We
should always remember some of our great ancestors. One
such ancestor is Lu Palmer.
On
Sunday, September 12, 2004, Lu Palmer made his transition
to eternity. Lu Palmer was an unquestioned leader, and
dedicated soldier in the struggle for Black Liberation
and independence. His spirit will remain among us forever.
As
I began to think about the tremendous contributions Brother
Lu made, over the years,
I found myself traveling down memory lane. I knew Lu for
thirty-two years and worked closely with him on innumerable
projects. During this period we became very good friends
and I considered him as one of my fathers in the movement.
Lutrelle
Fleming Palmer, Jr. was born on March 28, 1922 in Newport News, Virginia. To
understand something about Lu Palmer, you have understanding
the tremendous influence his family had on him, particularly
his father. Brother Lu was named after his father who
was an outstanding Black educator and institution builder.
Lu
Palmer, Sr. graduated from Wilberforce
University in 1911 and received
a second degree from the University of Michigan in 1912. In reading
an April 1923 edition of the Alpha Phi Alpha journal,
The Sphinx, I ran across a biographical sketch
of Lu�s father. In discussing his role as an educator
and Principal of the Huntington
High School in Newport
News, The Sphinx commented that �A big element
in the success that has attended Brother Palmer�s efforts
is his rare faculty of securing the united support of
his community.�
Over
the years, Brother Lu Palmer, Jr. secured that same kind
of support in Chicago and other places around the country for his dedicated work
in the Black Liberation Movement. In this regard, the
old adage, �Like father, like son� applies.
After
his graduation from high school Lu attended and graduated
from Virginia Union University.
Upon completing his B.A. degree, Lu entered Syracuse University and finished his M.A.
degree in journalism. Lu didn�t stop there. He attended
the University
of Iowa in pursuit of a Ph.D.
in communications. 
Lu
finished all of the necessary requirements for this degree
except for the writing of his dissertation. Lu told me
years ago that he had done extensive research in preparation
to write his dissertation, but unfortunately his notes
were lost on a train. After that mishap, Lu just kind
of gave up on the idea.
From
the early 1950s, Lu worked in a variety positions as a
journalist, communicator, writer, and educator. The name
Lu Palmer is synonymous with the quest of Black people�s
efforts in Chicago
and around the country in our fight for self determination
and independence.
For
over fifty-three years, Lu worked in the field of communications
as a journalist, as the Director of the News Bureau, as
an editor at Fisk University, as a reporter at the Tri-State
Defender, as senior writer at the Chicago
Defender, a reporter in the Peace Corps, a reporter
at The Chicago American, and as a columnist at
the Chicago Daily News.
It
was the racism and white supremacy of the Chicago Daily
News that caused Lu to resign his lucrative position
in 1972 and start his own newspaper called the Black
X-Press. Although the life of this newspaper was short-lived,
the idea and example that Lu set by taking this bold step
was indicative of his character as a true freedom fighter.
Like
his father, Lu fought for the dignity, freedom,
self determination, and independence
of Black people most of his life. Through �Lu�s Notebook,�
a radio program that aired on most Black radio stations
for some ten years, he articulated
many of the key issues that impacted on the heartbeat
of the Black Community in Chicago
and the United
States. You might remember it was
Lu who said, �It�s enough to
make a Negro turn Black.� Also,
for many years Lu served as the host of the popular WVON
night time radio show, �On Target.�
Through
Lu�s Notebook and forums, he was instrumental in mobilizing
and organizing Black people to take action around our
own self interests. Perhaps his greatest organizing venture
was the establishment of his organization, Chicago Black
United Communities (CBUC), which more than any other organization
laid the foundation for the election of Chicago�s
first Black Mayor, Harold Washington.
If
you recall, it was Lu Palmer and CBUC that convened the
Citywide Political Conference at Malcolm X College on
August 15, 1981, �To examine, to explain, to explore old
and new strategies that will enable us to chart new paths
toward full political representation and full political
empowerment - in Black precincts, in Black wards, in Black
congressional districts, in Black state legislative districts,
in City Hall and throughout this country.� 
It
was Lu Palmer that declared at this conference, and subsequently
popularized the slogan that became a reality, �We Shall
See In `83.�
We
miss Lu, but his spirit remains with us.
BlackCommentator.com
Columnist, Conrad W. Worrill, PhD, is the National Chairman Emeritus
of the National Black United Front (NBUF). Click here
to contact Dr. Worrill.
