African Flags in the "West Indian Day Parade"
By Alton H. Maddox, Jr.
Fourteen years ago, "Negrophobia" was running amuck in the South. Terrorist groups were taking aim at and torching Black churches, the hearts and souls of Black communities. We had the first "Black" president in the White House, in 1996, even though several Black presidents had preceded him. This fact was unknown to leading Blacks.
Fourteen years later, it is Islamphobia running amuck in the United States. Efforts are afoot to stop the construction of mosques in lower Manhattan and in Murfreesboro, TN despite the unambiguous language of the First Amendment which allows for freedom of religion.
Under the Tea Party's definition of the First Amendment, the United States is a Christian nation. Religious bigotry first arose with the "Black Muslims". It had already existed, however, during slavery. Blacks were "heathens". This was a religious justification for slavery.
In 1996, Rev. Al Sharpton and I had a speaking relationship even though he was more comfortable being identified with the National Action Network than the United African Movement. Marcus Garvey and Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. were both victims of American racism. Slave traders did not seize us, in the first place, because of offensive political philosophies.
Even though the march down Fifth Avenue in 1996 was designed to honor Dr. W.E.B. DuBois' silent march in 1917 against lynching, it was also happening to bring attention to unfettered religious bigotry in the United States. Thus, the destination of the march was the United Nations.
The secret motivation for the march was a directive of Mayor Rudolph Giuliani that the police would regulate the First Amendment activities of Black activists. In late 1995, the NYPD had arrested Sharpton, Imhotep Gary Byrd and Dr. James McIntosh, among others, for seeking to march down Fifth Avenue without a police permit.
Neither the Black church nor Sharpton knew the ulterior motive for the march. The backbone of Giuliani's obstructionist policies had to be broken because they were having a chilling effect on Black activism. On that day in July 1996, the NYPD was outnumbered. It had no choice but to retreat or feel the wrath of the people.
This was the first time in the history of the United States that the flag of every African country in Africa or the African diaspora had been displayed in a march on American soil. It was fitting that the march was to the United Nations. The burning of Black churches would come to a screeching halt. UAM had orchestrated more than a feeble demonstration against religious bigotry.
Racial unity will be again displayed at the "West Indian Day Parade" on Monday, September 6 at 10:00 a.m. on Eastern Parkway and Buffalo Avenue in Brooklyn. Thanks to John Smith, Harold Wilbert and James Bryson, all of the flags of African nations in the Caribbean and the flags of many other African nations elsewhere will be carried during the parade.
Flags first arose in ancient Egypt. Since Ghana gained its independence and after it combined the original colors of Ethiopia with the pan-African colors of the UNIA, many African countries, which later gained their independence, were inspired by these colors. These colors represent a pan-African front. On the other hand, Liberia has the colors of the United States.
Mr. Garvey's red, black and green will also be prominent on the banner of the Freedom Party. Although Max Folds lives outside New York State today, he never forgets UAM. He ranks at the top of those persons who manufacture banners. This banner will also be carried on Monday by supporters of the Freedom Party.
The history and culture of a people is also represented on a flag. It is more than a piece of cloth. We should also remember on Monday of the various struggles in the Caribbean to break the yoke of oppression. This can be gleaned from studying these flags. History and culture should never take a vacation.
The Freedom Party's presence in the "West Indian Day parade" will be a first. Never before in the history of this country have Blacks, acting in concert with Latinos, formed a political party on American soil with ballot-status. This is a necessary component of Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech.
Kudos must first go to the 43,500 voters who signed the petitions of the Freedom Party. To allow for participation of the people, the Freedom Party must take a bottom-to-top approach. The candidates must come from the people as servants and not masters.
Power to the people! The black panther was the original symbol, in 1994, of the Freedom Party. Fifty-three thousand voters signed these petitions. Because of a fear of white terrorists, some Blacks hallucinate that the black panther is an offensive symbol. They are unaware of its historic roots in Tuskegee and Lowndes County, Alabama.