Black
Generals to Honor Sharpton
By Woody Henderson
During Black
History month it is important that we ensure that those
who would oppose our rights as American citizens acknowledge
that so many of us and our ancestors fought, sacrificed
and died in the struggle to insure the United States of
America's existence as a free nation. Hariet Tubman, Crispus
Attacks, Phyllis Wheatley and countless others fought
for the rights of all Americans to enjoy the fruit of
life, liberty and justice for all.
From the Revolutionary
War to the War on Terrorism, African Americans have again
and again proven their patriotism. However, there are
certain elements in our society that constantly try to
diminish the contributions, importance and patriotism
of people of color in general and African American leaders
in particular.
It is easy
to take something from people if they don't believe what
you are taking is theirs. To oppress people, one of the
first things is to convince those you want to oppress
that they have no rights to that which you don't want
them to enjoy.
When Rev.
Sharpton and others protest or raise their voices about
violations of our constitutional rights, that is a patriotic
thing. When we seek equal justice under the law, that
is a patriotic thing. There is nothing wrong with being
a patriot but there is something wrong with invoking the
names of your ancestors and then denying your claim to
the very rights they fought and died for.
Over 150
years ago in a speech at a Negro convention in Philadelphia
(attended by the likes of Sojourner Truth and Fredrick
Douglas), Henry Highland Garnet, the great orator and
ally of Denmark Vesey, said to those in attendance and
consequently to those of us alive today, who were born
in these United States of America and are of African descent,
and I quote him. " Forget not that you are native born
American citizens, and as such, you are justly entitled
to all the rights that are granted to the freest." In
that particular part of his speech he was warning us that
it is easy for someone to withhold your rights when you
won't acknowledge that you have already earned them.
This Saturday
February 16, 2002 the National Action Network's radio
broadcast, at 10:a.m. on WLIB 1190 and WWRL 1600 on the
AM dial, will address among other things patriotism of
African Americans and their leaders past and present.
During that broadcast General Samuel W. Phillips and General
Nathaniel James, recent and current presidents of the
369th Veterans Association, (world famous "Harlem Hellfighters")
will present an American Flag to Rev. Al Sharpton. The
presentation to Rev. Sharpton by these two great African
American generals will be assisted by the Harlem Youth
Marines Cadet Corp, who were the only organization invited
to represent the entire state of New York in the 1997
Inaugural parade in Washington DC.
This presentation
and the flag itself are to honor Rev. Sharpton for his
fight for our constitutional rights and his tireless struggle
to secure justice for all Americans. That flag will be
installed in the House of Justice where it will remain
on display at all times. We invite you to attend this
rally and broadcast at 1941 Madison Avenue between 125th
and 124th streets. We believe your presence at this broadcast
and presentation will enhance the significance of the
event.
As Roy Wood,
that great Black News commentator, used to say "Now run
and tell that."
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