"If a race has no history, if it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated."
Dr. Carter G. Woodson
Black History Month?
[col. writ. 2/21/10] (c) '10 Mumia Abu-Jamal
For some reason, this February doesn't feel like Black History Month.
Historically, the long, hard history of resistance has been at the heart of the recognition, but this year seems different.
Wonder why?
Part of it must be the horrendous suffering that struck Haiti a month ago. The Haitian Revolution has been an inspiration for Blacks the world over, for over 2 centuries.
But even that doesn't explain it.
It may be the fact of a Black person in the nation's highest office - something that seemed unthinkable just a few years ago.
But that ain't all of it. For though this was unexpected and a source of immense pride, there's also the dawning recognition that, for millions of Blacks, things aren't just 'not better' - they are immensely worse.
For the brunt of the foreclosure crisis hit Blacks and Latinos who owned homes, for they were most subject to the explosive sub prime loans. As the economy fell, the Black community faced disproportionate joblessness and longer job searches.
All the indicators of social well being, health, jobs, education, police violence, judicial treatment, etc. are trending negatively.
And while polls show Blacks are the President's most loyal supporters, some must truly wonder: "Is it the most powerful politician in the country (if not the world), powerless when it comes to addressing the survival struggles of Blacks?'
Thus falls a pall over Black History Month.
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The Power of Truth is Final -- Free Mumia!
URGENT Need for Petition Signatures at: http://www.iacenter.org/mumiapetition/
Audio of most of Mumia's essays are at: http://www.prisonradio.org
Mumia's got a podcast! Mumia Abu-Jamal's Radio Essays - Subscribe at the website or on iTunes and get Mumia's radio commentaries online.
Mumia Abu-Jamal's new book -- JAILHOUSE LAWYERS: PRISONERS DEFENDING PRISONERS V. THE USA, featuring an introduction by Angela Y. Davis -- has been released! It is available from City Lights Books: http://www.citylights.com/book/?GCOI=87286100448090
If you are planning to organize an event or would like to order in bulk, you can also receive a 45% discount on any bulk orders of 20 copies or more. The book retails for $16.95, for orders of 20 copies or more the discounted price would be $9.32 per book, plus shipping and handling. Prepayment would be required and books are nonreturnable. If you or your organization would like to place a bulk order, please contact Stacey Lewis at 415.362.1901 or stacey@citylights.com
Let's use the opportunity of the publication of this brilliant, moving, vintage Mumia book to build the momentum for his case, to raise the money we desperately need in these challenging economic times, to get the word out – to produce literature, flyers, posters, videos, DVD's; to send organizers out to help build new chapters and strengthen old ones, TO GET THE PEOPLE OUT IN THE STREETS … all the work that we must do in order to FREE MUMIA as he faces LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT PAROLE OR EXECUTION!
Please make a contribution to help free Mumia. Donations to the grassroots work will go to both INTERNATIONAL CONCERNED FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF MUMIA ABU-JAMAL and the FREE MUMIA ABU-JAMAL COALITION (NYC).
Please mail donations/ checks to:
FREE MUMIA ABU JAMAL COALITION
PO BOX 16, NEW YORK,
NY 10030
(CHECKS FOR BOTH ORGANIZATIONS PAYABLE TO: FMAJC/IFCO)
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
215 476-8812
212-330-8029
Send our brotha some LOVE and LIGHT at:
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AM 8335
SCI-Greene
175 Progress Drive
Waynesburg, PA 15370
WE WHO BELIEVE IN FREEDOM CAN *NOT* REST!!
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