There are times when I am reminded of why we unceasingly struggle for unequivocal change. These reminders are a part of  what makes life so worthwhile; for after all is said and done, life is the struggle and (make no mistake about it) our Black, Brown, White, Red, and Yellow young people throughout this world are really what this struggle is all about.

This writer had initially intended for today’s column to forcefully delineate to readers the Obama regime’s apparent decision to boycott the upcoming United Nations Conference On Racism, and to discuss why it is that so many so-called “activists” in this nation are excusing said regime for what is becoming a litany of a number of inexcusable and unacceptable actions. Be assured that this writer will, in a future column, specifically and precisely address some of these urgent national and international matters.

First however, allow me to share with and remind you, my readers, of how so very important our youth are and how this was recently brought home to me.

In the latter part of February of this year I was the featured so-called keynote speaker at an unpretentious event held at well known community center. However, prior to my presentation I witnessed three young Black American middle-school girls make an incredible introductory presentation of their own. Those three young girls clearly had meticulously researched their subject, Huey P. Newton and the Black Panther Party, and I was absolutely stunned and spell bound at the obvious knowledge, passion, and youthful vigor that they displayed. It was all that your writer could do to keep tears (of joy) from streaming down my face. After all, it was I who was the featured speaker.

Also present at the above mentioned event was a dear friend (Keith Baker) and his two impressive youthful sons. I later discovered that the eldest of those two dynamic adolescent young men (Wheeler Baker) had researched, prepared, and presented his incredible work on Brother Malcolm, which he entitled, ‘GANGSTA, TO LEADER, TO REVOLUTIONARY---MALCOM X.’

When your writer read the scholarly paper by a youthful Wheeler Baker, it was amazing and reinvigorating to see the following words by Wheeler, “After research at the library, online, and discussions with Mr. Pinkney, my dad, and others I was able to gather more insight on my topic. The majority of my information comes from two books, a few websites and discussions with my dad. The books include, Before the Mayflower: A History of Black America by Lerone Bennett, and The Norton Anthology of African American Literature by Henry Louis Gates Jr. The books were very useful because they included timelines of events in American history…I thought I knew about Malcolm X, but there is a lot more than meets the eye…In some ways he was both the protagonist and the antagonist. He wanted civil and human rights for Blacks and all people and he was willing to confront people directly, …by any means necessary”…Malcolm has been overlooked compared to Dr. King, as a major contributor in the fight for civil and human rights. His methods are debatable, but his contribution is not.”  So went some of the words contained within Wheeler Baker’s school essay and project, and so goes the struggle.

Ah yes, this is why we engage in this ongoing struggle and this is what makes the sacrifices and pain worthwhile.

Notwithstanding the politically hypocritical and cynical shenanigans on the part of the politicians of both the Democrat and Republican Parties (i.e. the Republicrats); more than ever before, today life must be faced, challenged, and lived. As the Black American woman Georgia Douglas Johnson poet, writer, playwright, and musician so aptly wrote, we must exuberantly live our lives “running up a hill.” Truly, this is what collective, ongoing struggle is all about.

Onward then my Black, White, Brown, Red, and Yellow sisters and brothers. Onward….!!!

BlackCommentator.com Editorial Board Member, 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 in opposition to voter suppression, etc., Pinkney was interviewed in 1988 on the nationally televised PBS NewsHour, formerly known as The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour. 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). Click here to contact Mr. Pinkney.

Any BlackCommentator.com article may be re-printed so long as it is re-printed in its entirety and full credit given to the author and www.BlackCommentator.com. If the re-print is on the Internet we additionally request a link back to the original piece on our Website.

Your comments are always welcome.

is published every Thursday