“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. |
Sep 16, 2010 - Issue 393
is
published every Thursday
