“The price of freedom is death.”

 -Malcolm X [el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz]

“Death is never a trick; nature doesn’t play a comedy;

instead, it’s a tragic, colossal and unstoppable drama.”

-L. Fuerbach [German Philosopher]

The transformation from life to death is an inevitable one for us all. Yet, what is of controlling importance is the role we play in the struggle to uplift the human condition of everyday Black, White, Brown, Red, and Yellow people, prior to our inevitable transformation.

At the age of 72, Dr. Walters made his transformation on Friday evening, September 10, 2010. While it is undeniably true that Dr. Walters is, and will continue to be sorely missed, the human family can and should celebrate the unswerving dedication and accomplishments of this freedom fighter and scholar. As an active columnist and editorial board member for The Black Commentator Dr. Walters was tireless in his efforts to broaden and enhance critical thinking. As an author and a professor Emeritus of the University of Maryland, College Park his writings and thoughts touched people far and wide.

Moreover, Dr. Walters was consistent in his belief that we, the people, must politically organize “locally” in order to have a real impact nationally and globally. The importance and correctness of his position in this regard is irrefutable.

Even as our women and men elders make their transformations and pass on, it is incumbent upon all of us to keep their legacies alive by actively imbuing in younger generations the absolute necessity of and for critical thinking, combined with relentless organizing in this crucial ongoing people’s struggle. We must put an end to blood-sucking corporate hegemony, joblessness, home foreclosures, homelessness, and the despicable and bloody U.S. wars abroad. We must critically THINK and ACT accordingly.

The recent deaths of persons such as Abbey Lincoln, Marilyn Buck, and now Dr. Ron Walters (to name but a few) serve not only as a reminder of our own mortality,  but also emphasizes the absolute urgency of this ongoing people’s struggle for economic, political, and social justice.

Each of us has a duty and obligation to uplift ourselves and our Black, White, Brown, Red, and Yellow sisters and brothers of this human family. There is no more arduous or sweeter task! And it is at hand HERE and NOW! It is not easy but it must be done!

Before our inevitable transformations from life to death transpire, let us engage and intensify in the struggle to bring about real systemic transformation, real systemic change. With heavy hearts we bid farewell to brother Ron Walters, and yet, it is with joyful and determined hearts that we rededicate ourselves to carry on in this, the struggle for, of, and with everyday Black, White, Brown, Red, and Yellow people. Aluta Continua!!!

Onward now my sisters and brothers! Onward!!! 

Click here to send a condolence message to the family of Ron Walters.

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 News Hour, formerly known as The MacNeil/Lehrer News Hour. 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.