If you did not know the very intelligent and Charismatic former mayor of Chicago, Harold Lee Washington, and then you didn’t know Chicago politics. Harold Washington started off as an American attorney and then went into politics from there, in the state of Illinois.
Bold moves, a strong personality, and his like-ability thrust him into becoming the 41st selected mayor of the city of Chicago.
Washington is also the first African American mayor to be elected in Chicago. He served from 1983 until the time of his unexpected death in 1987.
Harold Washington is certainly considered a black radical, his bold stance on equality for all people cemented his iconic image and legacy. The fact that he was an African American gave him much more popularity and notoriety.
A True Chicago Black Radical, Mayor Harold Washington
It also gave him much strife and conflict from the Chicago Democratic political machine. Harold brought the hope President Obama’s campaign brought to the country, to Chicago. And that is why he is a true Chicago black radical.
The great Nigerian author, Chinua Achebe wrote a classic and literary powerful book that told a story of colonialism in a light that was not seen or heard of prior to. Caucasian European historians had dominated the field in telling the story of Africa from their isolated and often, biased point of view.
When Chinua Achebe published his book, Things Fall Apart, he told of the harsh reality of colonialism that nearly every country in the world, who’d been colonized (inappropriately) resonated with.
Because of this resonation, Achebe received countless letters, even from Korea regarding their ability to relate to the story. Korean women felt Achebe told their story. Revealing colonialism is a worldwide conundrum put in place by Caucasian (white) Europeans with evil intent.
the Radical Author of Things Fall Apart
A Black Radical in his own right, Achebe was a novelist, poet, professor, and activist. His first book or novel, Things Fall Apart, is considered the most read book in modern African literature.
Radical Author Follows His Heart
He won the Man Booker International Prize in 2007, for authors that is a big deal. Established in Igbo town in Nigeria and was a top student. He won scholarships to study medicine but ultimately decided to follow his heart and study English literature.
The Biafra war broke and he supported the Biafran independence, even presented himself as an ambassador.
Achebe believed colonialism was a vicious attempt to take a nation from the responsible elders and put it into the hands of the lesser responsible youth. This is where fight and struggle, violence, destruction, and war comes from. The destruction is perpetrated and staged by the oppressor.
BlAcK RaDiCal Achebe Had Tough Times with Publishers
The black radical talks about his tumultuous relationship with publishers and with politics in general. He was loved all over the world where people appreciate a humanitarian, writer, fighter-for-the-people, and a voice for the oppressed. Enjoy this video of a true #blackradical.
Malcolm X Explains Some of His Reasons for Departure
This is a sad implication and story from the great black radical Malcolm X. In the video above, brother Malcolm shares why he was slowly yet rapidly separated and out of the Black Muslim organization lead by the honorable Elijah Muhammad.
Malcolm addresses the fornication being presented by Elijah Muhammad’s son. In addition to this, the hypocrisy of the handling of the situations really frustrated brother, Malcolm. The hypocrisy dealt with the women. The secretaries for Elijah Muhammad were mysteriously coming up pregnant.
When they were found pregnant with no apparent husband, they were brought before the congregation, shamed and isolated.
Nevertheless, the men or man whom they’d been impregnated by were never brought forward, nor shamed. After this occurred with the fourth or fifth secretary, suspicions grew.
It can be presumed that the man impregnating these women was also paying them off to keep them silent. After a few years, when the number grew past seven women, two of the women rebelled.
They began spreading their story in the streets of Chicago, getting the attention of Elijah Muhammad’s own grown son.
Malcolm X Explains His Reasons for Departure
Elijah’s son gets the information to brother Malcolm. The man impregnating these women was indeed the “honorable” Elijah Muhammed. Brother Malcolm contacts Elijah, who admits to it, but gives Malcolm a reason why it was okay or necessary.
Obviously, with brother Malcolm becoming a whistle-blower for righteousness, and his whistle was blowing against the leader of the Black Muslim movement in America; this would cause troubles for the whistleblower. Brother Malcolm’s life became endangered by the very organization he was a part of to champion the black cause.
This is a disheartening story of the bonds being broken among negro people, yet it is a true one. What are your comments on the video?
Marcus Garvey had the desire to create a nation for the American Negro or black person. Along with uniting black Caribbeans and South Americans with their native African brothers and sisters. Garvey attempted some pretty big goals even by today’s standards.
Fellow black Americans often called him insane, whites and government officials said he was a lunatic. These labels are often placed on revolutionaries or “ahead of their time leaders,” who have goals so big people often faint. In the documentary, it is revealed that Marcus Garvey had an extreme ego.
A Powerful Black Nation
He did not take advice kindly or at all. He was compelled in his mind to do things his way. This often alienated him from other black leaders and supporters. He started something bigger than himself and when this occurs, one can’t keep their hands on every detail, no matter how they wish and try.
Marcus Garvey loved reading and was inspired and motivated by his mother to be great. She even often referred to him as Moses that he would be a great deliverer for his people. At the age of 2, Marcus Garvey ran into Booker T Washington’s book, Up from slavery.
This book radically changed his life and perspective. He set out to change the world for black people. However, his early life wasn’t the best. A bad money manager, unstable in relationships, such as that with one Amy Ashwood, and a high ego caused many setbacks.
Still, his overall objective remained. His ideas failed in Jamaica, but it would have new life in America.
He left for NYC. Garvey realized things were worse in America than it was in Jamaica and once he saw a massacre take place against black women and babies, he decided it was time for black people to fight back.
It was time out for taking a silent approach to racial conflicts.
Disunity of Black Was the Problem
He declared that whites take advantage of blacks because blacks all over the world are disunited. Garvey preached that he was the equal of any white man. He declared Africa’s images from whites were false. False images of cannibals, when in reality, Africans were intelligent, advanced, and very civilized. He declared blacks must unite.
This is the key to any black radical movement. I hope you enjoy this documentary and learn key notes from this black pioneer, and black radical.
The 43 minute video of a panel of actors, writers, comedians, and entertainers, entertain the topic of racism in America in 1969. James Baldwin does most of the talking in the video and answering the questions. One of the questions asked was which was better, black power or integration?
Baldwin claimed both were necessary. I agree in the sense that black power needs to maintain it’s focus. The focus should be based on increasing the political, economical, spiritual, and psychological mindset of the entire people and race.
These things need to be done first for the people to understand the next step, which would be integration; a controlled integration.
In the field of equality, of justice, and of freedom, Baldwin as well as the others, only wish to make (white) Americans aware or conscious. White America should be made conscious of their unconscious behavior towards the oppressed people of the nation.
These oppressed people, often thought of as black or negro, are also partnered with other oppressed in America, mainly poor whites.
Why Negro and not Blackman?
Another question brought up in the video was why does James call the “African American” a “NEGRO” and not a blackman?
James replied, in summary, the names he uses are not names he created. Instead, they are names that were given to him by the kidnappers and robbers. These robber stole the “NEGRO” from his native continent of Africa.
Enjoy the video of this Black Radical, James Baldwin.
