The real tragedy of black male/female relations is that if we have not processed our issues resulting from our addiction to white supremacy, even under the best of circumstances we cannot enjoy each other. Even when the pussy bill is paid (and the dick bill) there is often so much baggage from the past that no amount of money will suffice( the black bourgeoisie women live with golden handcuffs because even with money and material things, they are yet prisoners of love, abused and dominated like common ghetto nigguhs--some go it alone or have boy toys or girl toys) to allow the relationship to flourish, thus it stumbles and fumbles and the wrong words are said (the psycholinguistic crisis to fuck shit up--silence is golden and ESP) when everything should be beautiful, since money is not the problem. But, alas, up pop head trips, sex guilt, shame, trauma from past relationships, garbage that has not made it to the dustbin because people like to hold onto shit for dear life, but the result is dear death. As Dr. Hare says, no about of money, sex, drugs, religiosity can satisfy the social angst and shattered cultural strivings. We must liberate our consciousness then deal with liberating our reality. It is not a lost cause, just a long process back from the residue of slavery. Try another hundred years.
How many of us discover our bliss or true mission in life? We spend a lifetime dealing with family, children, job, but as Nancy Wilson sang, "I've never been to me...." When the Creator calls, we must answer or simply tread water until we drown because until we discover our true purpose in life no woman or man will suffice. And often our partner is going through the same process, trying to discover self since most of us do not examine self let alone study and recognize the self of our partner. See my poem You Don't Know Me. As for myself, I think I've destroyed enough women trying to be a lover, husband, partner when my mind, body and soul was always somewhere else. Mama said I didn't need a wife, rather a maid, secretary and mistress. I think I better spend the rest of my time on this earth expressing truth as I know it. Do I have seven more years to trip in a relationship filled with trauma and unresolved grief?
You Don't Know Me
By Marvin X
You don't know me
you had a chance to know me
before we made love
you had a chance to know my mind
understand my fears
learn about issues
help me heal some things
but you wanted to make love
so you don't know me
we made love
but you don't know me
don't have a clue
think I'm a good dick
or some good tight pussy
but you don't know me
and never will now
because you wanted to make love
you wanted to get a nut
we didn't even talk much
a little bit leading up to sex
I went along
I was horny too
but you don't know me
and I don't know you
now we never will
we blew it forever
because we made love
too fast too quick too soon
now you think you own me
I can't breathe
can't talk on the phone to friends
because we made love
because I gave you some dick
you gave me some pussy
now I'm no longer human
I'm your love slave
you're my slave
we're in love
but you don't know me
we gonna get married
but you don't know me
we're gonna have children
but you don't know me
you're gonna beat my ass
but you don't know me
you're going to jail
but you don't know me
we're getting a divorce
but you don't know me
now we're friends
"Just Friends" Charlie Parker tune
But you don't know me
and never will.
Monday, August 31, 2009
What is 'Richard'' Marvin on about ?
For the Burt Bacharach and Hal David song, see What's New Pussycat? (song).
What's New Pussycat? is a 1965 comedy film directed by Clive Donner and starring Peter Sellers, Peter O'Toole, Romy Schneider, Capucine, Paula Prentiss and Ursula Andress. It was Woody Allen's film debut, as well as his first produced script. The Academy Award-nominated title song by Burt Bacharach (music) and Hal David (lyrics) was sung by Tom Jones. The movie poster was painted by Frank Frazetta.
''' Yet you love that Tom Jones hit Hey Pussy Cat! ''' Is he having trouble with language ? Or just his memory ?
---
'''And who is without sin up in here? '' Count me in on that, I'm probably not the only one in the group either.
'''The real crime is that we speak English, this is the crime against humanity, but some want to nic pick and cherry pick and cotton pick the language of the devil, trying to purify it of its profanity and obscenity, which is impossible-' ''
No, Americans speak a dialect of British English, not English, there is a difference, all languages have their own 'dialect' movement within them, either, to pose extremes, Imperial or communist.
The king james Bible is British English, not the language of the English at the time of it's writing. Its been used both as dictionary and thesaurus in the states, Which is why people outside of the USA, say the Americans speak a lot of rubbish.
'''When we liberate ourselves from this hellhole, another language will be a necessary part of our liberation, until then we are stuck with the devil's tongue which we can redefine as part of our human right to self determination. Until then, I suggest silence and ESP--yes, the devil is in the language and you can't take him out.''
The ruling class rule, because the working class cannot beat them in the language game, the Arabs 1,400 years ago did precisely that, both classes spoke Arabic.
The same in Russia in 1917, both classes spoke Russian.
People listening to idiots who self profess to be revolutionaries, who speak the language of the gutter, will not change anything, except by reaction, as in Germany in 1933. So stop listening to perverted idiots, who live in the gutters, and speak the language accordingly.
Shakespeare used much gutter language, if he had published now, much of his work would be banned, but as its been softened, its now literature, poetic licence, but it's different in ordinary speech.
I want to know why a man can't say what the fuck he want to say the way he want to say it?
Gerald Ali:So what's wrong with being polite while doing it ?
Take care ''Richard''. X.
p.s. Hey 'Richard'' X you do have flashes of inspitration sometimes ---'' like trying to clean up the Catholic church of perverted priests--get rid of them and you have no Catholic church''
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------
----- Original Message -----
From: Marvin X Jackmon
To: Sent: Sunday, August 30, 2009 8:02 PM
Subject: [blackantiwar] The Psycholinguistic Crisis of the North American African
Mama Ayanna MashamaAugust 30 at 11:17am Reply
How come you call the black men brothers and the women they may be having sex with pussy? Could you call her sistar in the least (and don't come at me with I have an inferiority complex because I'm a woman who enjoys having sex with men :-).
Marvin X JackmonAugust 30 at 11:35am
Perhaps I suffer a psycholinguistic crisis. What do you think? And who is without sin up in here? You revolutionaries have no sense of humor--even the right wing is funny with their stupid shit. Yet you love that Tom Jones hit Hey Pussy Cat! You can call me Dick--it's OK--I'm not offended by anything coming out of people's mouth. I'm gonna laugh my way out of this sick society because it's really funny as hell to me. Wasn't slavery funny, sharks chasing Africans across the ocean, but the real sharks were on the ship as captain. And four centuries later we are the sardines still devoured by the sharks. But then, the day will come when the hunter is captured by the game. Ain't this funny?
Marvin X JackmonAugust 30 at 11:55am
I want to know why a man can't say what the fuck he want to say the way he want to say it? Do you tell Chris Rock or Cat Stevens to shut up and change their language. The real crime is that we speak English, this is the crime against humanity, but some want to nic pick and cherry pick and cotton pick the language of the devil, trying to purify it of its profanity and obscenity, which is impossible-- you can't take motherfucker out of the Motherfucker' s language, like trying to clean up the Catholic church of perverted priests--get rid of them and you have no Catholic church. Some of you act like the Puritans who came on the Mayflower instead of the Good Ship Jesus with Capt. John Hawkins of Amazing Grace fame.
As I've said in the Psycholinguistic Crisis of the North American African, the rappers have made millions for themselves and billions for the white man saying three words: bitch, ho and mothefucker. When we liberate ourselves from this hellhole, another language will be a necessary part of our liberation, until then we are stuck with the devil's tongue which we can redefine as part of our human right to self determination. Until then, I suggest silence and ESP--yes, the devil is in the language and you can't take him out.
If I said sister, some don't want to be called sister. Some don't want to be called queen.Some say they ain't African, that's a Latin term. So what are you, exactly, and when did we get a consensus on the matter. As Sun Ra said, "You're idea is not my idea of somebody else's world." I know I mis-quoted him, but you get the point.
For the Burt Bacharach and Hal David song, see What's New Pussycat? (song).
What's New Pussycat? is a 1965 comedy film directed by Clive Donner and starring Peter Sellers, Peter O'Toole, Romy Schneider, Capucine, Paula Prentiss and Ursula Andress. It was Woody Allen's film debut, as well as his first produced script. The Academy Award-nominated title song by Burt Bacharach (music) and Hal David (lyrics) was sung by Tom Jones. The movie poster was painted by Frank Frazetta.
''' Yet you love that Tom Jones hit Hey Pussy Cat! ''' Is he having trouble with language ? Or just his memory ?
---
'''And who is without sin up in here? '' Count me in on that, I'm probably not the only one in the group either.
'''The real crime is that we speak English, this is the crime against humanity, but some want to nic pick and cherry pick and cotton pick the language of the devil, trying to purify it of its profanity and obscenity, which is impossible-' ''
No, Americans speak a dialect of British English, not English, there is a difference, all languages have their own 'dialect' movement within them, either, to pose extremes, Imperial or communist.
The king james Bible is British English, not the language of the English at the time of it's writing. Its been used both as dictionary and thesaurus in the states, Which is why people outside of the USA, say the Americans speak a lot of rubbish.
'''When we liberate ourselves from this hellhole, another language will be a necessary part of our liberation, until then we are stuck with the devil's tongue which we can redefine as part of our human right to self determination. Until then, I suggest silence and ESP--yes, the devil is in the language and you can't take him out.''
The ruling class rule, because the working class cannot beat them in the language game, the Arabs 1,400 years ago did precisely that, both classes spoke Arabic.
The same in Russia in 1917, both classes spoke Russian.
People listening to idiots who self profess to be revolutionaries, who speak the language of the gutter, will not change anything, except by reaction, as in Germany in 1933. So stop listening to perverted idiots, who live in the gutters, and speak the language accordingly.
Shakespeare used much gutter language, if he had published now, much of his work would be banned, but as its been softened, its now literature, poetic licence, but it's different in ordinary speech.
I want to know why a man can't say what the fuck he want to say the way he want to say it?
Gerald Ali:So what's wrong with being polite while doing it ?
Take care ''Richard''. X.
p.s. Hey 'Richard'' X you do have flashes of inspitration sometimes ---'' like trying to clean up the Catholic church of perverted priests--get rid of them and you have no Catholic church''
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------
----- Original Message -----
From: Marvin X Jackmon
To: Sent: Sunday, August 30, 2009 8:02 PM
Subject: [blackantiwar] The Psycholinguistic Crisis of the North American African
Mama Ayanna MashamaAugust 30 at 11:17am Reply
How come you call the black men brothers and the women they may be having sex with pussy? Could you call her sistar in the least (and don't come at me with I have an inferiority complex because I'm a woman who enjoys having sex with men :-).
Marvin X JackmonAugust 30 at 11:35am
Perhaps I suffer a psycholinguistic crisis. What do you think? And who is without sin up in here? You revolutionaries have no sense of humor--even the right wing is funny with their stupid shit. Yet you love that Tom Jones hit Hey Pussy Cat! You can call me Dick--it's OK--I'm not offended by anything coming out of people's mouth. I'm gonna laugh my way out of this sick society because it's really funny as hell to me. Wasn't slavery funny, sharks chasing Africans across the ocean, but the real sharks were on the ship as captain. And four centuries later we are the sardines still devoured by the sharks. But then, the day will come when the hunter is captured by the game. Ain't this funny?
Marvin X JackmonAugust 30 at 11:55am
I want to know why a man can't say what the fuck he want to say the way he want to say it? Do you tell Chris Rock or Cat Stevens to shut up and change their language. The real crime is that we speak English, this is the crime against humanity, but some want to nic pick and cherry pick and cotton pick the language of the devil, trying to purify it of its profanity and obscenity, which is impossible-- you can't take motherfucker out of the Motherfucker' s language, like trying to clean up the Catholic church of perverted priests--get rid of them and you have no Catholic church. Some of you act like the Puritans who came on the Mayflower instead of the Good Ship Jesus with Capt. John Hawkins of Amazing Grace fame.
As I've said in the Psycholinguistic Crisis of the North American African, the rappers have made millions for themselves and billions for the white man saying three words: bitch, ho and mothefucker. When we liberate ourselves from this hellhole, another language will be a necessary part of our liberation, until then we are stuck with the devil's tongue which we can redefine as part of our human right to self determination. Until then, I suggest silence and ESP--yes, the devil is in the language and you can't take him out.
If I said sister, some don't want to be called sister. Some don't want to be called queen.Some say they ain't African, that's a Latin term. So what are you, exactly, and when did we get a consensus on the matter. As Sun Ra said, "You're idea is not my idea of somebody else's world." I know I mis-quoted him, but you get the point.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Mythology of Pussy, Hottest Book in Oakland
Mythology of Pussy, Hottest Book in Oakland!
The hottest book in Oakland is not on the New York Times best seller list. And it will never be, more than likely. Over the last forty years, none of Marvin X’s writings have been reviewed in the major media, but in the black underground he is the most prolific writer. The Last Poets say he writes a book a month. In April he finished the first draft of his memoir of Eldridge Cleaver in three weeks. A few days ago he began writing an essay entitled Mythology of Pussy, a manhood training manual for brothers—and for sisters as well, telling them to look at the opposite sex with the lens of spirituality, rather than viewing each other as sexual objects.
The title alone is causing men, women, youth and children to snatch the pamphlet out of his hand. He was downtown Oakland asking for donations for the pamphlet, getting between $1.00 and $5.00. For those with no money, he gave it away. When Marvin handed the pamphlet to a father, his little daughter tried to snatch it out of his hand. He resisted and told her let him read it first, then she can read it. A teenager grabbed the pamphlet and wouldn’t release it, even though she didn’t have any money. She would have dragged the poet down the street if he didn’t let go of the Mythology of Pussy.
And when he ran out of copies for the day, a mature black woman was very angry he didn’t have any more after seeing him passing them out. He promised her he would return today with a fresh batch hot off the press.
If you want a copy, come down to 14th and Broadway, downtown Oakland. Even Joyce Gordon of the Joyce Gordon Gallery where Marvin will sign his Cleaver book on Saturday, August 1, --3-5pm, took a copy to her gallery and began reading it aloud to customers. She returned to tell Marvin when he wants to know more about pussy, come see her. She has a few things to say. A conscious brother who read the pamphlet said he agreed with Marvin that manhood and womanhood training is the order of the day. The theme is about overcoming domestic and street violence, especially over pussy. Too many brothers must go to court mandated anger management classes because they think they own the pussy. Even the girls think they own the dick--witness NFL quarterback McNair who was shot to death by his girlfriend because she thought he had too many pussies. Marvin says too many brothers are in jail and prison because they tried to pay their pussy bill with ill gotten gain.
Figure out a way to hustle without killing and destroying lives with dope, the pamphlet suggests.
Mythology of Pussy Comments
I admit the title turned me off-no man would ever lay his hands on me with that kind of language, but you have plenty to say and you say it like it is --even if it makes you feel uncomfortable.
--C. Mixon
-
-Don't send me anything vulgar like this. My mother didn't talk like this.
--D. Jackmon
--My pussy ain't no myth!
--Anon
--Take me off your mailing list.
--Dr. E. Allen, Umass
I want my son to read this with a man, not with me.
-Rashida M
I wish I'd read this when I was 18. It would have saved me a lot of trouble with women. I would have recognized who they are and who I am as a spiritual being.
--Reginald J.
Marvin, you and I should have read this when we were 17. Would have saved women a lot of hell.
--Lumukanda
Do you have a brown bag? I can't take this back to work, might get fired.
--Anon
I put it in the trunk of my car--can't take it in the house, my wife will kill me.
--Conway J
Is Mythology of Pussy Pornographic? OPD Swoop Down on Marvin X
As Marvin X continued his literacy and educational campaign at the crossroads of Oakland, 14th and Broadway, he was suddenly surrounded by Oakland police who jumped out of three cars to see if he was passing out pornographic literature. At first the officers stopped another street brother for questioning. When he was found not to be on probation or parole and had no warrants, he was free to go, although he was told he looked like the guy who was shooting at them last night and they are watching him. Then the third police car arrived and the officer came to Marvin X, saying he had received a complaint someone was passing out porno. Marvin X's books were on display, including the "best seller" Mythology of Pussy. He asked the officer would he like a copy. The officer said no and didn't bother to peruse it. He turned to join his fellow officers who continued to chat for several minutes before departing.
Other than the visit by Oakland's finest--who now have a new police chief brought in from Long Beach, CA, Marvin had a good day at his outdoor classroom. One mother got Mythology for her daughters. Another woman got two copies, one to send to a cousin in Texas. Another mother told her daughter to see how much money she had. The girl said 75 cents. The mother said, "Give it to him. Do you see that lock on the cover?" She was referring to the cover art with the chastity belt.
When youth claim they have no money, not even a dollar, Marvin has an angel who promptly gives the poet a dollar. The angel tells the person he is willing to give a dollar to possibly save their life. Indeed, if one reads Mythology, it will help them in their male/female relations, making them understand patriarchal domination must be eradicated.
At Oakland Art and Soul festival last weekend, one woman told Marvin X she thoroughly enjoyed reading Mythology and was so happy to see a man saying the things Marvin said, some of which she had not heard before. Many young men are reading Mythology to "get up on their game." If they want more game, wait until they read his soon to be released The Wisdom of Plato Negro, A Hustler's Guide to Game.
Marvin has also released a pamphlet entitled Inside Baraka's The Toilet, A Love Letter to Gay and Lesbian Youth. It is a attempt to reach out to touch the growing population of gay and lesbian youth who hang out in the downtown area.
Oakland Man Jacked in Sacramento For Mythology
An Oakland man made the mistake of showing his copy of Mythology of Pussy to a group of young black males. He said they read parts of the pamphlet and refused to give it back to him. They said he could leave the apartment where they were gathered, but they were not giving him back the controversial manual on manhood and womanhood training. Young black males claim they can "up their game" by reading the pamphlet.
In Oakland, psychologist Dr. Lige Dailey, drove his Cadillac convertible to Marvin X's outdoor classroom at 14th and Broadway to obtain his copy. Superior Court Judge Gordon Baranco got his on the way to court.
At Rite Aid Drug Store, a young clerk had three copies of Mythology stolen by co-workers. Marvin gave her another copy and told her to take it home and don't show it to anyone on the way home or when she gets home. Several people reported to Marvin how their friends stole their copy or took it from their house and refuse to return it.
The poet's micro-credit plan is still working. Persons without money get the pamphlet on credit. Every day people return with the five dollar donation. He received a $20.00 donation from some.
Is Mythology of Pussy for Whites Only?
The white man who read Mythology was indeed an arrogant, upper class capitalist swine. He also told me he would not help me publish How to Recover from the Addiction to White Supremacy because he and his brothers/friends are not trying to recover from white supremacy--they love it and will bomb the world to keep it. As the agent for my archives, he says he's done more for me than anybody else, so don't say he's not helpful. He's also the agent for the archives of Eldridge Cleaver, Ishmael Reed, David Henderson, Joyce Carol Thomas and others. He claims to have helped get the MLK, Jr papers to Stanford. So there appears to be a degree of schizophrenia in this white man, along with his air of white supremacy. The truth is that Mythology of Pussy was written for human beings everywhere, especially men, who suffer the addiction to white supremacy with notions and actions of domination and oppression, especially of women. With respect to black people, I wrote it for them because so many brothers are in jail, and sisters, as a result of partner violence.
Here in the Bay a black man just shot is ex-girl while she worked as a bridge toll taker--shot her in the booth. Then he drove to the parking lot and killed her boyfriend who'd dropped her off to work. Two people are dead and he may qualify for the death penalty--so a total of three people may lose their lives behind pussy. As we know patriarchal notions of domination is a pandemic and I want my brothers, whoever they are, to wake up and smell the pussy of a new day in male/female relations. I just heard a report of Sec. of State Hillary Clinton's trip to Africa. The African woman claim they are treated like shit by their men and pray for a better day, no matter what religion, tribe or ethnic group.
Mythology of Pussy on Tour
Not since the Black Panthers invaded the California State Capitol in 1967, has a group of people rocked the area. On Saturday afternoon four people came into the area for a book party in Elk Grove at the home of James and Renee Sweeney. Sweeney is a political wheeler-dealer with an office across the street from Gov. Swartznegger's headquarters. The Sweeney's agreed to host a book party for Marvin X. Marvin arrived with his colleague, Ptah, one of the brightest students to come out of the San Francisco State University Black Studies department. Also traveling with "Plato Negro" were singer/guitarist Rashidah Mwongozi and choreographer/dancer Raynetta Rayzetta. When they arrived at the Sweeney residence they immediately went to the backyard to sit by the man made lake. Soon people began arriving. Sweeney had told Marvin to expect a mixed crowd--from the suites to the streets. And so it was. The first guest was a black woman administrator of a 100 billion
dollar insurance fund, the second largest in the state of California . She was followed by artists, painters, entrepreneurs, and common people. All came seeking light and love.
After the crowd socialized and enjoyed a pot luck dinner, Sweeney asked Marvin to begin. Unlike his friends who came to the area with guns in 1967, Marvin came with his pen, his books and team of performers in the Black Arts Movement tradition. He signaled for Rashidah to begin with a song. She opened with a tribute to her father as a black man in America . When she concluded three original songs, brother Ptah came forward with two poems, the second was Can You Spare Some Change. As he neared the end of Spare Some Change, Marvin joined him with his poem Can You Change. The audience was ecstatic. It was the best rendition of the two poems together. Too bad the poets didn't put it out during the Obama campaign.
I should mention that Ptah had made opening remarks that this gathering should and must happen at least once a month throughout black America , coast to coast. As Dr. Hare suggested, we must organize these peer group meetings to address our mental health issues as we recover from the addiction to white supremacy. In Marvin's remarks, he said we must first detox then recover, as Ptah wrote in his afterword to How to Recover from the Addiction to White Supremacy. Detox involves stopping the conspicuous consumption of white supremacy goods--all that shopping at the mall for goods we don't need just want, out of boredom and the lack of spiritual harmony with ourselves, our mates, children and friends--out of harmony with nature itself. When a brother asked a question about spirituality, he was answered by a call and response reading of Marvin’s poem What If. This was the climax of the afternoon.
Ptah told his mentor that while he was reading What If, Ptah looked at a woman who was reciting with her eyes closed but smiling in a state of total joy. Ptah said he heard someone say the event was better than church. Sweeney, who knew the audience, told Marvin later that he had touched some nerves, especially with his remarks on white supremacy—there was several people who are suffering white supremacy on the job and were very sensitive to his remarks and found them refreshing.
When “Plato Negro” had mentioned the Harvard professor, Gates, who failed the tone test recently, a brother said he was happy to know the tone test: when stopped by the police, one of three things can happen: the police can arrest you, kill you or release you, based on your tone of voice.
The book party was to celebrate the release of his memoir Eldridge Cleaver, My Friend the Devil, but little of the discussion was about the Cleaver book. Marvin only read a few pages from his memoir, even though Jimmy Garrett calls it the funniest book of the year. Mythology of Pussy was the best seller. The evening ended with introductions from all present. Again, people present came from a variety of backgrounds, expressing the diversity of black life. We encourage such gatherings at least once a month from coast to coast so we can begin the healing from the ravages of white supremacy--but the focus is our spirituality. We must find the safe space wherein we can gather to share, to release the pain and trauma so often held inside until diseases result. There is much trauma and unresolved grief in our community and we must have such communal gatherings to heal and transcend to higher ground.
Mythology and Revolution
The real mission of the Marvin X Literary Revolution is to spread literacy. After all, with half high school students dropping out of school in the urban cities, how many of them can read his or any books? Educators must first get Johnny's attention somehow, then take Johnny up the road to literacy by holding his attention with relevant information in a language he can at least partly identify with. For sure, once Johnny gets into Mythology of Pussy, he will quickly discover my language is beyond the vernacular and reflects my education, even though I flunked English grammar, but I know enough to teach it on the university level. So the reader will find himself/herself with the need to grab the dictionary because I do know more words than motherfucker and bitch.
But let's be real, how many men in the hood have asked a woman for some vagina? White people or white black people may say, "Give me some vagina," but where I come from it's, "Baby, give me some pussy, please," although I advocate not asking for the pussy. Let the woman give it to you, since it's hers to give. Furthermore, I advocate silence and ESP in black communication since "the devil" is in the language. Look how stupid and silly some of us are reacting to the term pussy.
So the objective is literacy and I found out long ago when I taught English in secondary schools that the first order of business is to get the student's attention. Once you have their attention, learning can begin. In my case, students got so inspired they asked me to read my poetry during lunch and after school. Yes, students surrounded me during lunch and demanded I read my poetry because it was in a language they could understand and identify with. They came into my class after school and demanded I again read to them.
When I told them to read my poetry, they said, "No, Teach, you read it. We like the way you read."
When this happened to me, it made we reflect on post-slavery education when it is said they had to beat the students out of the classroom because they didn't want to go home, the thirst for learning was so great, in contrast to today when we must beat them into the classroom, unless we can get their attention and inspire them to learn with the thirst of their ancestors.
My colleague (Brother Ptah) and I have been working on the Hug A Thug Book Club to inspire literacy. "Hug A Thug Before the Thug Hugs You!" Paul Cobb added, "Crack a book before you're booked for crack!" Brothers write me from prison and jail to send them my books, but I am honored when these so-called thugs buy my books before they go to jail as Paul Cobb suggests. Although I understand jail and prison is the first time some black men get "time" to read, so I don't mind sending them books.
In these tight economic times, many brothers and sisters don't have money for books. When a young father told me the other day he didn't have money for Mythology of Pussy because he had to get his two sons haircuts, I started to give him the pamphlet. But I did not, instead I reflected to myself that the father better get them information to save their lives rather than a haircut. And when a mother said she was going to read the pamphlet herself rather than give it to her 15 year old son, I told her, "OK, but when Dante goes to juvenile hall for assaulting his girlfriend, don't call me." Another mother was simply embarrassed to have her son read it, especially in her presence. She said, "I don't want him to read this with me. He can read this by himself." Many parents have so much sex guilt and shame they cannot discuss sex with their children. This is why I call for manhood and womanhood training rites.
At the Berkeley Flea Market, an African man came by with a group of young African American males I suspected were in a group home or foster home. The African let me know he had received his manhood training in Africa, so I told him to give it to the boys with him. He said, "Yes, yes, yes."
As Brother Lumukanda, noted, if he and I had received Mythology of Pussy when we were 17, it would have guided us on the right path regarding gender roles or sexual identity confirmation. We would have had better manners and morals. So many of our youth are suffering a sexual identity crisis, they can't decide whether they are straight or gay. But this was/is the purpose of manhood and womanhood training, to help them decide. See Jomo Kenyatta's classic Facing Mount Kenya, his ethnography of the Kikuyu tribe in Kenya--their life and death, work and play, sex and family. President Obama, himself a product of Kenya, said notable things in his speech to the NAACP but perhaps because he lacked manhood training did not suggest it as a solution to African American youth. He said they must stop trying to get into the NBA and instead get MBAs and science degrees, and aspire to be scientists rather than rappers. I agree totally, unless they are going to rap freedom songs/poems.
Sonia Sanchez asks, "Will your book free us?"
I was so happy shortly after Obama was elected when I heard a young man on the bus in Oakland say, "Man, I'm so happy he is president. Now I got somebody else to look up to beside rappers." Yes, I was proud to hear this young man say this, even with a grill in his mouth--the grill made his remarks more profound!
The hottest book in Oakland is not on the New York Times best seller list. And it will never be, more than likely. Over the last forty years, none of Marvin X’s writings have been reviewed in the major media, but in the black underground he is the most prolific writer. The Last Poets say he writes a book a month. In April he finished the first draft of his memoir of Eldridge Cleaver in three weeks. A few days ago he began writing an essay entitled Mythology of Pussy, a manhood training manual for brothers—and for sisters as well, telling them to look at the opposite sex with the lens of spirituality, rather than viewing each other as sexual objects.
The title alone is causing men, women, youth and children to snatch the pamphlet out of his hand. He was downtown Oakland asking for donations for the pamphlet, getting between $1.00 and $5.00. For those with no money, he gave it away. When Marvin handed the pamphlet to a father, his little daughter tried to snatch it out of his hand. He resisted and told her let him read it first, then she can read it. A teenager grabbed the pamphlet and wouldn’t release it, even though she didn’t have any money. She would have dragged the poet down the street if he didn’t let go of the Mythology of Pussy.
And when he ran out of copies for the day, a mature black woman was very angry he didn’t have any more after seeing him passing them out. He promised her he would return today with a fresh batch hot off the press.
If you want a copy, come down to 14th and Broadway, downtown Oakland. Even Joyce Gordon of the Joyce Gordon Gallery where Marvin will sign his Cleaver book on Saturday, August 1, --3-5pm, took a copy to her gallery and began reading it aloud to customers. She returned to tell Marvin when he wants to know more about pussy, come see her. She has a few things to say. A conscious brother who read the pamphlet said he agreed with Marvin that manhood and womanhood training is the order of the day. The theme is about overcoming domestic and street violence, especially over pussy. Too many brothers must go to court mandated anger management classes because they think they own the pussy. Even the girls think they own the dick--witness NFL quarterback McNair who was shot to death by his girlfriend because she thought he had too many pussies. Marvin says too many brothers are in jail and prison because they tried to pay their pussy bill with ill gotten gain.
Figure out a way to hustle without killing and destroying lives with dope, the pamphlet suggests.
Mythology of Pussy Comments
I admit the title turned me off-no man would ever lay his hands on me with that kind of language, but you have plenty to say and you say it like it is --even if it makes you feel uncomfortable.
--C. Mixon
-
-Don't send me anything vulgar like this. My mother didn't talk like this.
--D. Jackmon
--My pussy ain't no myth!
--Anon
--Take me off your mailing list.
--Dr. E. Allen, Umass
I want my son to read this with a man, not with me.
-Rashida M
I wish I'd read this when I was 18. It would have saved me a lot of trouble with women. I would have recognized who they are and who I am as a spiritual being.
--Reginald J.
Marvin, you and I should have read this when we were 17. Would have saved women a lot of hell.
--Lumukanda
Do you have a brown bag? I can't take this back to work, might get fired.
--Anon
I put it in the trunk of my car--can't take it in the house, my wife will kill me.
--Conway J
Is Mythology of Pussy Pornographic? OPD Swoop Down on Marvin X
As Marvin X continued his literacy and educational campaign at the crossroads of Oakland, 14th and Broadway, he was suddenly surrounded by Oakland police who jumped out of three cars to see if he was passing out pornographic literature. At first the officers stopped another street brother for questioning. When he was found not to be on probation or parole and had no warrants, he was free to go, although he was told he looked like the guy who was shooting at them last night and they are watching him. Then the third police car arrived and the officer came to Marvin X, saying he had received a complaint someone was passing out porno. Marvin X's books were on display, including the "best seller" Mythology of Pussy. He asked the officer would he like a copy. The officer said no and didn't bother to peruse it. He turned to join his fellow officers who continued to chat for several minutes before departing.
Other than the visit by Oakland's finest--who now have a new police chief brought in from Long Beach, CA, Marvin had a good day at his outdoor classroom. One mother got Mythology for her daughters. Another woman got two copies, one to send to a cousin in Texas. Another mother told her daughter to see how much money she had. The girl said 75 cents. The mother said, "Give it to him. Do you see that lock on the cover?" She was referring to the cover art with the chastity belt.
When youth claim they have no money, not even a dollar, Marvin has an angel who promptly gives the poet a dollar. The angel tells the person he is willing to give a dollar to possibly save their life. Indeed, if one reads Mythology, it will help them in their male/female relations, making them understand patriarchal domination must be eradicated.
At Oakland Art and Soul festival last weekend, one woman told Marvin X she thoroughly enjoyed reading Mythology and was so happy to see a man saying the things Marvin said, some of which she had not heard before. Many young men are reading Mythology to "get up on their game." If they want more game, wait until they read his soon to be released The Wisdom of Plato Negro, A Hustler's Guide to Game.
Marvin has also released a pamphlet entitled Inside Baraka's The Toilet, A Love Letter to Gay and Lesbian Youth. It is a attempt to reach out to touch the growing population of gay and lesbian youth who hang out in the downtown area.
Oakland Man Jacked in Sacramento For Mythology
An Oakland man made the mistake of showing his copy of Mythology of Pussy to a group of young black males. He said they read parts of the pamphlet and refused to give it back to him. They said he could leave the apartment where they were gathered, but they were not giving him back the controversial manual on manhood and womanhood training. Young black males claim they can "up their game" by reading the pamphlet.
In Oakland, psychologist Dr. Lige Dailey, drove his Cadillac convertible to Marvin X's outdoor classroom at 14th and Broadway to obtain his copy. Superior Court Judge Gordon Baranco got his on the way to court.
At Rite Aid Drug Store, a young clerk had three copies of Mythology stolen by co-workers. Marvin gave her another copy and told her to take it home and don't show it to anyone on the way home or when she gets home. Several people reported to Marvin how their friends stole their copy or took it from their house and refuse to return it.
The poet's micro-credit plan is still working. Persons without money get the pamphlet on credit. Every day people return with the five dollar donation. He received a $20.00 donation from some.
Is Mythology of Pussy for Whites Only?
The white man who read Mythology was indeed an arrogant, upper class capitalist swine. He also told me he would not help me publish How to Recover from the Addiction to White Supremacy because he and his brothers/friends are not trying to recover from white supremacy--they love it and will bomb the world to keep it. As the agent for my archives, he says he's done more for me than anybody else, so don't say he's not helpful. He's also the agent for the archives of Eldridge Cleaver, Ishmael Reed, David Henderson, Joyce Carol Thomas and others. He claims to have helped get the MLK, Jr papers to Stanford. So there appears to be a degree of schizophrenia in this white man, along with his air of white supremacy. The truth is that Mythology of Pussy was written for human beings everywhere, especially men, who suffer the addiction to white supremacy with notions and actions of domination and oppression, especially of women. With respect to black people, I wrote it for them because so many brothers are in jail, and sisters, as a result of partner violence.
Here in the Bay a black man just shot is ex-girl while she worked as a bridge toll taker--shot her in the booth. Then he drove to the parking lot and killed her boyfriend who'd dropped her off to work. Two people are dead and he may qualify for the death penalty--so a total of three people may lose their lives behind pussy. As we know patriarchal notions of domination is a pandemic and I want my brothers, whoever they are, to wake up and smell the pussy of a new day in male/female relations. I just heard a report of Sec. of State Hillary Clinton's trip to Africa. The African woman claim they are treated like shit by their men and pray for a better day, no matter what religion, tribe or ethnic group.
Mythology of Pussy on Tour
Not since the Black Panthers invaded the California State Capitol in 1967, has a group of people rocked the area. On Saturday afternoon four people came into the area for a book party in Elk Grove at the home of James and Renee Sweeney. Sweeney is a political wheeler-dealer with an office across the street from Gov. Swartznegger's headquarters. The Sweeney's agreed to host a book party for Marvin X. Marvin arrived with his colleague, Ptah, one of the brightest students to come out of the San Francisco State University Black Studies department. Also traveling with "Plato Negro" were singer/guitarist Rashidah Mwongozi and choreographer/dancer Raynetta Rayzetta. When they arrived at the Sweeney residence they immediately went to the backyard to sit by the man made lake. Soon people began arriving. Sweeney had told Marvin to expect a mixed crowd--from the suites to the streets. And so it was. The first guest was a black woman administrator of a 100 billion
dollar insurance fund, the second largest in the state of California . She was followed by artists, painters, entrepreneurs, and common people. All came seeking light and love.
After the crowd socialized and enjoyed a pot luck dinner, Sweeney asked Marvin to begin. Unlike his friends who came to the area with guns in 1967, Marvin came with his pen, his books and team of performers in the Black Arts Movement tradition. He signaled for Rashidah to begin with a song. She opened with a tribute to her father as a black man in America . When she concluded three original songs, brother Ptah came forward with two poems, the second was Can You Spare Some Change. As he neared the end of Spare Some Change, Marvin joined him with his poem Can You Change. The audience was ecstatic. It was the best rendition of the two poems together. Too bad the poets didn't put it out during the Obama campaign.
I should mention that Ptah had made opening remarks that this gathering should and must happen at least once a month throughout black America , coast to coast. As Dr. Hare suggested, we must organize these peer group meetings to address our mental health issues as we recover from the addiction to white supremacy. In Marvin's remarks, he said we must first detox then recover, as Ptah wrote in his afterword to How to Recover from the Addiction to White Supremacy. Detox involves stopping the conspicuous consumption of white supremacy goods--all that shopping at the mall for goods we don't need just want, out of boredom and the lack of spiritual harmony with ourselves, our mates, children and friends--out of harmony with nature itself. When a brother asked a question about spirituality, he was answered by a call and response reading of Marvin’s poem What If. This was the climax of the afternoon.
Ptah told his mentor that while he was reading What If, Ptah looked at a woman who was reciting with her eyes closed but smiling in a state of total joy. Ptah said he heard someone say the event was better than church. Sweeney, who knew the audience, told Marvin later that he had touched some nerves, especially with his remarks on white supremacy—there was several people who are suffering white supremacy on the job and were very sensitive to his remarks and found them refreshing.
When “Plato Negro” had mentioned the Harvard professor, Gates, who failed the tone test recently, a brother said he was happy to know the tone test: when stopped by the police, one of three things can happen: the police can arrest you, kill you or release you, based on your tone of voice.
The book party was to celebrate the release of his memoir Eldridge Cleaver, My Friend the Devil, but little of the discussion was about the Cleaver book. Marvin only read a few pages from his memoir, even though Jimmy Garrett calls it the funniest book of the year. Mythology of Pussy was the best seller. The evening ended with introductions from all present. Again, people present came from a variety of backgrounds, expressing the diversity of black life. We encourage such gatherings at least once a month from coast to coast so we can begin the healing from the ravages of white supremacy--but the focus is our spirituality. We must find the safe space wherein we can gather to share, to release the pain and trauma so often held inside until diseases result. There is much trauma and unresolved grief in our community and we must have such communal gatherings to heal and transcend to higher ground.
Mythology and Revolution
The real mission of the Marvin X Literary Revolution is to spread literacy. After all, with half high school students dropping out of school in the urban cities, how many of them can read his or any books? Educators must first get Johnny's attention somehow, then take Johnny up the road to literacy by holding his attention with relevant information in a language he can at least partly identify with. For sure, once Johnny gets into Mythology of Pussy, he will quickly discover my language is beyond the vernacular and reflects my education, even though I flunked English grammar, but I know enough to teach it on the university level. So the reader will find himself/herself with the need to grab the dictionary because I do know more words than motherfucker and bitch.
But let's be real, how many men in the hood have asked a woman for some vagina? White people or white black people may say, "Give me some vagina," but where I come from it's, "Baby, give me some pussy, please," although I advocate not asking for the pussy. Let the woman give it to you, since it's hers to give. Furthermore, I advocate silence and ESP in black communication since "the devil" is in the language. Look how stupid and silly some of us are reacting to the term pussy.
So the objective is literacy and I found out long ago when I taught English in secondary schools that the first order of business is to get the student's attention. Once you have their attention, learning can begin. In my case, students got so inspired they asked me to read my poetry during lunch and after school. Yes, students surrounded me during lunch and demanded I read my poetry because it was in a language they could understand and identify with. They came into my class after school and demanded I again read to them.
When I told them to read my poetry, they said, "No, Teach, you read it. We like the way you read."
When this happened to me, it made we reflect on post-slavery education when it is said they had to beat the students out of the classroom because they didn't want to go home, the thirst for learning was so great, in contrast to today when we must beat them into the classroom, unless we can get their attention and inspire them to learn with the thirst of their ancestors.
My colleague (Brother Ptah) and I have been working on the Hug A Thug Book Club to inspire literacy. "Hug A Thug Before the Thug Hugs You!" Paul Cobb added, "Crack a book before you're booked for crack!" Brothers write me from prison and jail to send them my books, but I am honored when these so-called thugs buy my books before they go to jail as Paul Cobb suggests. Although I understand jail and prison is the first time some black men get "time" to read, so I don't mind sending them books.
In these tight economic times, many brothers and sisters don't have money for books. When a young father told me the other day he didn't have money for Mythology of Pussy because he had to get his two sons haircuts, I started to give him the pamphlet. But I did not, instead I reflected to myself that the father better get them information to save their lives rather than a haircut. And when a mother said she was going to read the pamphlet herself rather than give it to her 15 year old son, I told her, "OK, but when Dante goes to juvenile hall for assaulting his girlfriend, don't call me." Another mother was simply embarrassed to have her son read it, especially in her presence. She said, "I don't want him to read this with me. He can read this by himself." Many parents have so much sex guilt and shame they cannot discuss sex with their children. This is why I call for manhood and womanhood training rites.
At the Berkeley Flea Market, an African man came by with a group of young African American males I suspected were in a group home or foster home. The African let me know he had received his manhood training in Africa, so I told him to give it to the boys with him. He said, "Yes, yes, yes."
As Brother Lumukanda, noted, if he and I had received Mythology of Pussy when we were 17, it would have guided us on the right path regarding gender roles or sexual identity confirmation. We would have had better manners and morals. So many of our youth are suffering a sexual identity crisis, they can't decide whether they are straight or gay. But this was/is the purpose of manhood and womanhood training, to help them decide. See Jomo Kenyatta's classic Facing Mount Kenya, his ethnography of the Kikuyu tribe in Kenya--their life and death, work and play, sex and family. President Obama, himself a product of Kenya, said notable things in his speech to the NAACP but perhaps because he lacked manhood training did not suggest it as a solution to African American youth. He said they must stop trying to get into the NBA and instead get MBAs and science degrees, and aspire to be scientists rather than rappers. I agree totally, unless they are going to rap freedom songs/poems.
Sonia Sanchez asks, "Will your book free us?"
I was so happy shortly after Obama was elected when I heard a young man on the bus in Oakland say, "Man, I'm so happy he is president. Now I got somebody else to look up to beside rappers." Yes, I was proud to hear this young man say this, even with a grill in his mouth--the grill made his remarks more profound!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Man Jacked in Sacramento for Mythology of Pussy
Oakland Man Jacked in Sacramento for Copy of Mythology
An Oakland man made the mistake of showing his copy of Mythology of Pussy to a group of young black males. He said they read parts of the pamphlet and refused to give it back to him. They said he could leave the apartment where they were gathered, but they were not giving him back the controversial manual on manhood and womanhood training. Young black males claim they can "up their game" by reading the pamphlet.
In Oakland, psychologist Dr. Lige Dailey, drove his Cadillac convertible to Marvin X's outdoor classroom at 14th and Broadway to obtain his copy. Superior Court Judge Gordon Baranco got his on the way to court.
At Rite Aid Drug Store, a young clerk had three copies of Mythology stolen by co-workers. Marvin gave her another copy and told her to take it home and don't show it to anyone on the way home or when she gets home. Several people reported to Marvin how their friends stole their copy or took it from their house and refuse to return it.
The poet's micro-credit plan is still working. Persons without money get the pamphlet on credit. Every day people return with the five dollar donation. He received a $20.00 donation from some.
www.marvinxwrites.blogspot.com
An Oakland man made the mistake of showing his copy of Mythology of Pussy to a group of young black males. He said they read parts of the pamphlet and refused to give it back to him. They said he could leave the apartment where they were gathered, but they were not giving him back the controversial manual on manhood and womanhood training. Young black males claim they can "up their game" by reading the pamphlet.
In Oakland, psychologist Dr. Lige Dailey, drove his Cadillac convertible to Marvin X's outdoor classroom at 14th and Broadway to obtain his copy. Superior Court Judge Gordon Baranco got his on the way to court.
At Rite Aid Drug Store, a young clerk had three copies of Mythology stolen by co-workers. Marvin gave her another copy and told her to take it home and don't show it to anyone on the way home or when she gets home. Several people reported to Marvin how their friends stole their copy or took it from their house and refuse to return it.
The poet's micro-credit plan is still working. Persons without money get the pamphlet on credit. Every day people return with the five dollar donation. He received a $20.00 donation from some.
www.marvinxwrites.blogspot.com
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
What Price Imperialism?
Opium takes over entire Afghan families, villages
By RUKMINI CALLIMACHI Associated Press Writer
Posted: 08/09/2009 10:10:20 AM PDT
Updated: 08/09/2009 10:10:21 AM PDT
In this July 13, 2009 photo, Sarab village resident and opium addict... ((AP Photo/Julie Jacobson))
SARAB, Afghanistan—Open the door to Islam Beg's house and the thick opium smoke rushes out into the cold mountain air, like steam from a bathhouse. It's just past 8 a.m. and the family of six—including a 1-year-old baby boy—is already curled up at the lip of the opium pipe.
Beg, 65, breathes in and exhales a cloud of smoke. He passes the pipe to his wife. She passes it to their daughter. The daughter blows the opium smoke into the baby's tiny mouth. The baby's eyes roll back into his head.
Their faces are gaunt. Their hair is matted. They smell.
In dozens of mountain hamlets in this remote corner of Afghanistan, opium addiction has become so entrenched that whole families—from toddlers to old
men—are addicts. The addiction moves from house to house, infecting entire communities cut off from the rest of the world by glacial streams. From just one family years ago, at least half the people of Sarab, population 1,850, are now addicts.
Afghanistan supplies nearly all the world's opium, the raw ingredient used to make heroin, and while most of the deadly crop is exported, enough is left behind to create a vicious cycle of addiction. There are at least 200,000 opium and heroin addicts in Afghanistan—50,000 more than in the much bigger, wealthier U.S., according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and a 2005 survey by the U.N. A new survey is expected to show even higher rates of addiction, a window. Into the human toll of Afghanistan' s back-to-back wars and desperate poverty.
Unlike in the West, the close-knit nature of communities here makes addiction a family affair. Instead of passing from one rebellious teenager to another, the habit passes from mother to daughter, father to son. It's turning villages like this one into a landscape of human depredation.
Except for a few soiled mats, Beg's house is bare. He has pawned all his family's belongings to pay for drugs.
"I am ashamed of what I have become," says Beg, an unwashed turban curled on his head. "I've lost my self-respect. I've lost my values. I take the food from this child to pay for my opium," he says, pointing to his 5-year-old grandson, Mamadin. "He just stays hungry."
Beg's forefathers owned much of the land in the village, located beside a gushing stream at the end of a canyon of craggy mountains in Badakshan province, hundreds of miles (kilometers) northeast of Kabul, Afghanistan' s capital.
He once had 1,200 sheep. He sold them off one by one to pay for drugs.
The land followed. He's turned his spacious home, once lined with ornamental carpets, into a mud shell. He grows potatoes in rows in the last of his fields and each
time he harvests the crop, he has to make a choice—feed his grandchildren, or buy opium. He usually chooses drugs.
Basic necessities like soap long ago fell by the wayside.
"If we have 50 cents, we buy opium and we smoke it. We don't use the 50 cents to buy soap to clean our clothes," explains Raihan, Beg's daughter and the mother of the 1-year-old. The toddler wears a filthy shirt and no underwear. "I can be out of food, but not out of opium."
The country's few drug treatment centers are in cities far from villages like this one. And even those able to get themselves to the cities are often unable to get help. The drug clinic in Takhar province, the nearest to Sarab, has a waiting list of 2,000 people and only 30
beds.
So the villagers are drowning in opium. They begin taking it when they are sick, relying on its anesthetic properties—opium is also used to make morphine. Sarab, a village located at 8,000 feet (2,438 meters) and snowed in for up to three months a year, is a day's walk over mountain paths to the nearest hospital. The few shops in town do not even sell aspirin.
"Opium is our doctor," says Beg. "When your stomach hurts, you take a smoke. Then you take a little more. And a little more. And then, you're addicted. Once you're hooked, it's over. You're finished."
When his grandson Shamsuddin, 1, cut his finger in the door jamb, Beg blew opium smoke into the child's mouth, a common practice in this part of the world
which is now resulting in rampant child addiction. He doesn't want his grandchild to become an addict, but he says he has no choice. "If there is no medicine here, what should we do? The only way to make him feel better is to give him opium."
From a single smoke, they progress to a three-times- a-day habit that spreads. When Beg began using opium, it wasn't just his wife and daughter who followed suit. It was his brother. Then his brother's wife. Like an epidemic, it makes its way across the village.
Health workers say that to treat the addiction, they need to treat the entire community. Last year, the Ministry of Health took 120 addicts from Sarab to a facility in a town one day's drive away to be treated. Three months later, they found that 115 of the 120 had relapsed.
"First my neighbor started doing opium again," explains Noor, one of the women treated, whose eyes are dark caves. "Then my cousin. Then my husband. And then after a while, I also started."
Most of the addicts spend $3 to $4 a day on opium in a part of the world where people earn on average $2. They sell their land and go deeply into debt to maintain their habit.
"I used to be a rich man," says Dadar, a man who looks to be in his 70s and whose family of seven is addicted. "I had cattle. I had land. And then I started smoking. I sold the cattle. I sold my land. Now I have nothing."
He wears an old windbreaker encrusted with dirt. His wife pulls back her lips to show a mouth full of diseased teeth. Their grandchildren have knotted hair and ripped clothes stained with muck.
Because they've sold their cattle, they no longer eat meat. When they sold the last of their land, they also lost their wheat, potatoes and greens. Their diet now consists of tea and the occasional piece of bread given by a neighbor.
Village chief Sahib Dad says even those who are not addicted are forced to pay a price.
"When a person gets addicted, he has nothing to eat," says Dad. "That affects his neighbor because the neighbor is forced to give over a part of his food. For this reason, all of us are poorer."
After selling their land, some families resort to even more desperate measures. They take loans from the shopkeepers who sell them drugs. Then they sell their daughters, known as 'opium brides,' to settle the debt. They lease their sons.
"I know he is angry with me. But what can I do? I have nothing left to sell," says Jan Begum, who has sent her 14-year-old to do construction work for the drug dealers. "I tried to stop, but I can't. Whenever I do, the pain becomes unbearable."
The problem is compounded by Afghanistan' s neighbors. Iran immediately to the west has the world's highest per capita heroin use. The heroin labs there, as well as in Pakistan to the east, use opium imported from Afghanistan. These countries are now exporting heroin addiction back to Afghanistan in the form of returning refugees.
Like opium, heroin in Afghanistan is biting off whole families. Gul Pari, 13, watched her mother get high on heroin when she and her brother were in elementary school. Now she lies in a bed in a drug treatment center for women in Kabul. Her 15-year-old brother Zaihar is across town in a rehab facility for men.
Their bodies are like brittle sticks. The 13-year-old tries to push herself up on one elbow, but her thin arm cannot hold her up, so she falls back onto the pillow. Her emaciated brother leans against a wall to steady himself.
What will happen when they go home is unknown. They live with their mother—a recovering heroin addict—under a tarp in the yard of an abandoned house.
Mohammad Asef, a health worker at the clinic taking care of Zaihar Pari, says he is worried about the boy's chances of recovering. "In America people go and get high in the park. In Afghanistan, they do it in the home," says Asef. "They bring it inside. They burn it on the family stove. Everyone sees. So everyone is affected."
In Sarab, villagers who are not addicted keep their distance from those who are. They don't invite them into their homes. They discourage them from coming to village meetings. It's as if they are trying to quarantine themselves.
Beg says that for him all hope is lost. Even after he is buried, it'll take 70 years for the opium to ooze out of his bones. His hope, he says, are his grandkids—the only people in the family who are not yet addicts.
As Beg is getting high on a recent morning, the 1-year-old crawls over and starts playing with the opium pipe. He picks it up and shakes it, as if it were a rattle. Then, imitating his grandfather, he raises the pipe to his mouth.
By RUKMINI CALLIMACHI Associated Press Writer
Posted: 08/09/2009 10:10:20 AM PDT
Updated: 08/09/2009 10:10:21 AM PDT
In this July 13, 2009 photo, Sarab village resident and opium addict... ((AP Photo/Julie Jacobson))
SARAB, Afghanistan—Open the door to Islam Beg's house and the thick opium smoke rushes out into the cold mountain air, like steam from a bathhouse. It's just past 8 a.m. and the family of six—including a 1-year-old baby boy—is already curled up at the lip of the opium pipe.
Beg, 65, breathes in and exhales a cloud of smoke. He passes the pipe to his wife. She passes it to their daughter. The daughter blows the opium smoke into the baby's tiny mouth. The baby's eyes roll back into his head.
Their faces are gaunt. Their hair is matted. They smell.
In dozens of mountain hamlets in this remote corner of Afghanistan, opium addiction has become so entrenched that whole families—from toddlers to old
men—are addicts. The addiction moves from house to house, infecting entire communities cut off from the rest of the world by glacial streams. From just one family years ago, at least half the people of Sarab, population 1,850, are now addicts.
Afghanistan supplies nearly all the world's opium, the raw ingredient used to make heroin, and while most of the deadly crop is exported, enough is left behind to create a vicious cycle of addiction. There are at least 200,000 opium and heroin addicts in Afghanistan—50,000 more than in the much bigger, wealthier U.S., according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and a 2005 survey by the U.N. A new survey is expected to show even higher rates of addiction, a window. Into the human toll of Afghanistan' s back-to-back wars and desperate poverty.
Unlike in the West, the close-knit nature of communities here makes addiction a family affair. Instead of passing from one rebellious teenager to another, the habit passes from mother to daughter, father to son. It's turning villages like this one into a landscape of human depredation.
Except for a few soiled mats, Beg's house is bare. He has pawned all his family's belongings to pay for drugs.
"I am ashamed of what I have become," says Beg, an unwashed turban curled on his head. "I've lost my self-respect. I've lost my values. I take the food from this child to pay for my opium," he says, pointing to his 5-year-old grandson, Mamadin. "He just stays hungry."
Beg's forefathers owned much of the land in the village, located beside a gushing stream at the end of a canyon of craggy mountains in Badakshan province, hundreds of miles (kilometers) northeast of Kabul, Afghanistan' s capital.
He once had 1,200 sheep. He sold them off one by one to pay for drugs.
The land followed. He's turned his spacious home, once lined with ornamental carpets, into a mud shell. He grows potatoes in rows in the last of his fields and each
time he harvests the crop, he has to make a choice—feed his grandchildren, or buy opium. He usually chooses drugs.
Basic necessities like soap long ago fell by the wayside.
"If we have 50 cents, we buy opium and we smoke it. We don't use the 50 cents to buy soap to clean our clothes," explains Raihan, Beg's daughter and the mother of the 1-year-old. The toddler wears a filthy shirt and no underwear. "I can be out of food, but not out of opium."
The country's few drug treatment centers are in cities far from villages like this one. And even those able to get themselves to the cities are often unable to get help. The drug clinic in Takhar province, the nearest to Sarab, has a waiting list of 2,000 people and only 30
beds.
So the villagers are drowning in opium. They begin taking it when they are sick, relying on its anesthetic properties—opium is also used to make morphine. Sarab, a village located at 8,000 feet (2,438 meters) and snowed in for up to three months a year, is a day's walk over mountain paths to the nearest hospital. The few shops in town do not even sell aspirin.
"Opium is our doctor," says Beg. "When your stomach hurts, you take a smoke. Then you take a little more. And a little more. And then, you're addicted. Once you're hooked, it's over. You're finished."
When his grandson Shamsuddin, 1, cut his finger in the door jamb, Beg blew opium smoke into the child's mouth, a common practice in this part of the world
which is now resulting in rampant child addiction. He doesn't want his grandchild to become an addict, but he says he has no choice. "If there is no medicine here, what should we do? The only way to make him feel better is to give him opium."
From a single smoke, they progress to a three-times- a-day habit that spreads. When Beg began using opium, it wasn't just his wife and daughter who followed suit. It was his brother. Then his brother's wife. Like an epidemic, it makes its way across the village.
Health workers say that to treat the addiction, they need to treat the entire community. Last year, the Ministry of Health took 120 addicts from Sarab to a facility in a town one day's drive away to be treated. Three months later, they found that 115 of the 120 had relapsed.
"First my neighbor started doing opium again," explains Noor, one of the women treated, whose eyes are dark caves. "Then my cousin. Then my husband. And then after a while, I also started."
Most of the addicts spend $3 to $4 a day on opium in a part of the world where people earn on average $2. They sell their land and go deeply into debt to maintain their habit.
"I used to be a rich man," says Dadar, a man who looks to be in his 70s and whose family of seven is addicted. "I had cattle. I had land. And then I started smoking. I sold the cattle. I sold my land. Now I have nothing."
He wears an old windbreaker encrusted with dirt. His wife pulls back her lips to show a mouth full of diseased teeth. Their grandchildren have knotted hair and ripped clothes stained with muck.
Because they've sold their cattle, they no longer eat meat. When they sold the last of their land, they also lost their wheat, potatoes and greens. Their diet now consists of tea and the occasional piece of bread given by a neighbor.
Village chief Sahib Dad says even those who are not addicted are forced to pay a price.
"When a person gets addicted, he has nothing to eat," says Dad. "That affects his neighbor because the neighbor is forced to give over a part of his food. For this reason, all of us are poorer."
After selling their land, some families resort to even more desperate measures. They take loans from the shopkeepers who sell them drugs. Then they sell their daughters, known as 'opium brides,' to settle the debt. They lease their sons.
"I know he is angry with me. But what can I do? I have nothing left to sell," says Jan Begum, who has sent her 14-year-old to do construction work for the drug dealers. "I tried to stop, but I can't. Whenever I do, the pain becomes unbearable."
The problem is compounded by Afghanistan' s neighbors. Iran immediately to the west has the world's highest per capita heroin use. The heroin labs there, as well as in Pakistan to the east, use opium imported from Afghanistan. These countries are now exporting heroin addiction back to Afghanistan in the form of returning refugees.
Like opium, heroin in Afghanistan is biting off whole families. Gul Pari, 13, watched her mother get high on heroin when she and her brother were in elementary school. Now she lies in a bed in a drug treatment center for women in Kabul. Her 15-year-old brother Zaihar is across town in a rehab facility for men.
Their bodies are like brittle sticks. The 13-year-old tries to push herself up on one elbow, but her thin arm cannot hold her up, so she falls back onto the pillow. Her emaciated brother leans against a wall to steady himself.
What will happen when they go home is unknown. They live with their mother—a recovering heroin addict—under a tarp in the yard of an abandoned house.
Mohammad Asef, a health worker at the clinic taking care of Zaihar Pari, says he is worried about the boy's chances of recovering. "In America people go and get high in the park. In Afghanistan, they do it in the home," says Asef. "They bring it inside. They burn it on the family stove. Everyone sees. So everyone is affected."
In Sarab, villagers who are not addicted keep their distance from those who are. They don't invite them into their homes. They discourage them from coming to village meetings. It's as if they are trying to quarantine themselves.
Beg says that for him all hope is lost. Even after he is buried, it'll take 70 years for the opium to ooze out of his bones. His hope, he says, are his grandkids—the only people in the family who are not yet addicts.
As Beg is getting high on a recent morning, the 1-year-old crawls over and starts playing with the opium pipe. He picks it up and shakes it, as if it were a rattle. Then, imitating his grandfather, he raises the pipe to his mouth.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Marvin X Revolution Invades State Capital
Not since the Black Panthers invaded the California State Capitol in 1967, has a group of people rocked the area. On Saturday afternoon four people came into the area for a book party in Elk Grove at the home of James and Renee Sweeney. Sweeney is a political wheeler-dealer with an office across the street from Gov. Swartznegger's headquarters. The Sweeney's agreed to host a book party for Marvin X. Marvin arrived with his colleague, Ptah, one of the brightest students to come out of the San Francisco State University Black Studies department. Also traveling with "Plato Negro" were singer/guitarist Rashidah Mwongozi and choreographer/dancer Raynetta Rayzetta. When they arrived at the Sweeney residence they immediately went to the backyard to sit by the man made lake. Soon people began arriving. Sweeney had told Marvin to expect a mixed crowd--from the suites to the streets. And so it was. The first guest was a black woman administrator of a 100 billion dollar insurance fund, the second largest in the state of California. She was followed by artists, painters, entrepreneurs, and common people. All came seeking light and love.
After the crowd socialized and enjoyed a pot luck dinner, Sweeney asked Marvin to begin. Unlike his friends who came to the area with guns in 1967, Marvin came with his pen, his books and team of performers in the Black Arts Movement tradition. He signaled for Rashidah to begin with a song. She opened with a tribute to her father as a black man in America. When she concluded three original songs, brother Ptah came forward with two poems, the second was Can You Spare Some Change. As he neared the end of Spare Some Change, Marvin joined him with his poem Can You Change. The audience was ecstatic. It was the best rendition of the two poems together. Too bad the poets didn't put it out during the Obama campaign.
I should mention that Ptah had made opening remarks that this gathering should and must happen at least once a month throughout black America, coast to coast. As Dr. Hare suggested, we must organize these peer group meetings to address our mental health issues as we recover from the addiction to white supremacy. In Marvin's remarks, he said we must first detox then recover, as Ptah wrote in his afterword to How to Recover from the Addiction to White Supremacy. Detox involves stopping the conspicuous consumption of white supremacy goods--all that shopping at the mall for goods we don't need just want, out of boredom and the lack of spiritual harmony with ourselves, our mates, children and friends--out of harmony with nature itself. When a brother asked a question about spirituality, he was answered by a call and response reading of Marvin’s poem What If. This was the climax of the afternoon.
Ptah told his mentor that while he was reading What If, Ptah looked at a woman who was reciting with her eyes closed but smiling in a state of total joy. Ptah said he heard someone say the event was better than church. Sweeney, who knew the audience, told Marvin later that he had touched some nerves, especially with his remarks on white supremacy—there was several people who are suffering white supremacy on the job and were very sensitive to his remarks and found them refreshing.
When “Plato Negro” had mentioned the Harvard professor, Gates, who failed the tone test recently, a brother said he was happy to know the tone test: when stopped by the police, one of three things can happen: the police can arrest you, kill you or release you, based on your tone of voice.
The book party was to celebrate the release of his memoir Eldridge Cleaver, My Friend the Devil, but little of the discussion was about the Cleaver book. Marvin only read a few pages from his memoir, even though Jimmy Garrett calls it the funniest book of the year. Mythology of Pussy was the best seller. The evening ended with introductions from all present. Again, people present came from a variety of backgrounds, expressing the diversity of black life. We encourage such gatherings at least once a month from coast to coast so we can begin the healing from the ravages of white supremacy--but the focus is our spirituality. We must find the safe space wherein we can gather to share, to release the pain and trauma so often held inside until diseases result. There is much trauma and unresolved grief in our community and we must have such communal gatherings to heal and transcend to higher ground.
After the crowd socialized and enjoyed a pot luck dinner, Sweeney asked Marvin to begin. Unlike his friends who came to the area with guns in 1967, Marvin came with his pen, his books and team of performers in the Black Arts Movement tradition. He signaled for Rashidah to begin with a song. She opened with a tribute to her father as a black man in America. When she concluded three original songs, brother Ptah came forward with two poems, the second was Can You Spare Some Change. As he neared the end of Spare Some Change, Marvin joined him with his poem Can You Change. The audience was ecstatic. It was the best rendition of the two poems together. Too bad the poets didn't put it out during the Obama campaign.
I should mention that Ptah had made opening remarks that this gathering should and must happen at least once a month throughout black America, coast to coast. As Dr. Hare suggested, we must organize these peer group meetings to address our mental health issues as we recover from the addiction to white supremacy. In Marvin's remarks, he said we must first detox then recover, as Ptah wrote in his afterword to How to Recover from the Addiction to White Supremacy. Detox involves stopping the conspicuous consumption of white supremacy goods--all that shopping at the mall for goods we don't need just want, out of boredom and the lack of spiritual harmony with ourselves, our mates, children and friends--out of harmony with nature itself. When a brother asked a question about spirituality, he was answered by a call and response reading of Marvin’s poem What If. This was the climax of the afternoon.
Ptah told his mentor that while he was reading What If, Ptah looked at a woman who was reciting with her eyes closed but smiling in a state of total joy. Ptah said he heard someone say the event was better than church. Sweeney, who knew the audience, told Marvin later that he had touched some nerves, especially with his remarks on white supremacy—there was several people who are suffering white supremacy on the job and were very sensitive to his remarks and found them refreshing.
When “Plato Negro” had mentioned the Harvard professor, Gates, who failed the tone test recently, a brother said he was happy to know the tone test: when stopped by the police, one of three things can happen: the police can arrest you, kill you or release you, based on your tone of voice.
The book party was to celebrate the release of his memoir Eldridge Cleaver, My Friend the Devil, but little of the discussion was about the Cleaver book. Marvin only read a few pages from his memoir, even though Jimmy Garrett calls it the funniest book of the year. Mythology of Pussy was the best seller. The evening ended with introductions from all present. Again, people present came from a variety of backgrounds, expressing the diversity of black life. We encourage such gatherings at least once a month from coast to coast so we can begin the healing from the ravages of white supremacy--but the focus is our spirituality. We must find the safe space wherein we can gather to share, to release the pain and trauma so often held inside until diseases result. There is much trauma and unresolved grief in our community and we must have such communal gatherings to heal and transcend to higher ground.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Police Swoop Down on Marvin X
OPD Swoop Down on Marvin X
As Marvin X continued his literacy and educational campaign at the crossroads of Oakland, 14th and Broadway, he was suddenly surrounded by Oakland police who jumped out of three cars to see if he was passing out pornographic literature. At first the officers stopped another street brother for questioning. When he was found not to be on probation or parole and had no warrants, he was free to go, although he was told he looked like the guy who was shooting at them last night and they are watching him. Then the third police car arrived and the officer came to Marvin X, saying he had received a complaint someone was passing out porno. Marvin X's books were on display, including the "best seller" Mythology of Pussy. He asked the officer would he like a copy. The officer said no and didn't bother to peruse it. He turned to join his fellow officers who continued to chat for several minutes before departing.
Other than the visit by Oakland's finest--who now have a new police chief brought in from Long Beach, CA, Marvin had a good day at his outdoor classroom. One mother got Mythology for her daughters. Another woman got two copies, one to send to a cousin in Texas. Another mother told her daughter to see how much money she had. The girl said 75 cents. The mother said, "Give it to him. Do you see that lock on the cover?" She was referring to the cover art with the chastity belt.
When youth claim they have no money, not even a dollar, Marvin has an angel who promptly gives the poet a dollar. The angel tells the person he is willing to give a dollar to possibly save their life. Indeed, if one reads Mythology, it will help them in their male/female relations, making them understand patriarchal domination must be eradicated.
At Oakland Art and Soul festival last weekend, one woman told Marvin X she thoroughly enjoyed reading Mythology and was so happy to see a man saying the things Marvin said, some of which she had not heard before. Many young men are reading Mythology to "get up on their game." If they want more game, wait until they read his soon to be released The Wisdom of Plato Negro, A Hustler's Guide to Game.
Marvin has also released a pamphlet entitled Inside Baraka's The Toilet, A Love Letter to Gay and Lesbian Youth. It is a attempt to reach out to touch the growing population of gay and lesbian youth who hang out in the downtown area.
On Saturday, Marvin X will be in Sacramento for a book party hosted by James W. Sweeney and his wife Renee, at their home in Elk Grove. Call 510-355-6339 for more informaton. On Sunday, at the Joyce Gordon Gallery, 14th and Franklin, Oakland, he will have a conversation with Ted Pontiflet who is exhibiting his paintings and photographs of James Baldwin,3-5pm. Call the Joyce Gordon Gallery for more information: 510-465-8928.
As Marvin X continued his literacy and educational campaign at the crossroads of Oakland, 14th and Broadway, he was suddenly surrounded by Oakland police who jumped out of three cars to see if he was passing out pornographic literature. At first the officers stopped another street brother for questioning. When he was found not to be on probation or parole and had no warrants, he was free to go, although he was told he looked like the guy who was shooting at them last night and they are watching him. Then the third police car arrived and the officer came to Marvin X, saying he had received a complaint someone was passing out porno. Marvin X's books were on display, including the "best seller" Mythology of Pussy. He asked the officer would he like a copy. The officer said no and didn't bother to peruse it. He turned to join his fellow officers who continued to chat for several minutes before departing.
Other than the visit by Oakland's finest--who now have a new police chief brought in from Long Beach, CA, Marvin had a good day at his outdoor classroom. One mother got Mythology for her daughters. Another woman got two copies, one to send to a cousin in Texas. Another mother told her daughter to see how much money she had. The girl said 75 cents. The mother said, "Give it to him. Do you see that lock on the cover?" She was referring to the cover art with the chastity belt.
When youth claim they have no money, not even a dollar, Marvin has an angel who promptly gives the poet a dollar. The angel tells the person he is willing to give a dollar to possibly save their life. Indeed, if one reads Mythology, it will help them in their male/female relations, making them understand patriarchal domination must be eradicated.
At Oakland Art and Soul festival last weekend, one woman told Marvin X she thoroughly enjoyed reading Mythology and was so happy to see a man saying the things Marvin said, some of which she had not heard before. Many young men are reading Mythology to "get up on their game." If they want more game, wait until they read his soon to be released The Wisdom of Plato Negro, A Hustler's Guide to Game.
Marvin has also released a pamphlet entitled Inside Baraka's The Toilet, A Love Letter to Gay and Lesbian Youth. It is a attempt to reach out to touch the growing population of gay and lesbian youth who hang out in the downtown area.
On Saturday, Marvin X will be in Sacramento for a book party hosted by James W. Sweeney and his wife Renee, at their home in Elk Grove. Call 510-355-6339 for more informaton. On Sunday, at the Joyce Gordon Gallery, 14th and Franklin, Oakland, he will have a conversation with Ted Pontiflet who is exhibiting his paintings and photographs of James Baldwin,3-5pm. Call the Joyce Gordon Gallery for more information: 510-465-8928.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Militant Spirituality
MARVIN X:
a radical spirit
Marvin X was born May 29, 1944 in Fowler, California, near Fresno. Marvin X is well known for his work as a poet, playwright and essayist of the BLACK ARTS MOVEMENT or BAM. He attended Merritt College along with Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale. He received his BA and MA in English from San Francisco State University. Marvin X is most well known for his work with Ed Bullins in the founding of Black House and The Black Arts/West Theatre in San Francisco. Black House served briefly as the headquarters for the Black Panther Party and as a center for performance, theatre, poetry and music.
Militant and Spirituality
from Toward Radical Spirituality, Black Bird Press, 2007 (c) 2006 by Marvin X (El Muhajir)
Catch Marvin X in Concert at the Black Repertory Group Theatre, Sunday, Aug 27, 4pm. Music by Elliott Bey Savoy, words of meditation by Suzzette Celeste, poetry by Ptah Allah-El, Ayodele Nzinga, Opal Palmer Adisa, and Tureeda. Donation $20.00. Say "Peace," if you have no money. Benefit for the University of Poetry and Hug a Thug Book Club. Call 510-472-9589 for tickets or information. The Black Rep is located at 3201 Adeline St., Berkeley (one block south of the Ashby BART). Email:mrvnx@yahoo.com.
Militant Islam originates in the abject and abysmal failure of moderate Islam to address the political oppression throughout the Muslim world. Nearly every Muslim regime is a model of failure in addressing the economic, educational and social problems of the billion plus Islamic world.
Many Muslim nations are still suffering the ravages of colonialism and her sister neo-colonialism. Neo-colonialism allows the oppression to continue with indigenous political leaders who are sometimes more repressive than the former colonial masters.
Little or no opposition is allowed. Little or no freedom of speech or assembly is permitted. The oil wealth of Muslim nations is the property of royal families or presidents for life. All this has occurred under mainly secular regimes of moderate Muslims or under conservative Islamic nations. Such reactionary activity has forced a generation of militant Muslims to arise seeking social justice and cultural dignity as Islamic people.
Militant Muslims have no desire for the western way of life that is promoted by the secular regimes, including western style democracy, although they desire freedom, justice and equality. Actually, the oppressive regimes only give lip service to democratic ideals to appease the west, while they continue repression and the theft of national resources. Egypt is the best example of an oppressive Muslim state with pseudo strides toward democracy. The more they make moves toward democracy, the more they repress. President Mubarak's son is poised to continue pharonic democracy.
What should be made clear is that the problem of occupied Palestine is not the main reason for the rise of militant Islam. Yes, all Muslims are horrified at the oppression of the Muslim brothers and sisters in occupied Palestine, but they are more horrified at the oppression in their respective nations that are as repressive as Israel, if not more so. Did not Jordan kill ten thousand Palestinians? Did not Syria kill an entire town of rebellious citizens?
With ten million Muslims in France, what is their future in a country that recently praise its colonial heritage. More than likely, the Muslims will probably be expelled from Europe as were the Moors in 1492--history has a way of repeating itself.
Young Muslims must resist political backwardness in Europe and elsewhere, especially in Arab lands. Moderate Islam has no answers to the conundrum of the Muslim world. Their ritual passivity and collaboration with Western interests shall not continue unabated. The world waits for no one. Like Poland in WWII, the moderate Islamists may have waited too long. Moderation will allow the Israel/Palestine problem to linger another fifty years. But if Militant Islam persists, like the Crusaders, the Jews will ultimately be forced to depart the Holy land, despite their possession of nuclear weapons.
And the putrid Muslim political regimes will persist another half century, if the moderates have their way. Their meaningless ritual prayers and hollow haj to Mecca to kiss the black stone does not relieve the pressure of boots on the necks of the masses. So let the militants arise and challenge injustice everywhere, from the bastions of colonialism in Europe and America, to the rotten, corrupt Muslim nations in Africa and Asia.
Paris burned because the moderates have done nothing. London bridges were bombed and the twin towers fell because the moderates said nothing, heard nothing and did nothing, leaving their people in poverty, disease and ignorance.
Let the militants have their day, perhaps they are misguided and suicidal, but at least they know persecution is worse than slaughter. After all the blood and bones, maybe we shall have inched forward to freedom, justice and equality. The entire Muslim world should celebrate the resistance of Hizbullah in Lebanon. They may lose the battle, but surely they have already won the war, for if nothing else, they have ingratiated themselves into the hearts and minds of the Muslim world, a world greatly in need of inspiration and human dignity
a radical spirit
Marvin X was born May 29, 1944 in Fowler, California, near Fresno. Marvin X is well known for his work as a poet, playwright and essayist of the BLACK ARTS MOVEMENT or BAM. He attended Merritt College along with Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale. He received his BA and MA in English from San Francisco State University. Marvin X is most well known for his work with Ed Bullins in the founding of Black House and The Black Arts/West Theatre in San Francisco. Black House served briefly as the headquarters for the Black Panther Party and as a center for performance, theatre, poetry and music.
Militant and Spirituality
from Toward Radical Spirituality, Black Bird Press, 2007 (c) 2006 by Marvin X (El Muhajir)
Catch Marvin X in Concert at the Black Repertory Group Theatre, Sunday, Aug 27, 4pm. Music by Elliott Bey Savoy, words of meditation by Suzzette Celeste, poetry by Ptah Allah-El, Ayodele Nzinga, Opal Palmer Adisa, and Tureeda. Donation $20.00. Say "Peace," if you have no money. Benefit for the University of Poetry and Hug a Thug Book Club. Call 510-472-9589 for tickets or information. The Black Rep is located at 3201 Adeline St., Berkeley (one block south of the Ashby BART). Email:mrvnx@yahoo.com.
Militant Islam originates in the abject and abysmal failure of moderate Islam to address the political oppression throughout the Muslim world. Nearly every Muslim regime is a model of failure in addressing the economic, educational and social problems of the billion plus Islamic world.
Many Muslim nations are still suffering the ravages of colonialism and her sister neo-colonialism. Neo-colonialism allows the oppression to continue with indigenous political leaders who are sometimes more repressive than the former colonial masters.
Little or no opposition is allowed. Little or no freedom of speech or assembly is permitted. The oil wealth of Muslim nations is the property of royal families or presidents for life. All this has occurred under mainly secular regimes of moderate Muslims or under conservative Islamic nations. Such reactionary activity has forced a generation of militant Muslims to arise seeking social justice and cultural dignity as Islamic people.
Militant Muslims have no desire for the western way of life that is promoted by the secular regimes, including western style democracy, although they desire freedom, justice and equality. Actually, the oppressive regimes only give lip service to democratic ideals to appease the west, while they continue repression and the theft of national resources. Egypt is the best example of an oppressive Muslim state with pseudo strides toward democracy. The more they make moves toward democracy, the more they repress. President Mubarak's son is poised to continue pharonic democracy.
What should be made clear is that the problem of occupied Palestine is not the main reason for the rise of militant Islam. Yes, all Muslims are horrified at the oppression of the Muslim brothers and sisters in occupied Palestine, but they are more horrified at the oppression in their respective nations that are as repressive as Israel, if not more so. Did not Jordan kill ten thousand Palestinians? Did not Syria kill an entire town of rebellious citizens?
With ten million Muslims in France, what is their future in a country that recently praise its colonial heritage. More than likely, the Muslims will probably be expelled from Europe as were the Moors in 1492--history has a way of repeating itself.
Young Muslims must resist political backwardness in Europe and elsewhere, especially in Arab lands. Moderate Islam has no answers to the conundrum of the Muslim world. Their ritual passivity and collaboration with Western interests shall not continue unabated. The world waits for no one. Like Poland in WWII, the moderate Islamists may have waited too long. Moderation will allow the Israel/Palestine problem to linger another fifty years. But if Militant Islam persists, like the Crusaders, the Jews will ultimately be forced to depart the Holy land, despite their possession of nuclear weapons.
And the putrid Muslim political regimes will persist another half century, if the moderates have their way. Their meaningless ritual prayers and hollow haj to Mecca to kiss the black stone does not relieve the pressure of boots on the necks of the masses. So let the militants arise and challenge injustice everywhere, from the bastions of colonialism in Europe and America, to the rotten, corrupt Muslim nations in Africa and Asia.
Paris burned because the moderates have done nothing. London bridges were bombed and the twin towers fell because the moderates said nothing, heard nothing and did nothing, leaving their people in poverty, disease and ignorance.
Let the militants have their day, perhaps they are misguided and suicidal, but at least they know persecution is worse than slaughter. After all the blood and bones, maybe we shall have inched forward to freedom, justice and equality. The entire Muslim world should celebrate the resistance of Hizbullah in Lebanon. They may lose the battle, but surely they have already won the war, for if nothing else, they have ingratiated themselves into the hearts and minds of the Muslim world, a world greatly in need of inspiration and human dignity
The Ansars Response to Marvin X on Mixon
A Response to Marvin X from The Ansars About Askari X & Lovelle Mixon
Posted on April 13, 2009 by Davey D
TO MARVIN X #1 4-10-09
The Difference with AEM is the Muslim name: Ansar
Anyone can call themselves by a Muslim name such as Ansar. However, the Muslim Name; Ansar is not a mere Nick name. In fact the Holy Quran states; evil is a bad nick name after faith. Muslims must take a Shahada to truly receive an Attribute [Name] of ALLAH.
The name Ansar comes from the history of Islam and Life of Prophet Muhammad. The Ansar were/are the Helpers of Muhammad. The Ansar [of Arabia] had a reputation of being warriors. Today many groups loosely apply the name to their movement or organization.
Thee True Ansar of This day sign a covenant kept in a Temple Registry in order to officially wear the name Ansar. They also change all of their ID’s legally. It is most notable to acknowledge that all throughout the world there are groups using the name Ansar. There is even a city in Palestine bearing the name Ansar.
Important to note also is, that there are some differences of beliefs of those Orthodox Muslims in the Middle East, and the Black (s/c African American Muslims) in the Nation of Islam. One most significant difference is the belief in a spook or invisible god, and a heaven in the sky.
This fact is; a most important point for reflection as we investigate the motive for Marvin X’s false presumptuous, slanderous, defaming, reckless, careless and potentially deadly writings [where he attempts slandering the Ansar by Associating them with the Deadly shooting of Police Officers in Oakland]. To do this Marvin X purposely misapplies and confuses several tenets of the teachings and ignores vast differences between the ideology or interpretation of eastern Muslims and those of the Nation of Islam. As well Marvin X totally fabricated portions of his writing to suite his bogus claim.
Not only are there differences in the Islamic teachings of the Middle East and those of The Nation of Islam here in the West. There is also a difference in the manner in which the majority of members inherit the faith. Most in the Middle East are born into Islam and facing a slightly different form of oppression than we “currently” face. While the young original Black American s/c Negroes inherit the faith by discovery, often this discovery happens in stages.
Anyone vaguely familiar with the plight of the American s/c Negros knows that 85% are steeped in the western stereo-typical image and hip hop/thug culture, which in many cases, is deemed as glorifying guns, drugs, sex and violence.
Regardless to an individual’s affinity, curiosity or fascination with any organized religious group, we should not assume they are properly espousing that group’s doctrine without research and proof, nor should we assume that they are registered members of that group without research and proof. In addition, there is also the fact of a persons membership standing. Aside from fairy tales etc, reality proves that some make resolutions, commitments, and join churches, synagogues, mosques etc, and later fall back to their old, weak, or evil ways. Should the Movement they at one time sought to become a part of, be guilty for their actions after their fall from grace? Think on it [we’ll come back to that].
There is much obvious evidence that Mr. Mixon was not an Ansar El Muhammad, nor even influenced by Islam whatsoever. Marvin X Himself whereas the X popularized by the Nation of Islam, yet certainly does not hold any official membership in the Nation of Islam, nor is the Nation of Islam responsible for his slanderous writings, simply because he somewhat falsely where’s an X. Most Muslims do not hide there faith as TV shows have popularized the term [Taqiyah] as Americas atmosphere against Muslims has not risen to that level of severity, however statements, false slanderous reckless penmanship as done by Marvin X could start or speed America up on this downward trend.
Even the DC Sniper gave his name as Muhammad, though he had no current, valid, or true affiliation with the Nation of Islam. Clearly Mixon utilized the name Mixon.
Askari X, as a young black man growing up in Oakland faced the same societal influences that most s/c African American males face, with a fascination into the Thug Life, He, Askari X was later introduced to The Socialist Ideology of The UHURU movement, and later to Islam as taught by Ansar El Muhammad. The neighborhood 72nd and Lacey Street was popularized in Askari X songs only after he was influenced by His fellow group Members RBG. That neighborhood is where some of them grew up. As young Black males, they began searching for knowledge at a young age, which is how they came to espouse some of the ideology of the UHURU Movement. They later and began unofficially studying some Ansar El Muhammad literature in 1988-89. At this time the only bona-fide Ansar El Muhammad study groups were in the prison, besides [of course] those students who were released from prison and reported to Richmond to meet and follow the Baldhead Man.
Askari experienced many of the growing pains as any other young Blackman searching to find himself, and upon finding Islam as taught by Ansar El Muhammad, He sought to be restored and reestablished on his righteous square. RBG released a five song maxi single in 1989, which influenced Askari to Later write the Album, Ward of The State, which boost him into neighborhood stardom. The neighborhood [72nd and Lacey] was somewhat effected, yet nothing near the ridiculous relation given by Marvin X. Many young African American males fascinated with the hip hop phenomenon, will conform to whatever will give them access to stardom. In addition many young black people naturally gravitate to Islam as it frees them from the deceptive false religions that evolved out of the Nicean Council.
Askari X espouses a mixture of ideologies, one being that of a revolutionary, who uses carnal weapons and guns to obtain freedom, along the lines of the Black Panthers and the Afrikan Peoples Socialist Party. The other being that of s/c Black Islam [Teachings of thee Nation of Islam] as taught by Ansar El Muhammad, Thee Select One, thee ALLAH Master J, which is foundated on the teachings of Thee Messenger, Thee Glorious Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, which strictly forbids the use of or even possession of guns or carnal weapons of any sort. Askari Also mixes in various levels glorifying the Thug culture, slang, even drug use at times, all with an intent of capturing the imagination of African American youth with audio imagery similar to the conditions they grow up in. As any movie script writer, director, or producer, He [AskariX] without double standard could be innocent of any negative influence his songs may have on those who listen to his songs.
In addition, those who hear his songs may adopt some of his slogans, and even begin loosely referring to themselves by the name he promotes in the songs [Ansar or RBG]. Does this mean they are Official Members?
Of course this question relies heavily on the fact, of whether or not there is any such thing as an “Official Membership Organization.” Once an Official membership Organization is Established, a clear distinction can be easily made. Marvin X mentions the Founder of Ansar El Muhammad, yet mentions nothing of the fact that many students learned direct from the founder at a home in Richmond [which is considered the Holy City by Thee True Ansar. The neighborhoods around, 72nd and Lacey are not by any stretch of the imagination an Ansar Stronghold. Very few if any in or around that neighborhood know anything about Ansar El Muhammad, other than the name itself and the greeting “Sajada Lahu.”
A true Scholar, or good journalist, especially one who cares for black people would never, write such slanderous things about a group trying to help our struggling communities, and would never make such potentially deadly false associations in the weeks and aftermath of so many police killings.
A True scholar researches before rushing to try to catch the next trend of Popularity.
As with any Religious Ideology, there are those falsely claiming the faith, there are others who are purposely placed saboteurs, while others are innocently confused, then there are those sincere yet snared by societal addictions, yet with any good calling there are those who have achieved degrees of success in being restored to righteousness. You go tell that fox I do miracles today and tomorrow I am perfected, as Jesus stated, A friend of Politicians and sinners, yet wisdom is justified by the children.
Thee True Ansar El Muhammad students of Ansar El Muhammad Thee Select One Thee Allah Master J, were blessed to Established J’s Temple of Islam as a bona fied religious non profit organization in 2005, after serving our people since 1966 following the instruction of Thee Holy Spirit of Truth Ansar El Muhammad Thee Select One Thee Allah Master J.
To make a clear distinction between anyone who claim the name and are yet involved in the societal influence of crime etc. For anyone who seek clarification of our teachings, or would like to receive more information about our history please contact J’s Temple of Islam at 510-238-2883. You can also write us for an invitation to J’s Temple of Islam at P.O. Box 3406, Oakland, CA 94609
Yours Truly Ansar El Muhammad [True Founder of RBG]
Return to Davey D’s Hip Hop CornerAnsar El Muhammad, on April 26th, 2009 at 12:37 pm Said:
Yes thats right. Teach on that. We the Ansar El Muhammad are taught to be as humble as a bee. Especially with law enforcement.
Craig 17x, on May 30th, 2009 at 12:31 pm Said:
When I saw this article I had hope that it might shed light on what’s bugging the ’so-called’ Ansars and why they were so heated with Marvin X. I quickly realized that this article would do nothing of the sort. What I read (or tried to read) was some of the most sophmoric writing I have been forced to read in a while, attempting to explain something more sophisticated than the writer seems to even understand himself. What came through is that the person has an axe to grind for no reason I could get from the article except that Marvin X is a courageous writer who sometimes writes about things others disagree with. I disagree with what the writer of this hit piece says also, but for very different reasons than this writer disagrees with Marvin. First I disagree because the writing is garbage, uninteeligent and apparently spoon fed to the writer. In essence I disagree with the writing itself not the writer because, obviously this person is NOT a writer. Nor does the person seem to have an original thought to convey. All of the things that were written were simply regurgitations of a small group of people who tend to dislike Marvin, but who, at the end of the day, really don’t have the ability to explain why. I think they don’t like Marvin because he IS A WRITER and they obviously ARE NOT. Besides the fact that Marvin is usually spot on with his analysis of the way some of the charlatan/gangster/muslims and THEIR supporters get down in the community. I think that the words from my 1995 song “Liberty Ragtime” goes directly to the heart of the matter when I ask: ”
“What is fear? The only thing I fear is Allah from the earth as a clot push forward with love. Resssurect from the dead oh sleepy head. Wipe your eyes you’ve been hypnotized with lies. Like your enemies size – he’s not bigger, he’s up against an agrier nigger with a bigger trigger. Pay attention while the real enemy stands up, in ivory towers drinking out of our gold cup…”
I think that these people are simply crying spilled milk when it comes to their disdain for Marvin X. If they knew the truth they would be trying to get writing lessons from Marvin so that maybe they could annunciate the real problem more clearly.
Ansar El Muhammad s/c Haya, on July 31st, 2009 at 8:01 pm Said: Rabbanaa Faghrirlanaa Zhunubanaa: Our Lord forgive us for our sins. First and foremost if one have not took the time out to seek the truth, then the truth they will not find. Surely one does not have to be in prison to be an Ansar El Muhammad. Never been to prison but I am an Ansar El Muhammad!!!
Marvin X, on August 19th, 2009 at 8:44 am Said:
As Dr. Fritz Pointer said, there is an obscene pride in the masses in Oakland as the result of Louvelle Mixon’s actions, whether he was Ansar Muhammad or not. If you claim the neighborhood is not Ansar El Muhammad, maybe it is not. But it just happened to be where I dropped off Askari X on a number of occasions and he informed me of the demographics, otherwise how would I know anything about it?
I have no reason to slander the Ansar El Muhammad as I myself am the victom of viscious lies, slanders, misinformation from agent provocateurs–going on for forty years, ever since I joined the movement.
I have no desire to bring harm to the Ansar El Muhammad community so obviously my remarks are taken out of context and seem to be distorted by those who are haters of Marvin X so they have an axe to grind with anything I write.
The point is that Mixon, whether Ansar or not, is a hero and I will praise him as such until eternity. If he is to be disassociated from any group, he can stand on his own two feet for his valiant actions and all black men, no matter they are Muslim, Christian, Socialiist, Communist, should leave this earth like Mixon–pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back.
–Marvin X
Posted on April 13, 2009 by Davey D
TO MARVIN X #1 4-10-09
The Difference with AEM is the Muslim name: Ansar
Anyone can call themselves by a Muslim name such as Ansar. However, the Muslim Name; Ansar is not a mere Nick name. In fact the Holy Quran states; evil is a bad nick name after faith. Muslims must take a Shahada to truly receive an Attribute [Name] of ALLAH.
The name Ansar comes from the history of Islam and Life of Prophet Muhammad. The Ansar were/are the Helpers of Muhammad. The Ansar [of Arabia] had a reputation of being warriors. Today many groups loosely apply the name to their movement or organization.
Thee True Ansar of This day sign a covenant kept in a Temple Registry in order to officially wear the name Ansar. They also change all of their ID’s legally. It is most notable to acknowledge that all throughout the world there are groups using the name Ansar. There is even a city in Palestine bearing the name Ansar.
Important to note also is, that there are some differences of beliefs of those Orthodox Muslims in the Middle East, and the Black (s/c African American Muslims) in the Nation of Islam. One most significant difference is the belief in a spook or invisible god, and a heaven in the sky.
This fact is; a most important point for reflection as we investigate the motive for Marvin X’s false presumptuous, slanderous, defaming, reckless, careless and potentially deadly writings [where he attempts slandering the Ansar by Associating them with the Deadly shooting of Police Officers in Oakland]. To do this Marvin X purposely misapplies and confuses several tenets of the teachings and ignores vast differences between the ideology or interpretation of eastern Muslims and those of the Nation of Islam. As well Marvin X totally fabricated portions of his writing to suite his bogus claim.
Not only are there differences in the Islamic teachings of the Middle East and those of The Nation of Islam here in the West. There is also a difference in the manner in which the majority of members inherit the faith. Most in the Middle East are born into Islam and facing a slightly different form of oppression than we “currently” face. While the young original Black American s/c Negroes inherit the faith by discovery, often this discovery happens in stages.
Anyone vaguely familiar with the plight of the American s/c Negros knows that 85% are steeped in the western stereo-typical image and hip hop/thug culture, which in many cases, is deemed as glorifying guns, drugs, sex and violence.
Regardless to an individual’s affinity, curiosity or fascination with any organized religious group, we should not assume they are properly espousing that group’s doctrine without research and proof, nor should we assume that they are registered members of that group without research and proof. In addition, there is also the fact of a persons membership standing. Aside from fairy tales etc, reality proves that some make resolutions, commitments, and join churches, synagogues, mosques etc, and later fall back to their old, weak, or evil ways. Should the Movement they at one time sought to become a part of, be guilty for their actions after their fall from grace? Think on it [we’ll come back to that].
There is much obvious evidence that Mr. Mixon was not an Ansar El Muhammad, nor even influenced by Islam whatsoever. Marvin X Himself whereas the X popularized by the Nation of Islam, yet certainly does not hold any official membership in the Nation of Islam, nor is the Nation of Islam responsible for his slanderous writings, simply because he somewhat falsely where’s an X. Most Muslims do not hide there faith as TV shows have popularized the term [Taqiyah] as Americas atmosphere against Muslims has not risen to that level of severity, however statements, false slanderous reckless penmanship as done by Marvin X could start or speed America up on this downward trend.
Even the DC Sniper gave his name as Muhammad, though he had no current, valid, or true affiliation with the Nation of Islam. Clearly Mixon utilized the name Mixon.
Askari X, as a young black man growing up in Oakland faced the same societal influences that most s/c African American males face, with a fascination into the Thug Life, He, Askari X was later introduced to The Socialist Ideology of The UHURU movement, and later to Islam as taught by Ansar El Muhammad. The neighborhood 72nd and Lacey Street was popularized in Askari X songs only after he was influenced by His fellow group Members RBG. That neighborhood is where some of them grew up. As young Black males, they began searching for knowledge at a young age, which is how they came to espouse some of the ideology of the UHURU Movement. They later and began unofficially studying some Ansar El Muhammad literature in 1988-89. At this time the only bona-fide Ansar El Muhammad study groups were in the prison, besides [of course] those students who were released from prison and reported to Richmond to meet and follow the Baldhead Man.
Askari experienced many of the growing pains as any other young Blackman searching to find himself, and upon finding Islam as taught by Ansar El Muhammad, He sought to be restored and reestablished on his righteous square. RBG released a five song maxi single in 1989, which influenced Askari to Later write the Album, Ward of The State, which boost him into neighborhood stardom. The neighborhood [72nd and Lacey] was somewhat effected, yet nothing near the ridiculous relation given by Marvin X. Many young African American males fascinated with the hip hop phenomenon, will conform to whatever will give them access to stardom. In addition many young black people naturally gravitate to Islam as it frees them from the deceptive false religions that evolved out of the Nicean Council.
Askari X espouses a mixture of ideologies, one being that of a revolutionary, who uses carnal weapons and guns to obtain freedom, along the lines of the Black Panthers and the Afrikan Peoples Socialist Party. The other being that of s/c Black Islam [Teachings of thee Nation of Islam] as taught by Ansar El Muhammad, Thee Select One, thee ALLAH Master J, which is foundated on the teachings of Thee Messenger, Thee Glorious Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, which strictly forbids the use of or even possession of guns or carnal weapons of any sort. Askari Also mixes in various levels glorifying the Thug culture, slang, even drug use at times, all with an intent of capturing the imagination of African American youth with audio imagery similar to the conditions they grow up in. As any movie script writer, director, or producer, He [AskariX] without double standard could be innocent of any negative influence his songs may have on those who listen to his songs.
In addition, those who hear his songs may adopt some of his slogans, and even begin loosely referring to themselves by the name he promotes in the songs [Ansar or RBG]. Does this mean they are Official Members?
Of course this question relies heavily on the fact, of whether or not there is any such thing as an “Official Membership Organization.” Once an Official membership Organization is Established, a clear distinction can be easily made. Marvin X mentions the Founder of Ansar El Muhammad, yet mentions nothing of the fact that many students learned direct from the founder at a home in Richmond [which is considered the Holy City by Thee True Ansar. The neighborhoods around, 72nd and Lacey are not by any stretch of the imagination an Ansar Stronghold. Very few if any in or around that neighborhood know anything about Ansar El Muhammad, other than the name itself and the greeting “Sajada Lahu.”
A true Scholar, or good journalist, especially one who cares for black people would never, write such slanderous things about a group trying to help our struggling communities, and would never make such potentially deadly false associations in the weeks and aftermath of so many police killings.
A True scholar researches before rushing to try to catch the next trend of Popularity.
As with any Religious Ideology, there are those falsely claiming the faith, there are others who are purposely placed saboteurs, while others are innocently confused, then there are those sincere yet snared by societal addictions, yet with any good calling there are those who have achieved degrees of success in being restored to righteousness. You go tell that fox I do miracles today and tomorrow I am perfected, as Jesus stated, A friend of Politicians and sinners, yet wisdom is justified by the children.
Thee True Ansar El Muhammad students of Ansar El Muhammad Thee Select One Thee Allah Master J, were blessed to Established J’s Temple of Islam as a bona fied religious non profit organization in 2005, after serving our people since 1966 following the instruction of Thee Holy Spirit of Truth Ansar El Muhammad Thee Select One Thee Allah Master J.
To make a clear distinction between anyone who claim the name and are yet involved in the societal influence of crime etc. For anyone who seek clarification of our teachings, or would like to receive more information about our history please contact J’s Temple of Islam at 510-238-2883. You can also write us for an invitation to J’s Temple of Islam at P.O. Box 3406, Oakland, CA 94609
Yours Truly Ansar El Muhammad [True Founder of RBG]
Return to Davey D’s Hip Hop CornerAnsar El Muhammad, on April 26th, 2009 at 12:37 pm Said:
Yes thats right. Teach on that. We the Ansar El Muhammad are taught to be as humble as a bee. Especially with law enforcement.
Craig 17x, on May 30th, 2009 at 12:31 pm Said:
When I saw this article I had hope that it might shed light on what’s bugging the ’so-called’ Ansars and why they were so heated with Marvin X. I quickly realized that this article would do nothing of the sort. What I read (or tried to read) was some of the most sophmoric writing I have been forced to read in a while, attempting to explain something more sophisticated than the writer seems to even understand himself. What came through is that the person has an axe to grind for no reason I could get from the article except that Marvin X is a courageous writer who sometimes writes about things others disagree with. I disagree with what the writer of this hit piece says also, but for very different reasons than this writer disagrees with Marvin. First I disagree because the writing is garbage, uninteeligent and apparently spoon fed to the writer. In essence I disagree with the writing itself not the writer because, obviously this person is NOT a writer. Nor does the person seem to have an original thought to convey. All of the things that were written were simply regurgitations of a small group of people who tend to dislike Marvin, but who, at the end of the day, really don’t have the ability to explain why. I think they don’t like Marvin because he IS A WRITER and they obviously ARE NOT. Besides the fact that Marvin is usually spot on with his analysis of the way some of the charlatan/gangster/muslims and THEIR supporters get down in the community. I think that the words from my 1995 song “Liberty Ragtime” goes directly to the heart of the matter when I ask: ”
“What is fear? The only thing I fear is Allah from the earth as a clot push forward with love. Resssurect from the dead oh sleepy head. Wipe your eyes you’ve been hypnotized with lies. Like your enemies size – he’s not bigger, he’s up against an agrier nigger with a bigger trigger. Pay attention while the real enemy stands up, in ivory towers drinking out of our gold cup…”
I think that these people are simply crying spilled milk when it comes to their disdain for Marvin X. If they knew the truth they would be trying to get writing lessons from Marvin so that maybe they could annunciate the real problem more clearly.
Ansar El Muhammad s/c Haya, on July 31st, 2009 at 8:01 pm Said: Rabbanaa Faghrirlanaa Zhunubanaa: Our Lord forgive us for our sins. First and foremost if one have not took the time out to seek the truth, then the truth they will not find. Surely one does not have to be in prison to be an Ansar El Muhammad. Never been to prison but I am an Ansar El Muhammad!!!
Marvin X, on August 19th, 2009 at 8:44 am Said:
As Dr. Fritz Pointer said, there is an obscene pride in the masses in Oakland as the result of Louvelle Mixon’s actions, whether he was Ansar Muhammad or not. If you claim the neighborhood is not Ansar El Muhammad, maybe it is not. But it just happened to be where I dropped off Askari X on a number of occasions and he informed me of the demographics, otherwise how would I know anything about it?
I have no reason to slander the Ansar El Muhammad as I myself am the victom of viscious lies, slanders, misinformation from agent provocateurs–going on for forty years, ever since I joined the movement.
I have no desire to bring harm to the Ansar El Muhammad community so obviously my remarks are taken out of context and seem to be distorted by those who are haters of Marvin X so they have an axe to grind with anything I write.
The point is that Mixon, whether Ansar or not, is a hero and I will praise him as such until eternity. If he is to be disassociated from any group, he can stand on his own two feet for his valiant actions and all black men, no matter they are Muslim, Christian, Socialiist, Communist, should leave this earth like Mixon–pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back.
–Marvin X
Friday, August 14, 2009
Press Release
Contact:
Fahizah Alim
James Sweeney 510.435.4493
On Saturday, Aug 22, 3-6, the Honorable James W. Sweeney will host a book party for author, poet, playwright, essayist, activist Marvin X. His latest book is a memoir of Eldridge Cleaver, My Friend the Devil, introduction by Amiri Baraka, Black Bird Press, Berkeley, 2009.
According to Dr. James Garrett, Eldridge Cleaver, My Friend the Devil, is the funniest book of the year. "The more you know about black liberation history the funnier it is." The book is indeed the history of his four decade relationship with Eldridge Cleaver, from the time he was released from prison in 1966 to his death May 1, 1998.. As people have noted, this book is as much an autobiography of Marvin X as it is a biography of Cleaver. But James W. Sweeney sees it as a metaphor for all of us who may have demons in our midst--even Jesus had demons! At a recent public conversation with Marvin X at the Joyce Gordon Gallery in Oakland, Sweeney was unable to convince the audience they need to check out their own demons rather than talk about Cleaver's or Marvin's.
The book party will be held at the beautiful home of the Sweeney's in Elk Grove. Their home is a virtual art gallery with many original paintings, photographs and sculpture by black artists. Indeed, Marvin selected (from Sweeney's collection) a painting of Cleaver by Marcella Hayes for his book cover.
About Marvin X there is much to say, but in short, he was recently called "the best damn black writer in America" --Dr. Leo Casino.Rudolph Lewis says "He is one of America's great storytellers. Maybe second only to Mark Twain. Of course I'd place Marvin X ahead of him even."
Marvin X is one of the founders of the Black Arts Movement, along with Amiri Baraka, Sonia Sanchez, Nikki Giovanni and others.He is also considered the father of Muslim American literature. He has taught at UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, Fresno State University,San Francisco State University, Mills College, University of Nevada, Reno, and elsewhere. In the past year, his plays have been performed from New York to San Francisco. His recent books include How to Recover from the Addiction to White Supremacy, In the Crazy House Called America, Wish I Could Tell You the Truth, Land of My Daughters, Beyond Religion, toward Spirituality.
His writings appear often in the Oakland Post Newspaper. He assembled 22 Bay Area authors for a tribute to slain journalist Chauncey Bailey. You don't want to miss the Marvin X experience!
LOCATON: 9174 W. LAGUNA WAY
ELK GROVE 95758
Contact:
Fahizah Alim
James Sweeney 510.435.4493
On Saturday, Aug 22, 3-6, the Honorable James W. Sweeney will host a book party for author, poet, playwright, essayist, activist Marvin X. His latest book is a memoir of Eldridge Cleaver, My Friend the Devil, introduction by Amiri Baraka, Black Bird Press, Berkeley, 2009.
According to Dr. James Garrett, Eldridge Cleaver, My Friend the Devil, is the funniest book of the year. "The more you know about black liberation history the funnier it is." The book is indeed the history of his four decade relationship with Eldridge Cleaver, from the time he was released from prison in 1966 to his death May 1, 1998.. As people have noted, this book is as much an autobiography of Marvin X as it is a biography of Cleaver. But James W. Sweeney sees it as a metaphor for all of us who may have demons in our midst--even Jesus had demons! At a recent public conversation with Marvin X at the Joyce Gordon Gallery in Oakland, Sweeney was unable to convince the audience they need to check out their own demons rather than talk about Cleaver's or Marvin's.
The book party will be held at the beautiful home of the Sweeney's in Elk Grove. Their home is a virtual art gallery with many original paintings, photographs and sculpture by black artists. Indeed, Marvin selected (from Sweeney's collection) a painting of Cleaver by Marcella Hayes for his book cover.
About Marvin X there is much to say, but in short, he was recently called "the best damn black writer in America" --Dr. Leo Casino.Rudolph Lewis says "He is one of America's great storytellers. Maybe second only to Mark Twain. Of course I'd place Marvin X ahead of him even."
Marvin X is one of the founders of the Black Arts Movement, along with Amiri Baraka, Sonia Sanchez, Nikki Giovanni and others.He is also considered the father of Muslim American literature. He has taught at UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, Fresno State University,San Francisco State University, Mills College, University of Nevada, Reno, and elsewhere. In the past year, his plays have been performed from New York to San Francisco. His recent books include How to Recover from the Addiction to White Supremacy, In the Crazy House Called America, Wish I Could Tell You the Truth, Land of My Daughters, Beyond Religion, toward Spirituality.
His writings appear often in the Oakland Post Newspaper. He assembled 22 Bay Area authors for a tribute to slain journalist Chauncey Bailey. You don't want to miss the Marvin X experience!
LOCATON: 9174 W. LAGUNA WAY
ELK GROVE 95758
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
A Look Inside Baraka's The Toilet: A Love Letter to Gay and Lesbian Youth
By definition a classic is a work that withstands the test of time, fad, beyond the ephemeral. A classic theme deconstructs one or more of the eternal concerns of humanity: love, hate, life and death, or the problems of life that never seem to get solved even when the solution is quite apparent. The simple solution to hate is love, so simple we must revisit the question and solution from time to time.
Almost forty-five years ago, Amiri Baraka examined the themes of racism and homophobia in his one-act play The Toilet. The set is a high school men’s room, wherein he gathers a group of young men to decipher the meaning of love and hate. Mostly black, the young men appear to be at an urban manhood training rite. We see a myriad personalities expressing themselves in the rhythm and rhymes of the time—there are no pants sagging, no grills in teeth, but they are there seeking to discover their manhood, racial and sexual identity.
The tragedy of that time and this time is that their search for manhood and sexual identity is unorganized and haphazard, thus then and now young men must grapple with self discovery in isolated groups without mentor, elder or guide. No adult appears in The Toilet to give words of wisdom, thus the young men are adrift in their ignorance, seeking to find themselves in the midst of darkness. How ironic the setting is a high school where we assume learning is taking place, and yet learning occurs not in the classroom but the toilet. The toilet becomes the bush in African or primitive tradition, for there is terror, violence to bring transformation from hatred to love and interracial understanding.
A white boy writes a love letter to a black boy and the drama involves the resolution of this event. The white boy has crossed the racial line into the black brotherhood and suffers violence as a result—he his beaten into a pulp, bloody as a beet, half-dead when brought into The Toilet.
Gang violence is a natural happening in urban culture, senseless violence to express manhood; even sexual violence is a natural part of this oppressed society. And so the black boy is finally confronted by the white boy who loves him and the brother is physically overcome by the white boy to the chagrin of the black brotherhood. The white boy is again attacked by the toilet gang and all depart, including another white boy who had come to the defense of his white brother.
The Toilet ends with the black boy returning to embrace the white boy. Lights down.
What was Baraka trying to tell us forty-five years ago and what relevance has his message now? Since then gays and lesbians have come out of the closet, although the passage of California’s Proposition 8 denies them the right of marriage, and the gays are miffed at Blacks for supporting the proposition, although the president of the state NAACP in her role as a lobbyist opposed the bill, along with many black newspapers and several ministers who were probably paid to do so. Apparently a majority of blacks do not equate gay rights with civil rights. Are sexual rights human rights?
The question Baraka raised had to do with transcending hatred in favor of love. Proposition 8 denied gays and lesbians the right to codify their love in marriage.
Blacks are known to be sexually conservative, although they now have many children on the streets embracing the gay/lesbian lifestyle. Blacks are thus hypocritical and drowning in denial, in similar fashion to the black brothers in The Toilet who refused to consider that one of their own might have crossed the line, not only racially but sexually as well.
On my recent visit to New York to see Woody King’s production of my play (with Ed Bullins) Salaam, Huey Newton, Salaam, Baraka’s The Toilet and Hugh Fletcher’s Amarie, I was accompanied by two lesbian assistants. Of course, being a dirty old man, I tried to get at them. (See my poem Why I Love Lesbians.) And they were highly upset at my offensive language, something they should have known I am known for by those who know me. Although I imagined them to be young women, with whom I could talk adult talk, they were suffering arrested development, in search of their sexual identity, much like the brothers in The Toilet.
Nevertheless, I wanted them to spend some time with Amina Baraka who is still in grief over the lost of her lesbian daughter Shani and her lover Rayshan to homicide. I thought conversing with the young ladies, 19 and 25, would help Amina heal from the horror of losing her only daughter by Baraka. She did meet the young ladies at the theatre and immediately saw the physical similarity between one girl and her daughter, Shani. “I knew you would see that,” I told Amina. The girl, Raushanah, like Shani, had been a point guard as well. We agreed to come to Newark to spend time with Amina, but after my verbal insults, the girls declined to make the trip, even though we reconciled our issues as best we could.
I made the trip to Newark alone to hang out with the Barakas, who had me bar hoping after a wonderful dinner at the Spanish restaurant across from city hall. One of the bars we visited is owned by former mayor Sharp James, now doing prison time for corruption.
I hadn’t planned to spend the night but Amina had other plans, so she made room for me in the space they have preserved for Shani. On my last visit, she had told me that I was the first person to spend the night in Shani’s room, filled with her artifacts, several basketball size trophies, numerous awards and proclamations to her athletic prowess and mentorship.
After the last bar, we headed home. Tired, I said goodnight to the Barakas and went upstairs to my room or rather Shani’s room. I shut the door and looking around at Shani’s archives, something told me to say a prayer, so I did.
I got up the next morning early, way too early to disturb the Barakas, so I purveyed the room, and seeing the trophies were dusty, wiped them. I just happened to have a poem in my back pocket When Thy Lover Has Gone to Eternity, so I placed it between the trophies as an offering. I said another prayer before departing. And then I heard Shani speaking, saying, “No, no, no, no to hate, no, no, no, no.” She said, “Yes, yes to love, yes, yes, yes, yes.”
I shut the door and made my way downstairs, passing the sleeping Barakas and out into the cold Newark morning. At South Tenth and Clinton Streets I hailed a taxi, telling the driver to take me to John’s Place, my favorite breakfast spot in Newark. I ordered Whiting, grits and eggs, with biscuits that melted in my mouth. After breakfast, I walked to the bus stop for the ride to Penn Station and the train back across the river to New York. As I stood waiting for the bus, Shani spoke again in the winter wind, “No, no, no, no to hate. Yes, yes, yes to love.”
Shall we not love our gay and lesbian children, the many young men and women who have chosen the gay/lesbian lifestyle for whatever reason: we can say they were born that way, or have an identity crisis from feminine or matrifocal socialization (lack of manhood rites or womanhood rites), or there was sexual assault by a gay or lesbian relative, or incest by father, uncle, brother, cousin who turned the girl against all men or men against women.. We can catalogue all the possibilities yet not get to the end of the road on this matter: our gay children need help! They need love and support as they go through their daily round. We cannot simply look at them and reduce them to social rejects, or pariahs we must shun at all costs as if they are not natural but some kind of mutants from Mars.
In short, they need our help with their growing pains. All children need love, recognition and acceptance. Do you think the gay children are not suffering the normal white supremacy virus of parental abandonment, abuse and neglect? Even more so, our gay young men are suffering the highest rate of HIV infection. What shall we do—surely we can reach out and touch these young men on a suicide path—at the very least, we can educate them about the dangers of their unsafe sexual behavior.
Our lesbian children need our love and acceptance as well. Maybe some of them will return to the straight life (as if that’s anything to brag about until we evolve our spiritual consciousness from the patriarchal mentality of domination).
Again, no matter the cause of the explosion of the gay and lesbian lifestyle, it is a reality we need to deal with. Those who want to be straight should be guided, others who want to be accepted as gay or lesbian should be shown unconditional love as well.
It is wrong for anyone to hate another human being, and especially to hate a child. So let us put on the armor of God and exercise Supreme Wisdom. Either we are working with Divine power or we are on the animal plane, from which our actions are devoid of spiritual consciousness
The Toilet is a state of mind, toxic and transfixed. It must be flushed clean with pure water. There is a moment in the play when a brother goes down the row of urinals flushing each one and laughing with joy as the water flows loudly like a river. Let us flush ourselves with the royal flush of all urine and defecation in our lives, in our minds that have a stranglehold on the eternity of love, for love is all there is that is precious and real, radical and revolutionary, love, the meaning of the morning, the essence of the night, the why we rise to try again the daily round, to suffer the pain and joy—only love makes the day possible and the night bearable.
In conclusion, moral propositions become just that and nothing more, a momentary thing, until the destruction comes, then we see some things are beyond mere propositions, thoughts, a consensus of the moral or the immoral, for who is moral today, who is immoral? Who are the good guys, bad guys? Who is without sin? You are against gays and lesbians, yet you are a child molester! You are against gays and lesbians, yet you are a wife beater, a murderer, a dope dealer, a wicked teacher, a corrupt banker. Who has the high moral ground? Is it he who does the most good—in the hood? Shall he or she determine the moral code, or is this a free for all, do yo thing, I do my thing—in the Arabic: lakum dinu kum waliyadin (to you your way and to me mine, Al Qur’an).
Unless there is a consensus, who is to say what is right or wrong? We must come to a consensus on the new morality, no matter what ancient mythologies have taught us. In Divine consciousness surely we can find the Way of Love in all matters. Let us search the ancient holy books, texts, inscriptions, for the sure path, since there is doubt persisting into the night. What do the holy books say? They all teach love for all human beings.
Shall we be swayed by illusions of any kind, spiritual, physical, mental or sexual? If we reinstituted manhood and womanhood rites of passage, we might go a long way toward helping our children cross the threshold of sexual identity and toward spiritual maturation as divine beings in human form. Sexuality and other illusions become secondary to the primary objective of reaching spiritual maturity, or following our true bliss, as Joseph Campbell taught us. We want our children to sing their song into the sun and be the best they can be. We want them to transcend racial and sexual oppression and not be handicapped by anything, for under the best of circumstances life can be difficult. Let us give them the support and love to excel into the sun. They must learn to live with their life choices, just as we did. Let us not be the reason they stumble in darkness but let us be the guiding light of love and acceptance. Many of our children are simply having growing pains in a turbulent world. If we try a little tenderness and transcend our own moral blindness and hypocrisy, there is the grand possibility our children will be just fine—after all, they are entering a world we shall never see, so how can we say they are right or wrong?
--Marvin X
November, 2008
Berkeley
Almost forty-five years ago, Amiri Baraka examined the themes of racism and homophobia in his one-act play The Toilet. The set is a high school men’s room, wherein he gathers a group of young men to decipher the meaning of love and hate. Mostly black, the young men appear to be at an urban manhood training rite. We see a myriad personalities expressing themselves in the rhythm and rhymes of the time—there are no pants sagging, no grills in teeth, but they are there seeking to discover their manhood, racial and sexual identity.
The tragedy of that time and this time is that their search for manhood and sexual identity is unorganized and haphazard, thus then and now young men must grapple with self discovery in isolated groups without mentor, elder or guide. No adult appears in The Toilet to give words of wisdom, thus the young men are adrift in their ignorance, seeking to find themselves in the midst of darkness. How ironic the setting is a high school where we assume learning is taking place, and yet learning occurs not in the classroom but the toilet. The toilet becomes the bush in African or primitive tradition, for there is terror, violence to bring transformation from hatred to love and interracial understanding.
A white boy writes a love letter to a black boy and the drama involves the resolution of this event. The white boy has crossed the racial line into the black brotherhood and suffers violence as a result—he his beaten into a pulp, bloody as a beet, half-dead when brought into The Toilet.
Gang violence is a natural happening in urban culture, senseless violence to express manhood; even sexual violence is a natural part of this oppressed society. And so the black boy is finally confronted by the white boy who loves him and the brother is physically overcome by the white boy to the chagrin of the black brotherhood. The white boy is again attacked by the toilet gang and all depart, including another white boy who had come to the defense of his white brother.
The Toilet ends with the black boy returning to embrace the white boy. Lights down.
What was Baraka trying to tell us forty-five years ago and what relevance has his message now? Since then gays and lesbians have come out of the closet, although the passage of California’s Proposition 8 denies them the right of marriage, and the gays are miffed at Blacks for supporting the proposition, although the president of the state NAACP in her role as a lobbyist opposed the bill, along with many black newspapers and several ministers who were probably paid to do so. Apparently a majority of blacks do not equate gay rights with civil rights. Are sexual rights human rights?
The question Baraka raised had to do with transcending hatred in favor of love. Proposition 8 denied gays and lesbians the right to codify their love in marriage.
Blacks are known to be sexually conservative, although they now have many children on the streets embracing the gay/lesbian lifestyle. Blacks are thus hypocritical and drowning in denial, in similar fashion to the black brothers in The Toilet who refused to consider that one of their own might have crossed the line, not only racially but sexually as well.
On my recent visit to New York to see Woody King’s production of my play (with Ed Bullins) Salaam, Huey Newton, Salaam, Baraka’s The Toilet and Hugh Fletcher’s Amarie, I was accompanied by two lesbian assistants. Of course, being a dirty old man, I tried to get at them. (See my poem Why I Love Lesbians.) And they were highly upset at my offensive language, something they should have known I am known for by those who know me. Although I imagined them to be young women, with whom I could talk adult talk, they were suffering arrested development, in search of their sexual identity, much like the brothers in The Toilet.
Nevertheless, I wanted them to spend some time with Amina Baraka who is still in grief over the lost of her lesbian daughter Shani and her lover Rayshan to homicide. I thought conversing with the young ladies, 19 and 25, would help Amina heal from the horror of losing her only daughter by Baraka. She did meet the young ladies at the theatre and immediately saw the physical similarity between one girl and her daughter, Shani. “I knew you would see that,” I told Amina. The girl, Raushanah, like Shani, had been a point guard as well. We agreed to come to Newark to spend time with Amina, but after my verbal insults, the girls declined to make the trip, even though we reconciled our issues as best we could.
I made the trip to Newark alone to hang out with the Barakas, who had me bar hoping after a wonderful dinner at the Spanish restaurant across from city hall. One of the bars we visited is owned by former mayor Sharp James, now doing prison time for corruption.
I hadn’t planned to spend the night but Amina had other plans, so she made room for me in the space they have preserved for Shani. On my last visit, she had told me that I was the first person to spend the night in Shani’s room, filled with her artifacts, several basketball size trophies, numerous awards and proclamations to her athletic prowess and mentorship.
After the last bar, we headed home. Tired, I said goodnight to the Barakas and went upstairs to my room or rather Shani’s room. I shut the door and looking around at Shani’s archives, something told me to say a prayer, so I did.
I got up the next morning early, way too early to disturb the Barakas, so I purveyed the room, and seeing the trophies were dusty, wiped them. I just happened to have a poem in my back pocket When Thy Lover Has Gone to Eternity, so I placed it between the trophies as an offering. I said another prayer before departing. And then I heard Shani speaking, saying, “No, no, no, no to hate, no, no, no, no.” She said, “Yes, yes to love, yes, yes, yes, yes.”
I shut the door and made my way downstairs, passing the sleeping Barakas and out into the cold Newark morning. At South Tenth and Clinton Streets I hailed a taxi, telling the driver to take me to John’s Place, my favorite breakfast spot in Newark. I ordered Whiting, grits and eggs, with biscuits that melted in my mouth. After breakfast, I walked to the bus stop for the ride to Penn Station and the train back across the river to New York. As I stood waiting for the bus, Shani spoke again in the winter wind, “No, no, no, no to hate. Yes, yes, yes to love.”
Shall we not love our gay and lesbian children, the many young men and women who have chosen the gay/lesbian lifestyle for whatever reason: we can say they were born that way, or have an identity crisis from feminine or matrifocal socialization (lack of manhood rites or womanhood rites), or there was sexual assault by a gay or lesbian relative, or incest by father, uncle, brother, cousin who turned the girl against all men or men against women.. We can catalogue all the possibilities yet not get to the end of the road on this matter: our gay children need help! They need love and support as they go through their daily round. We cannot simply look at them and reduce them to social rejects, or pariahs we must shun at all costs as if they are not natural but some kind of mutants from Mars.
In short, they need our help with their growing pains. All children need love, recognition and acceptance. Do you think the gay children are not suffering the normal white supremacy virus of parental abandonment, abuse and neglect? Even more so, our gay young men are suffering the highest rate of HIV infection. What shall we do—surely we can reach out and touch these young men on a suicide path—at the very least, we can educate them about the dangers of their unsafe sexual behavior.
Our lesbian children need our love and acceptance as well. Maybe some of them will return to the straight life (as if that’s anything to brag about until we evolve our spiritual consciousness from the patriarchal mentality of domination).
Again, no matter the cause of the explosion of the gay and lesbian lifestyle, it is a reality we need to deal with. Those who want to be straight should be guided, others who want to be accepted as gay or lesbian should be shown unconditional love as well.
It is wrong for anyone to hate another human being, and especially to hate a child. So let us put on the armor of God and exercise Supreme Wisdom. Either we are working with Divine power or we are on the animal plane, from which our actions are devoid of spiritual consciousness
The Toilet is a state of mind, toxic and transfixed. It must be flushed clean with pure water. There is a moment in the play when a brother goes down the row of urinals flushing each one and laughing with joy as the water flows loudly like a river. Let us flush ourselves with the royal flush of all urine and defecation in our lives, in our minds that have a stranglehold on the eternity of love, for love is all there is that is precious and real, radical and revolutionary, love, the meaning of the morning, the essence of the night, the why we rise to try again the daily round, to suffer the pain and joy—only love makes the day possible and the night bearable.
In conclusion, moral propositions become just that and nothing more, a momentary thing, until the destruction comes, then we see some things are beyond mere propositions, thoughts, a consensus of the moral or the immoral, for who is moral today, who is immoral? Who are the good guys, bad guys? Who is without sin? You are against gays and lesbians, yet you are a child molester! You are against gays and lesbians, yet you are a wife beater, a murderer, a dope dealer, a wicked teacher, a corrupt banker. Who has the high moral ground? Is it he who does the most good—in the hood? Shall he or she determine the moral code, or is this a free for all, do yo thing, I do my thing—in the Arabic: lakum dinu kum waliyadin (to you your way and to me mine, Al Qur’an).
Unless there is a consensus, who is to say what is right or wrong? We must come to a consensus on the new morality, no matter what ancient mythologies have taught us. In Divine consciousness surely we can find the Way of Love in all matters. Let us search the ancient holy books, texts, inscriptions, for the sure path, since there is doubt persisting into the night. What do the holy books say? They all teach love for all human beings.
Shall we be swayed by illusions of any kind, spiritual, physical, mental or sexual? If we reinstituted manhood and womanhood rites of passage, we might go a long way toward helping our children cross the threshold of sexual identity and toward spiritual maturation as divine beings in human form. Sexuality and other illusions become secondary to the primary objective of reaching spiritual maturity, or following our true bliss, as Joseph Campbell taught us. We want our children to sing their song into the sun and be the best they can be. We want them to transcend racial and sexual oppression and not be handicapped by anything, for under the best of circumstances life can be difficult. Let us give them the support and love to excel into the sun. They must learn to live with their life choices, just as we did. Let us not be the reason they stumble in darkness but let us be the guiding light of love and acceptance. Many of our children are simply having growing pains in a turbulent world. If we try a little tenderness and transcend our own moral blindness and hypocrisy, there is the grand possibility our children will be just fine—after all, they are entering a world we shall never see, so how can we say they are right or wrong?
--Marvin X
November, 2008
Berkeley
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Plato Negro Returns to Classroom/clinic
Plato Negro Returns to his classroom/clinic
Since his successful boycott of De Lauer's Newsstand in downtown Oakland, the Oakland Police and the "Merchant Police" have said little to Plato Negro who returned to his classroom/clinic at 14th and Broadway. The common people of Oakland, including workers in the few stores, have been grabbing Mythology of Pussy at a rapid rate, not only young people but mature women/mothers who had demanded their sons and daughters read the pamphlet. Young women with men in prison are sending it to them. People will no money take the pamphlet and return with money a few days later. They drive up in cars to get Plato's manual on manhood and womanhood. In his forty years of writing, nothing has had such an electrifying affect as Mythology. There are still those petit bourgeoisie and pseudo conscious intellectuals who refuse to read it since the title is so politically incorrect. But Plato Negro has a job to do and will continue his work, despite the detractors-- even
Plato's friend, Paul Cobb, publisher of the Oakland Post, says he will not mention the pamphlet in his newspaper. But all day Friday, people came to either buy the pamphlet because they saw somebody else with it or they stopped by to give a donation because they were over joyed after reading it.
It has definitely taken second stage to Plato's memoir of Eldridge Cleaver, My friend the devil. Beyond the literature, Plato classroom/clinic was lined up with people on Friday, wanting to say a word and be listened to by the poet. They came with problems such as paranoia, believing the Masons were spying on them. A brother couldn't come to Plato's book signing because he was fighting with relatives over rights to spend time with his nieces and nephews. Although he listened patiently, Plato was trying to close shop to attend the opening of the James Baldwin exhibit at the Joyce Gordon Gallery at the end of the block, 14th and Franklin. The exhibit is by poet, photographer, painter, Ted Pontiflet. Plato escaped to the gallery and had high praise for the exhibit. As he viewed the exhibit, he recalled how Baldwin described his father as an African king in his autocratic rule of the house. When he went to Africa, he saw his father in action. Looking at the
photographs of Baldwin, especially the graphic work with Baldwin against an African sculpture, one could see he was a beautiful African man--although if one is addicted to Eurocentric aesthetics, one would say Baldwin was an ugly motherfucker.
With the Baldwin exhibit that followed Plato's book signing of his Cleaver memoir at the gallery, and the people's reaction to Mythology--it is really something to see people, young and old, walking down Broadway reading this pamphlet--and the Post Newspaper's promise to help connect writers and artists with the people, maybe media queen Jerri Lange is right when she said this might be the beginning of a black Renaissance in the Bay.
The Post is planning a mini-book fair for September in San Francisco, tentative site is Marcus Bookstore on Fillmore. Interested writers should contact Marvin X, Paul Cobb or Charlie Walker.
Plato departed the Baldwin exhibit with James W. Sweeney who will host a book party for him in Sacramento on Saturday,August 22,3-6pm. They stopped by the home of Judge Henry Ramsey who was out of town so they talked with his beautiful wife Eleanor Mason. They told her to tell the Judge he's is invited to the coming book fair, since he has released his massive autobiography. The Ramsey home is a virtual art gallery with a good number of paintings and sculpture by revolutionary artist Elizabeth Catlett Mora, including a painting by her famous husband, Poncho Mora.
--Marvin X (Plato Negro)
__._,_.___
Since his successful boycott of De Lauer's Newsstand in downtown Oakland, the Oakland Police and the "Merchant Police" have said little to Plato Negro who returned to his classroom/clinic at 14th and Broadway. The common people of Oakland, including workers in the few stores, have been grabbing Mythology of Pussy at a rapid rate, not only young people but mature women/mothers who had demanded their sons and daughters read the pamphlet. Young women with men in prison are sending it to them. People will no money take the pamphlet and return with money a few days later. They drive up in cars to get Plato's manual on manhood and womanhood. In his forty years of writing, nothing has had such an electrifying affect as Mythology. There are still those petit bourgeoisie and pseudo conscious intellectuals who refuse to read it since the title is so politically incorrect. But Plato Negro has a job to do and will continue his work, despite the detractors-- even
Plato's friend, Paul Cobb, publisher of the Oakland Post, says he will not mention the pamphlet in his newspaper. But all day Friday, people came to either buy the pamphlet because they saw somebody else with it or they stopped by to give a donation because they were over joyed after reading it.
It has definitely taken second stage to Plato's memoir of Eldridge Cleaver, My friend the devil. Beyond the literature, Plato classroom/clinic was lined up with people on Friday, wanting to say a word and be listened to by the poet. They came with problems such as paranoia, believing the Masons were spying on them. A brother couldn't come to Plato's book signing because he was fighting with relatives over rights to spend time with his nieces and nephews. Although he listened patiently, Plato was trying to close shop to attend the opening of the James Baldwin exhibit at the Joyce Gordon Gallery at the end of the block, 14th and Franklin. The exhibit is by poet, photographer, painter, Ted Pontiflet. Plato escaped to the gallery and had high praise for the exhibit. As he viewed the exhibit, he recalled how Baldwin described his father as an African king in his autocratic rule of the house. When he went to Africa, he saw his father in action. Looking at the
photographs of Baldwin, especially the graphic work with Baldwin against an African sculpture, one could see he was a beautiful African man--although if one is addicted to Eurocentric aesthetics, one would say Baldwin was an ugly motherfucker.
With the Baldwin exhibit that followed Plato's book signing of his Cleaver memoir at the gallery, and the people's reaction to Mythology--it is really something to see people, young and old, walking down Broadway reading this pamphlet--and the Post Newspaper's promise to help connect writers and artists with the people, maybe media queen Jerri Lange is right when she said this might be the beginning of a black Renaissance in the Bay.
The Post is planning a mini-book fair for September in San Francisco, tentative site is Marcus Bookstore on Fillmore. Interested writers should contact Marvin X, Paul Cobb or Charlie Walker.
Plato departed the Baldwin exhibit with James W. Sweeney who will host a book party for him in Sacramento on Saturday,August 22,3-6pm. They stopped by the home of Judge Henry Ramsey who was out of town so they talked with his beautiful wife Eleanor Mason. They told her to tell the Judge he's is invited to the coming book fair, since he has released his massive autobiography. The Ramsey home is a virtual art gallery with a good number of paintings and sculpture by revolutionary artist Elizabeth Catlett Mora, including a painting by her famous husband, Poncho Mora.
--Marvin X (Plato Negro)
__._,_.___
Monday, August 3, 2009
Intro
J. Vern Cromartie's book reflects his roots as Gullah-Geeche African. It is writing that has appeared elsewhere but collected for the first time here. We appreciate his voice, especially the language and rhythm of the South, so essential to our understanding of Self these days. I only wish he had time to be a poet full time, but only an old fool like me will devote full time to writing. Other people, like Vern, lead normal lives as in job, wife, children.
But I would like to see J. Vern explode his poetic genius, herein we are only allowed to see a glimpse of what is in his soul. Thankful for this, but wanting more, more and more. We hope you can appreciate what you read here, but I am looking to the time when he can be a full time poet, yes, let that sociology go and sing as he does so eloquently here.
Since he claims to be a student of mine, we should expect him to perform multiple tasks, so maybe I should just appreciate the poems in this volume and be thankful.
Actually, he was a student of mine when I taught theatre at Laney College in Oakland, 1981. But J. Vern says he had studied my writings in Georgia when he was a teenager. This shows how pervasive was literature from the Black Arts Movement. He is a continuation of the BAM tradition of telling it like it is in common language even a fool can understand.
Salaam,
Marvin X
J. Vern Cromartie's book reflects his roots as Gullah-Geeche African. It is writing that has appeared elsewhere but collected for the first time here. We appreciate his voice, especially the language and rhythm of the South, so essential to our understanding of Self these days. I only wish he had time to be a poet full time, but only an old fool like me will devote full time to writing. Other people, like Vern, lead normal lives as in job, wife, children.
But I would like to see J. Vern explode his poetic genius, herein we are only allowed to see a glimpse of what is in his soul. Thankful for this, but wanting more, more and more. We hope you can appreciate what you read here, but I am looking to the time when he can be a full time poet, yes, let that sociology go and sing as he does so eloquently here.
Since he claims to be a student of mine, we should expect him to perform multiple tasks, so maybe I should just appreciate the poems in this volume and be thankful.
Actually, he was a student of mine when I taught theatre at Laney College in Oakland, 1981. But J. Vern says he had studied my writings in Georgia when he was a teenager. This shows how pervasive was literature from the Black Arts Movement. He is a continuation of the BAM tradition of telling it like it is in common language even a fool can understand.
Salaam,
Marvin X
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Of Students and Teacers
Comment from Zahieb Mwongozi
It has been said that a boy is not a man until his father is dead. In his post "Marvin X Speaks" which was directed to a few of us on this line, Marvin makes several key points, and goes a long way toward establishing, what I have been suggesting to Brother Lil Joe in many of my conversations with him on this network, there are protocols we all must follow for most of the things we do in life.
Marvin makes the point that "A teacher is only as good as his students or the fruit he produces from his tree of knowledge." But as I have said "A boy is not a man until his father is dead", and at some point there is the time at which, to quote Marvin "Sons go their way."
This is to say that, just because there are disagreements between brothers, there need not be "a death in the family", ala Cain and Able. Points of departure occur, but when they do this can also be the point at which the dynamic for change, and this context, evolution may begin.
In Quantum mechanics, there is a method for calculating values on the atomic and sub-atomic level. This is kind of like how Newtonian mechanics can be used to calculate values on a larger scale. Newtonian formulas can predict where a rock will fall if someone throws it in the air. Quantum formulas try to do the same thing for atoms.
With Newtonian physics, real-world physics, one specific answer always comes up. It may not be the right answer since, for example, some factor may be forgotten, or some measurement may be misread, but it is always a single answer. Quantum physics however, always produces more than one answer, ALL of which are technically, mathematically correct. It's called "indeterminacy." Newton says the rock will land HERE; Quantum Mechanics says that the rock will land HERE and HERE and HERE.
What we have in Marvin is a clear philosophical point of origin and a cultural trajectory. However, when it comes to the independent aspect of each individual's expression of this fact, there are times when the chips will just have to land where they fall. This is tantamount to "philosophical indeterminancy". Every kettle, therefore, sits on its own bottom.
Of a certainty, I am not always "right" and I know that sometimes I may be seen to not be acting right, but my intent should, of necessity, always be measured. You have to know where I'm coming from to understand where I'm trying to go. So when we are in church and I'm trying to take my rightful place in the pew but step on a few toes, know that my heart is as big, or bigger than my foot. Accept any apologies which are due. My mouth can get quite big too, probably stretched from all the times I have put my foot in it.
But I am prepared to go toe to toe, head up with any writer or thinker when it comes to fighting for what I stand for. I have earned the right to fight from wherever I stand, and I am comforted in the knowledge that none of my enemies are on this network, of which is Marvin X is the standard bearer.
--- On Sat, 8/1/09, Marvin X Jackmon wrote:
From: Marvin X Jackmon
Subject: Re: [blackantiwar] Marvin X Speaks
To: blackantiwar@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, August 1, 2009, 1:30 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Marvin X Jackmon
To: blackantiwar@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, July 31, 2009 10:25:29 PM
Subject: [blackantiwar] Marvin X Speaks
A teacher is only as good as his students or the fruit he produces from his tree of knowledge. I know I have top students who I have learned from as well, throughout the years. Lil Joe and Zaieb are two of them, both very talented, Joe in the theory of revolution and Zaieb in the arts. Lil Joe and his comrades from southern California assisted me when I was fighting to teach at Fresno State University. I am humbled by the support they gave me, coming all the way up to San Francisco to support me at my draft trial or for refusing to fight in Vietnam. It is a long journey from LA to SF, but Lil Joe and his comrades made the trip in revolutionary solidarity.
So I thank him and them for their support. Zahieb Mwongozi had great talent as an actor, singer, poet. He performed the lead role of Marvin X in the Laney College Theatre's production of my play In the Name of Love, 1981. It was a complex role as I am a complex character--as his brother Rudi, a great pianist, said, who could play the role of Marvin X except another crazy motherfucker like Marvin X. So Zahieb performed the role. You can seem him on Youtube in In the Name of Love..
Now having said the above, there is much Zahieb can learn from Lil Joe, Gerald Ali and others on Black Anti-War, including Sam Anderson and others. Zahieb, mainly an artist, is no match for the well seasoned Lil Joe and Gerald Ali, so he really should be silent and work on his personal development, spiritual especially.
Talking loud and saying nothing is something Ancestor James Brown told us about. Show us the product of yur labor under the sun.
Huey said to me, "Jackmon, what is your program?" So I say to you all, what is your program, and let it be anything besides talk.
Surely you want to help the deaf, dumb and blind, not pontificate as some ghetto intellectual. Surely, we must be bout it bout it, as the young girls taught me many years ago.
Let us finish the task we started, there is time. Sieze the time as Bobby Seale told us. My students should study the example of their teacher. Less talk, more work.. If I don't come to the photo shoot drunk, don't you come drunk. If I don't talk about the Mythology of Pussy in the presence of women who have problems with the term, don't you mention it. Take ques from your teacher. And when you have a lesson for him, give it up, otherwise shut the fuck up and remain silent until called upon in this classroom called life.
--Marvin X
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: craig erving
To: blackantiwar@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, July 31, 2009 9:29:30 PM
Subject: [blackantiwar] Is Lil Joe Throwing In The Towel?
Lil Joe, are you throwing in the towel? Listen, you are right when you speak about the healthfullness and helpfulness of an internal polemic. In fact I am inclined to believe that this entire network would be farce if there was continued agreement on all fronts. After all, if we all agreed on here we'd be preaching to the choir and I personally don't find that useful.
The idea here is that you can't get trapped into wanting to "win" each discussion. Opinions are like assholes - everybody has one. But I don't think that nobody wants to be one.
The fact of the matter is that you, I must admit, are a rather interesting voice on this line. But I have once to hear Gerald, or anyone on this line "attack" Rachel Corrie, Martin L. King, Desmond Tutu, etc..as you have stated. What I see consistently being attacked are your points. Rather than trying to make "points" just continue to try to come up with good supports for your positions. In all fairness, you will probably continue to fail at doing this but without you or your positions (or lack thereof) it just wouldn't be as fun and illuminating on here.
Stop taking things personally - Cynthia McKinney's record stands for itself and she can probably take care of herself too. Let's see if be more than a one hit wonder and stop sounding like a broken record. There are plenty of wars for us to discuss, not just the one or two we seem to have gotten stuck in like a needle in scratched groove.
Here's some more word play for you: The root of the word ignorant is ignore.. If you start ignoring people on this line, since this is supposed to be a struggle for truth, this will mean that you are the loser.
--- On Fri, 7/31/09, Lil Joe wrote:
From: Lil Joe
Subject: [blackantiwar] Gerald's provacative lie as Subject: "Adaoma finally admits support for Zionism".
To: blackantiwar@yahoogroups.com
Date: Friday, July 31, 2009, 11:32 PM
Adaoma,
Gerald has continued to attack Cynthia McKinney and other anti-war activists, this is an anti-war list and all he does is attack people who oppsed the wars. Today he has tried to sow seeds of dissentions between list members - yourself, Craig, Miles, Marvin and me, which makes me wonder what's his purpose here. It certainly isn;t to oppose the US war in Iraq or Aghhanistan, which he never oppose. I think it best he be denied his efforts to cause conflict and tare the list apart by getting us to fight each other rather than fight US policy, Don't get me wrong. It is heathy to have internal polemics, so long as we have a common enemy and a common objective - the common enmy being the warfare state and the common objective being to stop it.
But, I have never read anything from Gerald against the warfare state or the wars, just attacks on people like Rachel Corrie, Martin Luther King, Desmond Tutu, Cynthia McKinney, Nelson Mandela and so on, accusing them of working for imperialism, and attacks on workers, strikes, unions, the Green Party and so on. Today he has tried to bring Craig, Miles and Marvin X into internal dissent. Is this why he's here? I have engaged him, he responds with evasions and false accusations, make up stories and lies. I have now decided to ignore him.
Lil Joe
--- On Fri, 7/31/09, Gerald Ali. wrote:
From: Gerald Ali.
Subject: Re: [blackantiwar] Adaoma finally admits support for Zionism.
To: blackantiwar@ yahoogroups. com
Date: Friday, July 31, 2009, 4:08 PM
I have already answered the question as to whether a one Palestinian state or a two state solution, the question was to you and liljoe.
Neither of you have posted in favour of a Palestinian state and the removal of the Israeli state. So we now all know what your real position is, in favour of a two state solution.
Exactly the same as Obama and McKinney. Exactly the same as the Zionists and the imperialists.
So its not hard for people to work out as to why McKinney suddenly went on a boat ride in the med', just as the convoy in Britain, which had already been announced, was collecting in goods, and readying the vehicles.
She made next to no preparation for it, she collected next to nothing, strange when one really thinks of it, the last convoy was started in the USA, a million dollars at least, large scale collection, large amounts donated, but none of it to McKinney, all she had was a suitcase of crayons. And that when the people in palestine wanted notebooks and laptops, for educational purposes, does she think they are all primitives ?
Has she an attitude problem ?
Just as obama became President, she was member of the democrats for years, then she accepted an invitation to stand as candidate from the green party, so she did, fat lot of chance of winning. She left the democrats, why ? Why didn't she try to stand for them as candidate, she not much politically is she.
Straw arguments, and red herrings, a speciality of both of you, will not change what has now been drawn out of you, both equivocate.
Why were you not honest enough to admit your position ?
You've just admitted as well, that you both are liars.
It was obvious to all other members what you both supported, as both of you support revisionist Christianity, and social democrat polices..
Adaoma --- Since your position is so "clear", that there should be an end to the state of Israel. How do you propose that it should be "ended".
Simple, by handing over to the Palestinians, how else ? Who else would be running a Palestinian state ?
Adaoma --- Since you are against two States, Palestine and Israel co-existing. What do propose happens to the State of Israel
If it's to be a Palestinian state, then the question of 'what happens to an Israeli state'', is fatuous is it not, there won't be one to worry about.
The idiot policy of 'co-existence was proved to be fallacious long ago.
-------
Adaoma ------ This is one is a couple of dozen questions that you avoid. So what's it going to be this time?
I've not avoided any question, I've said previously that all the answers are already in previous posts, I've also clearly explained to all members the you ignoring the fact that the answers are already there, doesn't prove they are not. So go look, as you are not far behind the copy/paste boy. Your red herrings just stink they don't do anything else.
No point trying the 'this time either' as the members are not as illiterate as you and liljeo try to make them out to be, they can read, they have memories, so maybe both of you should stop insulting them.
-------
Adaoma --- St Gerald Ali calls for the end of State of Israel...by Hamas
Your subject line is as stupid as it's author, since when did you have the power to 'create '' saints ? Straw argument and ad hominem attack, against the person not the argument, another admission.
Since when did I say anything about Hamas in this discussion ?
Liljoe has mentioned hamas, stop picking up camel excrement from your god.
An adoma argument, red herring liljoe style.
Republican in drag.
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -------
------------ --------- --------
----- Original Message -----
From: nwaakwukwo
To: blackantiwar@ yahoogroups. com ; talknigeria@ yahoogroups. com
Cc: laborpartypraxis@ yahoogroups. com
Sent: Friday, July 31, 2009 10:31 PM
Subject: [blackantiwar] St Gerald Ali calls for the end of State of Israel...by Hamas
My position is clear, end the state of Israel, something that I see again that you do not support, you want a state of Israel, as its in your perverted history books..
St Gerald Ali
http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/blackantiw ar/message/ 9607
Since your position is so "clear", that there should be an end to the state of Israel. How do you propose that it should be "ended".. Since you are against two States, Palestine and Israel co-existing. What do propose happens to the State of Israel?
This is one is a couple of dozen questions that you avoid. So whats it going to be this time?
Are you a coward or are you a revolutionary?
Adaoma
Comment from Zahieb Mwongozi
It has been said that a boy is not a man until his father is dead. In his post "Marvin X Speaks" which was directed to a few of us on this line, Marvin makes several key points, and goes a long way toward establishing, what I have been suggesting to Brother Lil Joe in many of my conversations with him on this network, there are protocols we all must follow for most of the things we do in life.
Marvin makes the point that "A teacher is only as good as his students or the fruit he produces from his tree of knowledge." But as I have said "A boy is not a man until his father is dead", and at some point there is the time at which, to quote Marvin "Sons go their way."
This is to say that, just because there are disagreements between brothers, there need not be "a death in the family", ala Cain and Able. Points of departure occur, but when they do this can also be the point at which the dynamic for change, and this context, evolution may begin.
In Quantum mechanics, there is a method for calculating values on the atomic and sub-atomic level. This is kind of like how Newtonian mechanics can be used to calculate values on a larger scale. Newtonian formulas can predict where a rock will fall if someone throws it in the air. Quantum formulas try to do the same thing for atoms.
With Newtonian physics, real-world physics, one specific answer always comes up. It may not be the right answer since, for example, some factor may be forgotten, or some measurement may be misread, but it is always a single answer. Quantum physics however, always produces more than one answer, ALL of which are technically, mathematically correct. It's called "indeterminacy." Newton says the rock will land HERE; Quantum Mechanics says that the rock will land HERE and HERE and HERE.
What we have in Marvin is a clear philosophical point of origin and a cultural trajectory. However, when it comes to the independent aspect of each individual's expression of this fact, there are times when the chips will just have to land where they fall. This is tantamount to "philosophical indeterminancy". Every kettle, therefore, sits on its own bottom.
Of a certainty, I am not always "right" and I know that sometimes I may be seen to not be acting right, but my intent should, of necessity, always be measured. You have to know where I'm coming from to understand where I'm trying to go. So when we are in church and I'm trying to take my rightful place in the pew but step on a few toes, know that my heart is as big, or bigger than my foot. Accept any apologies which are due. My mouth can get quite big too, probably stretched from all the times I have put my foot in it.
But I am prepared to go toe to toe, head up with any writer or thinker when it comes to fighting for what I stand for. I have earned the right to fight from wherever I stand, and I am comforted in the knowledge that none of my enemies are on this network, of which is Marvin X is the standard bearer.
--- On Sat, 8/1/09, Marvin X Jackmon
From: Marvin X Jackmon
Subject: Re: [blackantiwar] Marvin X Speaks
To: blackantiwar@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, August 1, 2009, 1:30 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Marvin X Jackmon
To: blackantiwar@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, July 31, 2009 10:25:29 PM
Subject: [blackantiwar] Marvin X Speaks
A teacher is only as good as his students or the fruit he produces from his tree of knowledge. I know I have top students who I have learned from as well, throughout the years. Lil Joe and Zaieb are two of them, both very talented, Joe in the theory of revolution and Zaieb in the arts. Lil Joe and his comrades from southern California assisted me when I was fighting to teach at Fresno State University. I am humbled by the support they gave me, coming all the way up to San Francisco to support me at my draft trial or for refusing to fight in Vietnam. It is a long journey from LA to SF, but Lil Joe and his comrades made the trip in revolutionary solidarity.
So I thank him and them for their support. Zahieb Mwongozi had great talent as an actor, singer, poet. He performed the lead role of Marvin X in the Laney College Theatre's production of my play In the Name of Love, 1981. It was a complex role as I am a complex character--as his brother Rudi, a great pianist, said, who could play the role of Marvin X except another crazy motherfucker like Marvin X. So Zahieb performed the role. You can seem him on Youtube in In the Name of Love..
Now having said the above, there is much Zahieb can learn from Lil Joe, Gerald Ali and others on Black Anti-War, including Sam Anderson and others. Zahieb, mainly an artist, is no match for the well seasoned Lil Joe and Gerald Ali, so he really should be silent and work on his personal development, spiritual especially.
Talking loud and saying nothing is something Ancestor James Brown told us about. Show us the product of yur labor under the sun.
Huey said to me, "Jackmon, what is your program?" So I say to you all, what is your program, and let it be anything besides talk.
Surely you want to help the deaf, dumb and blind, not pontificate as some ghetto intellectual. Surely, we must be bout it bout it, as the young girls taught me many years ago.
Let us finish the task we started, there is time. Sieze the time as Bobby Seale told us. My students should study the example of their teacher. Less talk, more work.. If I don't come to the photo shoot drunk, don't you come drunk. If I don't talk about the Mythology of Pussy in the presence of women who have problems with the term, don't you mention it. Take ques from your teacher. And when you have a lesson for him, give it up, otherwise shut the fuck up and remain silent until called upon in this classroom called life.
--Marvin X
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: craig erving
To: blackantiwar@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, July 31, 2009 9:29:30 PM
Subject: [blackantiwar] Is Lil Joe Throwing In The Towel?
Lil Joe, are you throwing in the towel? Listen, you are right when you speak about the healthfullness and helpfulness of an internal polemic. In fact I am inclined to believe that this entire network would be farce if there was continued agreement on all fronts. After all, if we all agreed on here we'd be preaching to the choir and I personally don't find that useful.
The idea here is that you can't get trapped into wanting to "win" each discussion. Opinions are like assholes - everybody has one. But I don't think that nobody wants to be one.
The fact of the matter is that you, I must admit, are a rather interesting voice on this line. But I have once to hear Gerald, or anyone on this line "attack" Rachel Corrie, Martin L. King, Desmond Tutu, etc..as you have stated. What I see consistently being attacked are your points. Rather than trying to make "points" just continue to try to come up with good supports for your positions. In all fairness, you will probably continue to fail at doing this but without you or your positions (or lack thereof) it just wouldn't be as fun and illuminating on here.
Stop taking things personally - Cynthia McKinney's record stands for itself and she can probably take care of herself too. Let's see if be more than a one hit wonder and stop sounding like a broken record. There are plenty of wars for us to discuss, not just the one or two we seem to have gotten stuck in like a needle in scratched groove.
Here's some more word play for you: The root of the word ignorant is ignore.. If you start ignoring people on this line, since this is supposed to be a struggle for truth, this will mean that you are the loser.
--- On Fri, 7/31/09, Lil Joe
From: Lil Joe
Subject: [blackantiwar] Gerald's provacative lie as Subject: "Adaoma finally admits support for Zionism".
To: blackantiwar@yahoogroups.com
Date: Friday, July 31, 2009, 11:32 PM
Adaoma,
Gerald has continued to attack Cynthia McKinney and other anti-war activists, this is an anti-war list and all he does is attack people who oppsed the wars. Today he has tried to sow seeds of dissentions between list members - yourself, Craig, Miles, Marvin and me, which makes me wonder what's his purpose here. It certainly isn;t to oppose the US war in Iraq or Aghhanistan, which he never oppose. I think it best he be denied his efforts to cause conflict and tare the list apart by getting us to fight each other rather than fight US policy, Don't get me wrong. It is heathy to have internal polemics, so long as we have a common enemy and a common objective - the common enmy being the warfare state and the common objective being to stop it.
But, I have never read anything from Gerald against the warfare state or the wars, just attacks on people like Rachel Corrie, Martin Luther King, Desmond Tutu, Cynthia McKinney, Nelson Mandela and so on, accusing them of working for imperialism, and attacks on workers, strikes, unions, the Green Party and so on. Today he has tried to bring Craig, Miles and Marvin X into internal dissent. Is this why he's here? I have engaged him, he responds with evasions and false accusations, make up stories and lies. I have now decided to ignore him.
Lil Joe
--- On Fri, 7/31/09, Gerald Ali.
From: Gerald Ali.
Subject: Re: [blackantiwar] Adaoma finally admits support for Zionism.
To: blackantiwar@ yahoogroups. com
Date: Friday, July 31, 2009, 4:08 PM
I have already answered the question as to whether a one Palestinian state or a two state solution, the question was to you and liljoe.
Neither of you have posted in favour of a Palestinian state and the removal of the Israeli state. So we now all know what your real position is, in favour of a two state solution.
Exactly the same as Obama and McKinney. Exactly the same as the Zionists and the imperialists.
So its not hard for people to work out as to why McKinney suddenly went on a boat ride in the med', just as the convoy in Britain, which had already been announced, was collecting in goods, and readying the vehicles.
She made next to no preparation for it, she collected next to nothing, strange when one really thinks of it, the last convoy was started in the USA, a million dollars at least, large scale collection, large amounts donated, but none of it to McKinney, all she had was a suitcase of crayons. And that when the people in palestine wanted notebooks and laptops, for educational purposes, does she think they are all primitives ?
Has she an attitude problem ?
Just as obama became President, she was member of the democrats for years, then she accepted an invitation to stand as candidate from the green party, so she did, fat lot of chance of winning. She left the democrats, why ? Why didn't she try to stand for them as candidate, she not much politically is she.
Straw arguments, and red herrings, a speciality of both of you, will not change what has now been drawn out of you, both equivocate.
Why were you not honest enough to admit your position ?
You've just admitted as well, that you both are liars.
It was obvious to all other members what you both supported, as both of you support revisionist Christianity, and social democrat polices..
Adaoma --- Since your position is so "clear", that there should be an end to the state of Israel. How do you propose that it should be "ended".
Simple, by handing over to the Palestinians, how else ? Who else would be running a Palestinian state ?
Adaoma --- Since you are against two States, Palestine and Israel co-existing. What do propose happens to the State of Israel
If it's to be a Palestinian state, then the question of 'what happens to an Israeli state'', is fatuous is it not, there won't be one to worry about.
The idiot policy of 'co-existence was proved to be fallacious long ago.
-------
Adaoma ------ This is one is a couple of dozen questions that you avoid. So what's it going to be this time?
I've not avoided any question, I've said previously that all the answers are already in previous posts, I've also clearly explained to all members the you ignoring the fact that the answers are already there, doesn't prove they are not. So go look, as you are not far behind the copy/paste boy. Your red herrings just stink they don't do anything else.
No point trying the 'this time either' as the members are not as illiterate as you and liljeo try to make them out to be, they can read, they have memories, so maybe both of you should stop insulting them.
-------
Adaoma --- St Gerald Ali calls for the end of State of Israel...by Hamas
Your subject line is as stupid as it's author, since when did you have the power to 'create '' saints ? Straw argument and ad hominem attack, against the person not the argument, another admission.
Since when did I say anything about Hamas in this discussion ?
Liljoe has mentioned hamas, stop picking up camel excrement from your god.
An adoma argument, red herring liljoe style.
Republican in drag.
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -------
------------ --------- --------
----- Original Message -----
From: nwaakwukwo
To: blackantiwar@ yahoogroups. com ; talknigeria@ yahoogroups. com
Cc: laborpartypraxis@ yahoogroups. com
Sent: Friday, July 31, 2009 10:31 PM
Subject: [blackantiwar] St Gerald Ali calls for the end of State of Israel...by Hamas
My position is clear, end the state of Israel, something that I see again that you do not support, you want a state of Israel, as its in your perverted history books..
St Gerald Ali
http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/blackantiw ar/message/ 9607
Since your position is so "clear", that there should be an end to the state of Israel. How do you propose that it should be "ended".. Since you are against two States, Palestine and Israel co-existing. What do propose happens to the State of Israel?
This is one is a couple of dozen questions that you avoid. So whats it going to be this time?
Are you a coward or are you a revolutionary?
Adaoma
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