Defending the Indefensible

Published in Issue 496 of The Black Commentator on November 29, 2012
By Larry Pinkney

“I demand that notice be taken of my negating activity insofar as I pursue something other than life; insofar as I do battle for the creation of a human world – that is, of a world of reciprocal recognitions.”–Frantz Fanon

Almost nothing is more painful than observing a people commit political suicide. Yet, this is precisely the case with respect to a huge segment of Black America, under the misleadership of most of the so-called black intelligentsia, as it pertains to the undeserved support accorded to the NDAA-signing, ‘Kill List,’ war mongering, double-talking Barack Obama.

The “integrity” that was once so dearly cherished by most of Black America has been replaced by the crass opportunism and unprincipled “compromise” of a tiny but influential black elite. The principles, incalculable suffering, and enormous sacrifices made by so many have been, at least for the historical moment, overwhelmingly distorted, erased, and all but forgotten. This is the horrible price currently being exacted from Black America collectively for its enormous and blind support of this current corporate-owned head of the U.S. Empire in black face. And the negation of our principles and sacrifices will continue unless or until Black America re-awakens from its systemically induced stupor and comes to its collective senses.

Black America collectively, can no longer make genuine claim to being in opposition to the systemic injustices, tyranny, and ravages of the U.S. Empire at home and abroad while simultaneously supporting the head of the Empire – for to do so would not only be hypocritical but also a vain attempt to defend the indefensible. Either we genuinely support the legitimate and necessary struggles by everyday ordinary Black, White, Brown, Red, and Yellow people for economic, political, and social justice or we do not. We cannot have it both ways simultaneously.

The atrocities being committed by the U.S. Empire and its lackeys (both overtly and covertly) around the world against the everyday peoples of Palestine, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, Pakistan, Afghanistan and elsewhere on Mother Earth are utterly unacceptable. The blood of the children, women and men in those countries is on our collective hands. And yes, the increasing economic austerity, corporate hegemony, and systemic physical and psychological brutality against everyday ordinary people of all colors right here in the United States will worsen unless and until we remove our blinders and politically organize, RESIST, and say a resounding NO – to the corporate-owned Democrats and Republicans from the White House on down!

The principles, incalculable suffering, and enormous sacrifices made by so many have been, at least for the historical moment, overwhelmingly distorted, erased, and all but forgotten.

Frantz Fanon was absolutely correct when he referred to “doing battle for the creation of a human world…” Now, more than ever, is there the need for both this “battle” and “a human,” indeed humane, world. This will not occur through osmosis. We, the everyday ordinary people, must make it so.

The choice is clear: We will stand with the Empire or we must stand with the everyday ordinary people of this nation and world! There is no middle ground. In the name of humanity, we must stand with the people!

Remember: Each one, reach one. Each one, teach one. Onward, then, my sisters and brothers. Onward!

Larry Pinkney is a veteran of the Black Panther Party, the former Minister of Interior of the Republic of New Africa, a former political prisoner and the only American to have successfully self-authored his civil/political rights case to the United Nations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. In connection with his political organizing activities, Pinkney was interviewed in 1988 on the nationally televised PBS News Hour, formerly known as The MacNeil/Lehrer News Hour, and more recently on the nationally syndicated Alex Jones Show. Pinkney is a former university instructor of political science and international relations, and his writings have been published in various places, including The Boston Globe, San Francisco BayView newspaper, Black Commentator, Intrepid Report, Global Research (Canada), LINKE ZEITUNG (Germany), 107 Cowgate (Ireland and Scotland), and Mayihlome News (Azania/South Africa). He is in the archives of Dr. Huey P. Newton (Stanford University, CA), cofounder of the Black Panther Party. For more about Larry Pinkney see the book, Saying No to Power: Autobiography of a 20th Century Activist and Thinker, by William Mandel [Introduction by Howard Zinn]. (Click here to read excerpts from the book.)