Survival of the New Afrikan Independence Movement
by Rev. Khandi Konte-BeyRev. Khandi Paasewe
©Copyright Nov’ 27ADM ®Registered Washitaw/PGRNA
Registered Washitaw/PGRNA
Outline Thesis: Discussion of New Afrikan Independence Movement Survival to
spite united states governmental policy & CONstitutional Impacts
I. Key terms
A. New Afrikan
B. grants
C. rescind
D. informed choice
E. viable options
F. plebiscite
II. Author’s note
III. Content
A. Definition of New Afrikan
B. declaration of war against Afrikans
C. brief analysis of colonial europeans founding fathers
D. Three Viable options plus one
E. Afrikan nation builders
IV. Conclusion
Author’s Note
All spellings of amerikkka, overstand vs. understand, “i” lower case, We in
capital, u.s.a., european, white, in lowercase, Black in upper case and the like
are purely intentional, as symbolic of the efforts of this author to purge from
the psychopathology which is in opposition to the Afrikan centered ethos of
which this author subscribes.
Survival of the New Afrikan Independence Movement
Thesis: Discussion of New Afrikan Independence Movement Survival to Spite
united states governmental policy & CONstitutional Impacts New Afrikans are
defined as a people linked by common experience, being captured by invaders of
the new world, sold into slavery, suffering dehumanizing treatment and were
denied basic human rights. Being denied our history, cultures, tradition and
languages, the common thread that binds community and family were broken. So
We could not build alliances on the basis of being identified as Ashanti or Hausa,
Zulu, Yoruba or Mandinka. Thus, We find a New Afrikan, with new common
bonds: Independence. New Afrikans set into full motion the revolutionary actions
necessary to fight amerikkkans for our own independence. The New Afrikan
Independence Movement grew out of a desperate need to respond to governmental
policy and CONstitutional laws of the united states.
The written declaration of war against the New Afrikan Independence Movement
in the form of Article one, paragraph one, section 9 (titled the legislative
articles/powers denied to congress), states, “…the migration of importation of
such persons as any of the states now existing shall think proper to admit,
shall not be prohibited by the congress prior to the year one thousand eight
hundred and eight…” (Burns; 1989:22C) What this means in plain english is, the
united states declares war on Afrikans in Afrika as well as New Afrikans. It
also meant the slave trade would continue another 20 years and “…the full
powers of the united states government would be used to protect all amerikkkans
engaging in the trade.” (Obadele; 1989:17) The united states, by law, supported
war in Afrika against Afrikans.
In brief analysis of some of the european colonial founding father’s writings,
We find some very interesting text, relating to New Afrikans. In the
CONstitution for example, article 4, section 2, paragraph 3, interstate
relations (in the portion some textbooks refer to as privileges & immunities),
it states, “…no person held to service or labour in one state, under the laws
thereof, escaping into another shall in consequence of any law or regulation
therein, be discharged from such service or labour, but shall be delivered up on
claim of the party to whom such service or labour may be due.” (Burns; 1989:
22d) This article was certainly never for the benefit of New Afrikans. For
amerikkkans, article 4, section 2, paragraph 3 calls for no celebration of New
Afrikans who dared to seize independence by fighting for our freedom. For New
Afrikans, article 4, section 2, paragraph 3 represents a clear, unquestionable
declaration of war which still stands today. The authors of various text books
would have us think that the 13th amendment repeals this article. Such is not
the case. Article 4, section 2, paragraph 3 is clearly defined in Imari
Obadele’s book titled, The New International Law Regime and united states
Foreign Policy, where he states, “…article 4, section 2, paragraph 3 …
pledged the full force of the united states’ state structure — president,
governors, courts, militia, army, navy, sheriffs — to prevent the quest of
freedom of the brave New Afrikans and to return those to slavery who succeeded
in winning their strikes for freedom.” (Obadele; 1991:323) Clearly, the white
founding fathers (policy makers) and their documents, they co-authored, were
designed to have damaging affects on the New Afrikan Independence Movement.
Further, more obstacles to the New Afrikan Independence Movement include the
13th, 14th, & 15th amendments. Amendment 13 made a change in the law. New
Afrikans held as slaves were no longer slave or property. Slavery was dead but
the 13th amendment was merely declamatory of the fact that New Afrikans died
with honors in the civil war for the rights of freedom.
As for the 14th amendment, where it grants citizenship, it must be noted that,
that which is granted can be rescinded. In fact, it is, at best an offer, not a
grant. It is an option which We have and have never given up our rights to. The
CONstitution assumes a conqueror’s superiority when addressing New Afrikans in
legislation under the facade of offers and grants. Such is the case with the
united states and Turtle Islander (native amer. indian) nations like the
Cherokee, Creek, and Tuscarora in which the supreme kkkourt stated these
nations and others were not completely independent but “domestic and dependent
nations.” (Obadele; 1991:323) Thus, these amendments (even if well intended,
which is questionable) are in violation of New Afrikans’ rights. Freedom,
citizenship, the vote, which the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments attempt to
address, are rights, not grants or offers or acts of legislation; rights of choice of
New Afrikans; rights demonstrated by plebiscite which has yet to occur. New
Afrikans have the right to informed choice to follow the Strategies of Struggle.
Until We vote to either:
1. build an Independent Nation State,
2. Choose united states citizenship,
3. go back to Afrika,
4. go to some other country of our choosing (not Afrika or u.s.a.); live with
independent Turtle Islander nations,
any legislation constitutes an imposition of our right to self determination.
New Afrikans must consciously and freely choose. The key element here is the
right of free informed choice. It can not be emphasized enough that New Afrikans
had and still have four logical choices of political futures. Choices other than
united states citizenship find New Afrikans far less informed, since the other
options still remain less palatable to white amerikkkans.
Another example of the CONstitution assuming a conqueror’s superiority stance is
eloquently stated in Dr. Imari Obadele’s book, Foundations of a Black Nation,
“When the u.s. bought the Virgin Islands from Denmark… the u.s. never asked
the Black Virgin Islanders… to express their views on future status. u.s.
congress simply passed a law and made all Virgin Islanders u.s. citizens.”
(1975:22) This is yet another clear example of the denial of our rights to
self-determination. For those who celebrate Kwanzaa, the New Afrikan holiday
created by Dr. Ron Karenga, you will relate to the principle of Kujichagulia
(Self Determination). Defined, self determination means, man know thyself,
determine for yourself who you are, and accept no one else’s definition of you.
Kujichagulia is one of the laws of the Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles) which
govern conscious New Afrikans’ lives and the holiday of Kwanzaa.
The New Afrikan Independence Movement is not a new concept. Available to New
Afrikans were what i refer to as the Three Viable Options, plus One. These
options were/are:
1. return to Afrika,
2. integrate into united states society,
3. build an independent Nation State or
plus one: escaped to Turtle Islander Nations.
History records a few instances where enslaved/captured Afrikans chose the
option of returning to Afrika. Such instances of resistance to enslavement
include the overtaking of the slave ship Little George in 1730, the overtaking
of the slave ship the William in 1732 and the slave ship Creole in 1841. The
Creole did not return to Afrikan but rather to the Bahamas to establish
themselves as free, independent and sovereign Afrikans. In 1820, 88 New Afrikans
arrived on the west coast in the state of Liberia. Their return to Afrika,
contributed to the building of Sierra Leone and Liberia. Hundreds of thousands
of New Afrikans believed this to be the only way to uplift a degraded people.
Among those who returned was David Coker, religious leader and schoolmaster of
Baltimore. Others who returned to Afrika include John Russwurm, college grad,
co-founder of the first New Afrikan newspaper; Alexander Crummell, minister and
scholar; Lott Carey, clergy, doctor, agriculturist; Ed W. Blyden, scholar; Henry
Garnet; and Dr. Martin Delaney who was a physician.
The next option of integration was chosen by such Afrikans as Osborne Perry
Anderson, who was a comrade of John Brown who led a force of white amerikkkans and New Afrikans on a successful attack on Harper’s Ferry (the
united states arsenal) in Virginia in 1859. Anderson’s hope was that their collective
would become a state of the united states. Instead, John Brown and others were
hung, Perry Anderson escaped and became a fugitive thereafter. Other
integrationists include Richard Allen, Frederick Douglas (who knew of John
Brown’s plan to attack Harper’s Ferry and was forced to flee to europe for fear of
united states prosecution of co-conspiracy), Harriet Tubman, David Walker,
Henry Highland Garnet, Ida B. Wells and Sojourner Truth.
The united states declared its independence in 1776. Its CONstitution went into
effect in 1789. In 1800, on October 7th, a mere dozen years after the
CONstitution was approved, General Gabriel Prosser and his secret army of over
1000 freedom fighters, armed with weapons and a careful, meticulous plan
marched towards Richmond, Virginia. Fierce thunderstorms washed out roads
and bridges, causing the revolt to be aborted. General Prosser and 22 others were
hung when their plans were discovered. General Prosser’s objective was not
merely to abolish slavery but also to establish an independent nation state. His
intentions are stated in his choice of target, the state capital. This objective
makes clear that his was a movement and not an individual or small group attack,
nor a blow in anger to kill evil slavemasters. Herein, Prophet Nat Turner
deserves honorable mention for his revolt which killed 60 whites. Abolishment of
slavery was his mission and less focused was he on New Afrikan Nation building.
As it relates to the Three Viable Options (or the Strategies of Struggle),
General Prosser was in the good company of fellow nation builders like General
Gracia. General Gracia established Gracia Real De Santa Teresa De Mose in
1739 to 1763. Then united states general andrew jackson uprooted and forced
General Gracia southward; exercising the plus one option, General Gracia
established the New Afrikan-Turtle Islander Seminole state in 1836-1842 in
Spanish Florida. General Gracia was later captured and murdered. Also,
following in the footsteps of General Gabriel Prosser was General Denmark
Vesey, in 1822, whose army numbered over 9,000. His elaborate plan centered on
total secrecy and taking Charleston. Due to special preparations by amerikkkans,
the attack was postponed. Rumors of revolt led to the arrests of Denmark, Peter
Poyas and 4 others. They died silently. The army of over 9,000 was never
discovered by the white amerikkkans.
New Afrikan freedom fighters all over the new world fought and built independent
nation states from Zumbi of Palmares Republic in Brazil; to General Kojo,
Accompong, Kofi, Johnny and Nana Acheampong (a female) in Jamaica; to
Toussaint L’Overture in Haiti. Other nation builders include Marin Delaney who
published various Black Nationalist newsletters; Rev. Tunis Campell, who built a
New Afrikan government on several islands including St. Catherine and Sapelo off
the coast of Georgia with a 275 man defense force (u.s. army forced him to give up
the islands); Henry Adams who appealed fruitlessly for land for his nation state
in Louisiana; and finally, Edward McCabe who sought to make Oklahoma his
national territory. Generals Prosser, Gracia, Vesey, Kojo and Rev. Campbell with
all the above mentioned nation builders along with those whose names escape the
history books, are prime examples of the support for and the practice of the
viable option (strategic goal) of independent nation-statehood.
The Plus One option, was not considered viable. Escape of New Afrikans to Turtle
Islander states was considered temporary. Though, temporary, many New
Afrikans resorted to finding safehaven in these communities. “The strategic goal
of escaping to the Indians and joining them was pursued by New Afrikans
individually and in groups, but arguably, this goal never became a national
strategic goal. It tended to be an expedient.” (Obadele; 1991:329) Textbooks in
amerikkka would have us think that New Afrikans escaping to Turtle Islander
nations was not necessary and that freedom fighters like Gabriel, Denmark, Tunis
and others, mentioned and not mentioned, were not worthy of note. When these
New Afrikan heroes and sheroes are briefly commented upon, it is mostly in a
unsuccessful or criminal context. But who are the real criminals? Are We to
believe that washington, adams, hamilton, madison and jefferson along with such
notables as roger sherman, robert livingston and ben franklin were lovers of
freedom? Was their love of freedom merely a part of a feel good curriculum? Who
were they really? Let’s look at a few of these men from our Afrikan centered
perspective.
The first draft of the declaration of independence of 1775 reveals a compromise
on the part of jefferson resulting in the omission of the indictment against
slavery. “thomas jefferson never had a white woman by his side after his white
wife died in 1782 and for the next twenty years as he was ambassador to france,
secretary of state, and president of the united states, jefferson only had a
Black woman by his side” named “Sally Hemmings,” as stated in the most
capable words of Dr. Leonard Jefferies, (speech published in the Saturday, August 31,
27ADM [91] issue of the New York Amsterdam News Paper:32). None of the slaves of
jefferson were ever freed by him nor were the children of Sally Hemmings nor
Sally herself.
It needs to be overstood that any New Afrikan who opposed the lovers of freedom
were taking a very principled stand. Benjamin Banneker for example, challenged
thomas jefferson’s beliefs of Afrikan inferiority. Banneker accomplished what
franklin could only take credit for. Banneker and franklin lived during the same
time period and were acquaintances. Both were scientists and creators of
almanacs. However, Banneker’s almanac was so accurate that it is still the basis
of almanacs of today, where franklin’s is not. Banneker was an inventor and
engineer. When Banneker City (washington dc) was in jeopardy of not being built
because the frenchman who had the plans left taking them with him, Banneker,
from memory, drafted the plans. Therefore, Benjamin Banneker represents more
than ben franklin (at least in the hears and minds of conscious New Afrikans).
The real criminals? Throughout history franklin has taken credit for the works
of Banneker. But isn’t that typical behavior of white amerikkka? Lewis Latimer’s
work was taken credit for, by thomas edison. Granville Wood’s work was taken
credit for by alexander graham bell. Woods was a New Afrikan who is quoted in
Dr. Jeffries’s speech, taking the principled stand of “i’m not going to be
bought off by a white man.” (Jeffries; 1991:32) Woods and his brother
established the Woods Electric Co. in Ohio. It also should be noted in the face
of text book omissions, that Woods took edison to kkkourt twice for stealing
his patents and Woods won the case. So, We have franklin and jefferson, for
example, with other white criminals who were claiming freedom for themselves,
while simultaneously trying to protect and preserve the system of slavery,
cultural imperialism and oppression of Afrikans globally.
The New Afrikan Independence Movement today is still being met with violent
opposition just as in the days of Tunis, Gabriel, Denmark and others. Those
seeking the option of building our own New Afrikan independent nation state,
like our New Afrikan ancestors, still sit, today, in u.s. jails, dead,
discredited, in exile or in the underground network. The fact is, neither the
state of Mississippi CONstitution, for example, nor the u.s. federal government
CONstitution provides any methods whereby New Afrikans may exercise our right
to build an independent nation, separating ourselves peacefully from the u.s.
Congressman Fauntleroy and Conyers have forwarded legal documents on behalf
of those seeking the option of an independent nation, placing proposals in the
hands of richard nixon. With the exception of violent attacks against New
Afrikans doing nation building work around the country, the u.s. chooses to
ignore any such proposals.
So, in conclusion, the
the