centuries, have been held and repressed within us and the explosion will destroy the webs of oppression and corruption and a new nation will spring forth. Till then, I sincerely wish Malcolm was here to expedite the process.


BlackCommentator.com Guest Commentator, Dr. Carlos E. Russell, PhD is Professor Emeritus C.U.N.Y. - Brooklyn College. In the sixties, he served as an Associate Editor of the Liberator magazine. As such, he was one of the first to interview Malcolm X after he left the Nation. He is best remembered as the founder of Black Solidarity Day in New York in 1969 and as the Chair of the Black Caucus of the Conference on New Politics in 1967. In addition, he was a consultant to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the planning for the Poor Peoples March. Excerpts of his participation can be seen in Citizen King and Eyes on the Prize (PBS Mini Series Boxed Set). Born in the Republic of Panama, he has served as that country’s representative to the U.N and the O.A.S. with the rank of Ambassador. He has also served as the nightly host of “Thinking it Through” a talk show that was aired on WLIB in New York. He is a playwright and poet as well. Contact Dr.Russell.
 
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