MY People are Rising, by Aaron Dixon, A former Black Panther speaks at Columbia College
On September 19, 2014 Haymarket Books hosted an event to put a spotlight on the events that were unfolding in Ferguson MO. Mr. Aaron Dixon, a former Black Panther, was the guest speaker. The event was held at Columbia College, 623 S. Wabash, Chicago. Mr. Dixon likened the events in Ferguson to the Watts riots in LA during the 1960's and in many ways how things remain eerily the same in regard to race relations. He highlighted the rise of individualism over the focus on revolutionary or activist forces that were evident before. "What's with this preoccupation with selfies anyway"?, he asked. The current cultural system is money, materialism and individualism. A bigger sense of social conscience, that was pervasive then, is needed now.
The Black Panthers such as, Huey Newton, Bobby Seal, Fred Hampton understood that prolonged gang warfare would not unite those in need of representation. The Panthers, unknown to many, had two images. One, the defiant Black revolutionary group. Two, the organization that united street gangs to provide housing and meals to inner city residents such as free breakfast under the Survival Programs. The Media almost exclusively focused on the former. Since those in power can control the media, they define the story. The Black Panther newspaper was routinely intercepted by the FBI.
Mr. Dixon toured Gaza and the West Bank. The people there are constantly struggling to live within a zombie state and repressive police departments. Gaza, Watts, Ferguson and South Side of Chicago share many of the same struggles of living and trying to be heard. In effect all those oppressed share the struggle of the those in Palestine.
When asked about Mr. Dixon's role models, he responded with Jesse Jackson, Eldridge Cleaver, Shirley Chisom and Fred Hampton. Super Predatory Capitalism has exposed our young people to a form of economic PTSD, shell shock from the lack of equality and fairness. His advice going forward was to connect with elders, fight the cult of individualism, egoism and perpetual war that destroys families.
The Black Panthers such as, Huey Newton, Bobby Seal, Fred Hampton understood that prolonged gang warfare would not unite those in need of representation. The Panthers, unknown to many, had two images. One, the defiant Black revolutionary group. Two, the organization that united street gangs to provide housing and meals to inner city residents such as free breakfast under the Survival Programs. The Media almost exclusively focused on the former. Since those in power can control the media, they define the story. The Black Panther newspaper was routinely intercepted by the FBI.
Mr. Dixon toured Gaza and the West Bank. The people there are constantly struggling to live within a zombie state and repressive police departments. Gaza, Watts, Ferguson and South Side of Chicago share many of the same struggles of living and trying to be heard. In effect all those oppressed share the struggle of the those in Palestine.
When asked about Mr. Dixon's role models, he responded with Jesse Jackson, Eldridge Cleaver, Shirley Chisom and Fred Hampton. Super Predatory Capitalism has exposed our young people to a form of economic PTSD, shell shock from the lack of equality and fairness. His advice going forward was to connect with elders, fight the cult of individualism, egoism and perpetual war that destroys families.
Students gather at Columbia College to hear Mr. Aaron Dixon discuss the recent events at Ferguson, MO. He put those events into historical context in regard to Watts, Detroit and Chicago riots of the 1960's.