Jitu Weusi and Kwame Ture: Two of my Heroes Maybe some time in the not too far distant future, the truth of history will get a hearing and these two giants will get their rightful place in the pantheon of great freedom fighters and institution builders and initiators of great movements.. They are gone now and I just believe that wherever they have landed there will be a reception committee and they will get their reward. I still miss them very much. I reckon one of the reasons is that the photos some large some small pervades my home, my offices and church. After the Greek and Trojan war and the heroes of the Greeks Achilles and Hector of the Trojans were killed along with other highly regarded leaders; in the movie that I saw or video I can’t remember which, a narrator came on to describe the war and the life and times of these heroes. Then he said, “I lived in the time of Achilles and Hector. Men rise and fall like the summer wheat, but there are some names which will live forever. I walked with giants." I can say that I am blessed to have lived in the time of giants of the human spirit. I walked with Jitu Weusi, Sam Pinn, Al Vann, Dr. Betty Shabazz, Winnie and Nelson Mandela, Shirley Chisholm, Percy Sutton, Basil Paterson, Roscoe Brown, Kwame Ture, and of course Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and too many others to mention. I will paraphrase the old Spiritual, “if you miss me down here I’ll be gone up to join the ancestors, God the Father of us all, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and all the Heavenly Hosts" what a time! what a time! What a glorious reunion that will be! Returning back to Black Power Revisited.. When the marchers approached Yazoo City, near Jackson, on the anniversary of the murders of Andrew Goodman, James Cheney and Mickey Schreiner in Philadelphia, Mississippi, it was decided that some of the marchers would go to Philadelphia (Philadelphia, Mississippi is where Ronald Reagan announced his candidacy for the president of the United States). There, Dr. King would lead a march through the black community to the court house steps. Kwame would organize and lead a march through the black community to the courthouse. It was a horrifying experience in the town. White racists heckled and threatened the marchers as well as interrupted the ceremony. That night, carloads of white racists went through the black community firing their weapons. However, it was different this time, as the community returned the fire. At the usual rally that evening, the debate heated up on self-defense. It was the first time one of the Deacons for Defense, Ernest Thomas, spoke from the platform. He issued a warning that if anybody interfered with the marches, they would be putting their lives on the line. In Greenwood, Mississippi another confrontation occurred. Greenwood was the home of Byron De La Beckwith, murderer of Medgar Evers. In addition, word had leaked out that present was one of the state troopers who had beaten Mrs. Fannie Lou Hamer and others in a Winoa jail, the night Medgar Evers was murdered. Kwame insisted to the police commander that the officer had to be removed. The commander complied with the demand. A confrontation occurred when the marchers, with the permission of the black school board, sought to set up their tents on the schoolyard. The police officers insisted that they were not going to allow it to happen. They were wrong. The tents were erected. During the confrontation, Kwame was jailed. He was released in time for the rally that evening. During the rally, the crowd was angry and defiant. It was at this rally that Kwame made the call for Black Power. Of course, it was nothing new. During their years of organizing in the Delta, they had constantly talked about Black Power. As Kwame rose to speak, Willie Ricks said to him, “Drop it now. The people are ready. Drop it now.” Cleve Sellers relates what took place: “Stokely, who’d been released from jail just minutes before the rally began, was the last speaker. He was preceded by McKissick, Dr. King and Willie Ricks. Like the rest of us, they were angry about Stokley’s unnecessary arrest. Their speeches were particularly militant. When Stokely moved forward to speak, the crowd greeted him with a huge roar. He acknowledged his reception with a raised arm and a clinched fist.” “Realizing that he was in his element, with his people, Stokely let it all hang out. “This is the 27th time I’ve been arrested-and I ain’t going to jail no more!’The crowd exploded in cheers and clapping.” “The only way we gonna stop them white men from whuppin’ us, is to take over. We’vebeen saying freedom for six years and we ain’t got nothin’.What we gonna start saying now is BLACK POWER!” “The crowd was right with him. They picked up his thoughts immediately.” “BLACK POWER! They roared in unison.” “Willie Ricks, who is as good at orchestrating the emotions of a crowd as anyone I have ever seen, sprang into action. Jumping to the platform, he yelled to the crowd ‘What do you want?’ “BLACK POWER!” “What do you want?” “BLACK POWER!” “What do you want?” “BLACK POWER!!! BLACK POWER!!! BLACK POWER!!!” “Everything that happened afterward was in response to that moment. More than anything, it assured that the Meredith March Against Fear would go down in history as one of the major turning points in the Black Liberation Struggle.” - Sellers, The River of No Return. Kwame said they left Greenwood with more new black voters on the rolls in a couple of days than they had been able to achieve in four hard difficult, bloody years.

We had our typical morning routine with the Basketball players, prayer, and Sunday Service. My Sermon topic was where there is no vision, the people perish. In my sermon I remembered a couple of quotes “the work without vision is drudgery. Then there is the quote from Benjamin E. Mays, former President of Morehouse college once said,” the tragedy of life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy of life is having no goal to reach. It isn’t a calamity to die with dreams unfulfilled, but it is certainly a calamity not to dream. It is not a disaster to be unable to capture your ideal, but it is a disaster to have no ideals to capture.” What this quote teaches us is that we are here to have a vision. It is our God-likeness to not only have a vision but to have the creative energy to realize the vision. The societies in which we live may so stifle us from the cradle to the grave that the only thoughts we can have is how to survive from day to day. You tell me what is your vision of life and I can substantially say who you are and where you’re headed. The story of Tupac Shakur comes to mind whenever I think, or preach about visions, ideals, goals of life, etc. He once told me that when he wanted to achieve an objective he would draw/ find a picture and put it over his bed, he would not sleep in the bed. He would sleep on the floor, bathroom, couch, chair anywhere but on the bed. He would stare at the picture everyday. When he was finished I said to him “ Hey Pac, I didn’t know you were into metaphysical theology.” He responded, “Pastor, I don't know what you’re talking about.” He had stumbled upon a universal principle, that if you have a vision and your consuming desire is to achieve that vision, that goal, that ideal. And you are prepared to do anything and everything to achieve that vision. Either you will be drawn to all that is necessary to help you achieve the objective or things will be drawn to you making the dream a reality. In any event a rendezvous will occur, you will be drawn to it or it will be drawn to you. I said to the people, how much are you willing to pay for your vision? Anything worth achieving will come with a price tag. Remember a dream without work is a daydream. I posted the second part of the Seven Lessons The Resurrection Of Jesus Christ Teaches! Part Two Part one I posted three lessons and I promised I would address the other four at a later date, that date has come. Following are the four lessons: Lesson four: The Authorization to Authorize; After the Resurrection Jesus said to His disciples “I have been given all authority in heaven and earth. Therefore go make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things I taught you. In this lesson, Jesus places upon the disciples the responsibility to spread the gospel (good news) Lesson five: With you to the end! In the conversation Jesus had with His disciples, He assured them that He would be with them till the end. Matt.28:18-20 Lesson six: The promise of the Holy Spirit. Jesus instructed His disciples not to leave Jerusalem until they were baptized with the Holy Spirit and they were to be witnesses about Him in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the utter most part of the world. Acts 1: 6-8. In this lesson, again Jesus emphasizes He is placing upon the disciples to live and teach what He had lived and taught. Lesson Seven: Jesus is coming again. Acts: 9–12. These seven lessons, I believe, captures the true story of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. May God in the name of Jesus the Anointed bless all who read and empower us to: Save the Planet, Save the People.

The above title was what Black people in America knew Paul Robeson, who was one of the greatest among the greats. Well, I guess there would be a friendly controversy surrounding who was the tallest tree in the forest. It is highly commendable to be a tree of any size in the forest but the tallest tree, I guess it depends upon the relatives, friends, supporters, and comrades’ opinions. City Hall steps on the occasion of Mandela’s visit to New York, Left to right: Harry Belafonte, Bishop Desmond TuTu, his wife Leah TuTu. I’m standing, on my way to my seat. In the office with my wife, Dr. Karen Daughtry, Harry Belafonte, Nelson Mandela. The March to Free South Africa; Free Mandela: from left to right: Arthur Ashe, the great tennis player. David Nyaba, South Africa Representative. Harry Belafonte, Harriet Machel, President, NY Urban League, myself, Council Member Charles Barron. Surely there would be those who would say that Harry Belafonte was the tallest tree in the forest, especially among performing artists. Whether we choose Paul Robeson, Ossie Davis and others, I know that there will be those who offer their favorite tree and it's all good. What they did encouraged us to use our talents, skills, resources, whatever we are blessed to have in the cause to advance our people in particular and to make the world a better place for all the human family. I first heard of Harry when I was around 15 or 16 years of age back in the late 1940s. We saw him at Birdland, the famous jazz night spot. My elders used to sneak me into the club. They thought I showed promise and they wanted to take credit for my development. Showing promise didn't mean I was headed in the right direction; they had another concept of showing promise. In any event, it was there we first saw and heard Harry Belafonte. The information in the Jersey City community, where I lived at the time, was that there was a CAT named Belafonte, we had problems trying to say his name, this CAT could whale. (CAT in those days was what we called our friends, today we call them dogs. I hope no one asks me why we use the animal creatures to describe us. Whale meant exceptional). Harry Belafonte was a Whaling Cat! That's the highest compliment we could pay him. As the years went by, I got to meet him, and increasingly my admiration for him kept pace with his popularity derived from combining his humanitarianism, his participation in the struggle for human rights and self-determination, and his artistic brilliance. And then we got to participate in different struggles around various issues. Community Violence There was a lot of concern about violence in the community. Harry Belafonte had some connection with Governor Cuomo. I think he was Governor Cuomo’s troubleshooter. When Yusuf Hawkins was killed in 1989, we organized many marches into Bensonhurst Brooklyn. The Reverend Al Sharpton led the marches that were tension packed. Many people felt we were walking on a powder keg. Anything and/or another act of violence would have caused an explosion that would spread throughout New York and maybe the nation. Belafonte came out to the community and convened leaders both Black and White in a round table discussion regarding violence, unity, and resources to improve the community and what wonderful things we could do together. He exuded compassion, concern, and respect for the issues as well as the people involved. Also, he had concern for the future that racial violence was going to accelerate and we had an opportunity to set an example of communities working together. Police Violence A young teenager named Dante Johnson was shot by the police in the Bronx. He laid in a coma for weeks. I visited him regularly with his mother and prayed with him, friends and relatives and prayed for him and his family. I later learned that Harry Belafonte was a hero to the family. I got in touch with Harry Belafonte and asked him if he would visit Dante. He readily gave an affirmative answer. He visited Dante in Lincoln hospital while he was still in a coma. Dante later recovered. I am sure that it was God's doing to bring healing to this young man and I am also sure that Harry Belafonte played a part. Harry had something to say about police brutality and killings. He was very critical of the behavior of the police in the black and brown communities in particular. Thus, we see a side of Harry Belafonte that maybe only a few of his countless admirers knew; his concern at the community level – the concern “for the LEAST of us in society.” He was the personification of the poets’ words “he could walk among Kings and keep the common touch.” National On the national stage Harry was an indispensable participant in the civil rights movement. We all know of his friendship with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We all know that he marched with MLK and raised huge sums of money to support the movement and particularly, Dr. King. When Dr. King Jr. was jailed and needed money, Harry spearheaded the raising of huge sums of money. I am straining to keep from telling you the people that he touched and how much they gave and how they gave it. Suffice it to say he exerted all of his influence and put astronomical sums of money at the disposal of Dr. MLK Jr. International On the international scene we work closely on the Free South Africa, Free Mandela global movement. When we succeeded in helping Mandela’s release, a New York welcoming committee was put together. My wife, Dr. Karen Daughtry and Mrs. Julie Belafonte, Harry Belafonte's wife, was the Co-chairs of the Women's Division of the Welcoming Committee. Harry and I spent many days planning, strategizing, rehearsing and discussing the movement. My wife and I were invited on occasion to their Manhattan home and to his home abroad. We spent the time reminiscing, reflection. He told me many stories about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the leaders and events of the Civil Rights movement. One in particular that stands out in my mind, maybe because it was near the death of Dr. King. He said that while Dr. King was sitting in his (Harry) home in New York, he noticed that Dr. King developed a nervous twitch. He stated that Dr. King was under tremendous pressure. The next time Harry saw him, Dr. King was calm, calm and serene. He asked Dr. King what had happened and why there was no more nervous twitch. Dr. King stated that he felt a peace within his spirit. It was not long after that that Dr. King made his last speech in Memphis. In this speech you remember Dr. King said, “I don't know what will happen now; we've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter to me now, because I've been to the mountaintop. But we as a people will make it to the Promised Land.” During the visit of Nelson Mandela and his wife Winnie Mandela and the African Congress delegation, Harry Belafonte was at our church many times. The last time we were standing in the back of the sanctuary while Dr. Karen and Ms. Julie were conducting service in the pulpit, we shouted from the back of the church,” keep the pressure on, keep the pressure on, keep the pressure on .” We had reference to the negotiations going on in South Africa with the President Frederik William de Klerk and his administration regarding the transference of power. We marched and rallied together many times in many places. When Winnie Mandela made her first public speech at the House of the Lord Church, she said, “if the negotiation falls apart she will be the first one back in the bush.” We loved Harry Belafonte very much. He had a love for people that was comprehensive and that reached all levels of society. He had a passion for peace and a passion to change the world which drove him to expend endless time, boundless energy, superlative talent and astronomical resources of his own and what he could raise in humanitarian enterprises, world peace, and global human rights. He was the personification of selfless service. I remember when we honored Paul Robeson; the family requested Harry Belafonte to help organize the celebrities and the community. Harry called me and asked if I would gather the community to attend the Paul Robeson celebration. I did as any of us who loved Harry would do if he asked us. For we knew it was for some cause or other people. But even if it were for Harry Belafonte we would do whatever he asked of us. We had a great celebration that night by one of the tallest trees in the forest orchestrated by another tall trees in the forest. We will miss him. The world will not quite seem the same with Harry Belafonte gone from among us. But thank God, death does not make a final end. We are still in the month of the resurrection of Jesus Christ who promised us that we will be with him in his eternal mansions and there will be no more death. So long old friend, we will remember you and we will miss you, but we will carry on until our day comes and we will meet together in the grand and glorious reunion. To the Belafonte family, from my family, Church and Community of Faithfuls send our love, condolences, our constant prayers and ready service even as Harry loved and served us.

Wednesday, April 12th, 2023 We had our Morning prayer before we left and submitted the details on the press release from Sharman Blake. JOURNEY TO ATLANTA GA, 37TH Dr. MLK Jr. BOARD of PREACHERS & LAITY The flight was smooth, we departed for Atlanta to be inducted in the 37th Annual MLK Board of Preachers. We arrived at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Atlanta, GA. We were staying at the same hotel as we did for the Proctor Conference. Thursday, April 13th, 2023 We arrived at the MLK international Chapel at 830 am. The chapel has recently undergone an $11 million dollar renovation or refurbishment. We, other inductees, gathered in a large spacious reception room. Immediately I was impressed with the large photos around the walls. And the Dr. MLK Jr. showcase, the length of one of the walls containing his family, photos and quotations. Our lecture was delivered by Dr. Lawrence Edward Carter Sr. who is the Dean of the Chapel. He gave us a history on how the Chapel was started, then he took us on a tour through narrow corridors up and down flights of stairs and all along the way were huge photos. I think I remember 193 total. They call it the "Walls that Talk." After the lecture and the tour, a continental breakfast was prepared. Then we donned our vestments and lined up to march into the chapel. It is huge. I think it accommodates the entire student body. We paused at the top of the stairs looking towards the stage, there were four landings which provided access to rows of chairs. I was honored to be the first on the line, Bishop Leah, daughter followed me. I don’t think it had to do with achievements, but with age. After marching down the long stairs we arrived on stage and proceeded with the ceremony. Then commenced the program, called to order by the Dean Rev. Carter. Then the challenge to the inductees delivered by the Rev. Dr. Amos Brown Senior Pastor who served that church. The charge was an 8-paragraph statement. One of the paragraphs stated, “Finally I charge you to use your time, talent, tender and technology to help usher in an age of diversity, maturity, peace and non-violence for the children of the world, to raise another generation of ethically inspired leaders committed to building a radically inclusive humanity.” After the charge the presentation of citations was presented. The citations were in a rolling container which were collected at the end of the ceremony and given back to us as we entered the luncheon at noon. It was a rather impressive citation, which described the history and why we were given the citation. Introducing the speaker was Dr. David A. Thomas, 12th President of Morehouse college. Musical selection followed and then the speaker Rev. Dr. Thomas Bryant, president of the American Psychological Association and Professor at Pepperdine University. Indeed she merged her training psychological and theological. She described the troubles of the world and her psychological interpretation for the causes with emphasis on the individual failures to adjust thus creating the pervasive suicides, violence and disorientation of every description. Throughout the presentation, there was the evidence of the preacher. The message was interspersed with Scripture references and Black preacher rhythm and cadence. In a word she was super, super, super. After which there was the photo ops. At the conclusion of the ceremony we headed to the gym for lunch, one of the speakers was the Honorable Reverend Suzan Johnson Cook, DMIN.She was appointed Ambassador during the Clinton Administration. The MLK International chapel at Morehouse college was started 49 years ago, but Morehouse College itself had a very humble beginning. It was founded in 1787 at the base of the Baptist church in Augusta, GA. Springfield Baptist, is the oldest independent African American church in the United States. Its primary purpose was to prepare black men for medicine and teaching. Augusta Institute was founded by Rev. William Jefferson White an Augusta Baptist minister. Morehouse College which is located on a 66 acre campus in Atlanta, GA. Of course it enjoys an international reputation for producing leaders who have influenced national and world history. In 1879, Frank Quarles moved to the basement of Friendship Baptist church in Atlanta and changed its name to Atlanta Baptist Seminary. The land on which Morehouse sits was a gift from a.d. Rockefeller. Atlanta Baptist Seminary became Atlanta Baptist College during their administration of Dr. George Sale, a Canadian who served as the third and youngest President from 1890-1906. Quote from a brochure entitled: Morehouse College, Then and Now. “ That the place a monument marks the site for the confederate soldiers made their last stand. Atlanta, was considered the gateway to the South. The Rockefeller's were also the builder of Riverside Church in Manhattan. There is a humor attached to one of the old church songs, “ Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty, Early in the morning the song shall rise to thee.” They changed it to, “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord Rockefeller, our songs shall rise to thee.” I conclude that I was honored to be among all of the distinguished inductees. I shall resist the temptation to call names less if I forget someone. But I want all of my inductees, especially my daughter to know I shall treasure the moment for the rest of my life. I will treasure the moment I was with them for the rest of my life. Friday, April 14th, 2023 After breakfast at the hotel, we headed to the airport. Our flight was not as smooth as when we were on the trip to Atlanta. When I arrived back home we did a radio interview with Imhotep Byrd and Herb Boyd. Imhotep has this idea to do a series of radio programs on the Spirit of movements. He said he was inspired by the death of Dr. MLK Jr.’s 55th anniversary of his death. I was the first participant. Saturday, April 15th, 2023 Attended Rally I attended NAN’s annual convention, Rev. Al Sharpton, president. I attended three workshops. The Social Justice workshop, this was moderated by Michael Hardy, who is also one of the attorneys for the NAN. Achieving Political Power Hip-Hop Panel opening statements were made by Al B Sure and Rev. Al Sharpton, moderated by Ashley Sharpton. There were 6 rappers. Rev Sharpton in his remarks pointed out that there were good and inspirational messages coming from the positive side of hip-hop. But he pointed out it was the negative side which had been captured by money interest. I could not stay long. But, having still in the corners of my mind the interview that I did with Imhotep on the spirit of a movement. I tried to think of what spirit did hip-hop bring to the movement of its generation? and for the life of me, I could not think of the contributions hip-hop made to our freedom struggle. Obviously, there might have been a contribution here and there, but generally speaking it seemed that hip-hop culture reflected and reinforced the deniety of our community. Yes they told the truth about the stuff that they rapped about. It was happening in our community. But generally speaking hip-hop culture did not resurrect, did not revolutionize the mentally and culturally dead in our community. It mirrored what was there. It didn't revolutionize, it didn’t inspire aspirations for high ideals of life. Although one of the greats of hip-hop culture, Tupac Shakur that I have written about and talked often, might be an exception to the rule in that he seemed to synthesize the negative and the positive. There was much good that he did that he didn’t care to have it publicized, but there were some things that were non productive. I used to talk to him about these things. He once said while he was incarcerated that he knew he was called for a higher purpose. Read my books on Tupac Shakur: Seed Planted in Stone, Letters to a Stone, 50th Anniversary on Hip-Hop. (View under the books tab on the homepage)

Sunday, April 9th, 2023 - Easter Sunday No basketball prayer this morning, we had our Men's prayer and Sunday Service. I posted 3/7 lessons the Resurrection of Jesus teaches us: Seven Lessons The Resurrection Of Jesus Christ Teaches! Scriptures: Matt. 28:18-20 Mark 16:1-8 Acts 1:6-8 If I were a visitor to earth, I would have difficulty under standing what was the real meaning of Easter; what with all the new fancy clothes,Easter eggs hunts and rolls, Bunny Rabbits, and chocolate candy, parades and Easter bonnets. We don’t see the same thing happening with other Religions’ High Holy Days. The same with Christmas, the real meaning is loss amid commercialization, cultural falsification, and children fairy tales, oh yea, let me not forget,Black Comedian s desecrating the Black Church with their self hating, idiotic buffoonery and demeaning imitation of white vaudeville acts and we encourage them with self hating laughter and big pay checks. But there is a real meaning to these High Holy Days you may have to search hard to find it, But It Is There! And it is well worth your search. Now, here is what I believe, at least some of the meaning, that the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, who I believe was not just another Prophet as worthy as they may be, not another religious Teacher or Rabbi as venerated as they ought to be, but He was the Anointed, Messiah, Christ teaches. Victory over death! I don’t care to have a discussion on what happens after death. There are too many beliefs and interpretations in and among Religions to have a discussion on the here after. Suffice it to say, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ teaches Death Does Not Make A Final End! The Resurrection teaches, Victory of Good over evil. The devil may have his day on Friday but Sunday Morning is coming. The devil may seem to be winning war for the souls of God’s Creatures and Creation but the very strategies that the devil and his cohorts employ God turns them into instruments and maneuvers love, righteousness and victory. The Resurrection teaches Forgiveness. Now, look at Mark 1:7. The Angel says to Mary Magdalene, out whom Jesus cast seven devils, Mary the mother of James and Salome, they had come to the to the tomb with spices to anoint Jesus’ body, Jesus is not here, He going to Galilee, tell His disciples, and Peter to meet him there. Notice the and Peter, wasn’t Peter one of the disciples? Probably Peter didn’t think so, after all he had denied Jesus when Jesus needed him most and he was probably thinking of the many other instances that he failed, made mistakes,and he was some where in deep remorse thinking that Jesus had rejected him. He was no longer a part of the group. So Jesus wanted to reassure him, all had been forgiven. He was still in the group! What a loving, reassuring message the Resurrection of Jesus Christ send to all who feel torn with guilt, dejected and rejected because of past sins,failures and mistakes, may even feel suicidal, Cheer Up my brothers and sisters, God,the Almighty Creator, has sent Jesus Christ Looking for you! Monday, April 10th, 2023 We had our morning session, more participation as a result of posting the prayer. I posted on the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop/ Celebrating 50 years of Hip Hop - from hell or heaven? This year we celebrate 50 years of hip-hop. The controversy still rages on, was it from hell or heaven? Was it good or was it bad? Like most subjects and issues in life the answer probably lies in both hell and heaven. Some good, some bad. God initiates the positive but we interject the negative. The truth is hip-hop has been around for more than 50 years, as we shall see as we proceed. The rhythm, sound, poetry, movement, vibrations and creativity was in Africa long before we ever arrived on the shores of the Americas; before the slave ships ever came to Africa. (I just attended a conference, one of the awardees was Doctor David Daniels. He is a widely recognized author, particularly in the church world. He pointed out in his presentation that Europeans did not bring Christianity to Africa, but Christianity was in Africa before Europeans. arrived the enslaved Africans brought Christianity with them on the slave ships and thus to America). Read more via the category.. We discussed on our Timbuktu Learning Center the two young black men in Nashville, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson were being put out, one was reinstated as of tonight. Tuesday, April 11th, 2023 I reposted a Facebook Memory and added my own words. Remembering Phillip Pannell! A year ago we, Mrs. Pannell, daughter Natacha, and others gathered in Interval Park around the Tree of Remembrance. It’s been 33 years now since Phillip was shot in the back and the “Pain is still there “ said Mrs. Pannell, echoing the expression I’ve heard from countless mothers for 60 years- inconsolable mothers and others whose loved ones, especially children, were killed by street violence, even more painful when they are killed by the police as was the case with Phillip Pannell, he was only FIFTEEN! Memory: “Yesterday 4/10/22 we gathered in Interval park in Teaneck N.J. around the Memorial Tree in memory of 15 year old Phillip Pannell who was killed, shot in the back by P. O. Gary Spath 32 years ago. Mother Mrs. Pannell Sis. Natasha and host of family and friends, including Mr. Mrs Webster. After many days and nights Webster led a March from Teaneck to Trenton N.J. In my memorial message I said ,”There is an African Proverb that says, ‘As long as a person's name is spoken in the Village they will never die’ Let us continue speaking Phillip name here and everywhere.”

Saturday, April 1, 2023: I attended the National Action Network (NAN) Rally early SatuRday morning. Sunday, April 2, 2023 Another full day, this being Palm Sunday. Our prayer with the basketball players as usual has been a couple of weeks since I had been present. I want to thank Minister Gregory for filling in during my absence. After the prayer with the basketball players we had our 845am Men’s prayer. Then we had our 11:30am Sunday worship, the first and third Sunday’s we worship in person. It was good to be in our church building we lease on Palm Sunday. My message was the three lessons of Palm Sunday. From the book of Matthew 21:1-. The event is the week before Jesus was crucified, He came into the city of Jerusalem. The people, it seems, spontaneously began cheering and taking off their coats spreading it out before Him and waving branches in celebration. He goes into the temple and finds the money-changers and other business happening. He became furious and overturned the tables of the money-changers and began to chase them out of the Temple. And then the sick and lain came to Him and He healed them. Three lessons: 1. As Jesus had instructed His disciples where to go and there would be a donkey awaiting them. And they were to untie and bring the donkey to him. If someone should inquire what they are doing. They are to inform the person what the donkey was for. Here we see Jesus moved pertinently. He had contacts in various places. So there is a secrecy about some of his movements. Rightly so because they were always spies or people trying to trap him into doing something or saying something that would be against the law. 2. The aculation, the celebration of the people. I always wondered why Jesus went along with this apparent charade. Because by the weekend some of the same people were crying and crucifying him. They went from celebration to crucifixion in a week. Was he teaching us how fickle the crowd is, not to depend upon the masses for they may change overnight. But nevertheless to love the masses and to be among the people and to serve the people and some will hear the message and become committed to the gospel. 3. Is one that I have drawn on across the years. When Jesus went into the Holy place as the Scripture has said, he disrupted the legitimate legal business operation. These were not crooks or thieves as we define criminality. These were highly respected businessmen, yet Jesus saw it differently and disrupted the businesses, turning over tables and seemingly exercising a degree of violence as he pushed. Then after being disrupted in the same place, same day, the sick came to him and healed them there. The powerful lesson is that Jesus did not say I am an activist and I believe in radical action, no he said I believe in praying and fasting for the people. Let the others do the confrontation and civil disobedience. What Jesus said, by his actions, there is no dichotomy when addressing human need. Both those that were exploited having unfair business practices although legal and those that were physically in need of healing. Both needed to be made whole. Both needed help. The money changers with the religious help set up a system that required secular money, just plain money to be changed in the temple which means that if you had $100, it had to be changed into Holy money and you might get back $75 for your $100. Now you have to buy something to bring to worship. The Bible teaches you should bring something when you come to worship. You remember the widow woman who only had a penny, Jesus didn’t say put that penny back in your pocket, but He held it up as a teaching moment, saying whatever you give or the amount that you give has its value depending upon how much you have. This is why paying tithes and giving an offering is fair. So back in the Temple the dove might cost $2 in the marketplace, but you needed to have a Holy dove that would cost you double the amount. Now keep in mind people would save all year long, deny themselves, putting their pennies away to get to the temple to worship God. So when they got to the Temple, they were being exploited. And Jesus became angry. You will notice that he didn’t get angry because of what was happening to Him, but what was happening to the people. A good question for ourselves. What makes us angry? Do we get angry when people are exploited or dehumanized? Do we get angry when people are denied opportunities that are freely given to others? So these are the lessons of Palm Sunday. In the evening, my wife and I enjoyed a Sunday dinner at one of our favorite restaurants.

A Seed Planted in Stone The Life and Times of Tupac Shakur by The Reverend Herbert Daughtry Acknowledgements Special thanks to ●      To my wife, Dr. Karen Smith Daughtry, advisor; ●      My children: Leah, and her firm, The Written Word, which served as editor and designer for this publication. Sharon for her support and advice. Dawnique for her typing and deciphering skills. Herb, Jr., my attorney, for his always sound legal advice; ●      Sharman Blake, public relations consultant, Blake Enterprises; ●      Sr. Minister Dorothy M. Isaac, Robin Renaud, Alicia Jerriho, and Laverne Walker, for their patient typing Who Will Weep for Tupac Shakur? A Sermon delivered at The House of the Lord Church Brooklyn, New York Sunday, September 15, 1996 It is now 3:15 am. And I am driven to put to paper some thoughts about Tupac Shakur, gone from this life forever, at least in the flesh. What shall I say of this young man who lived such a flamboyant, violent, tumultuous life, and who died at 25 years old on September 13, 1996. Let me speak first to his membership in church. Tupac's mother, Afeni, brought him and his sister to this holy place. The three of them stood right there at the altar and united with this congregation. He was a lad of about ten years. When I asked him what he wanted to be, he replied, "a revolutionary." Needless to say, I was surprised; I ought not to have been. There is a saying concerning "a chip off the old block" or "the twig doesn't fall too far from the tree." His mother, Afeni who was pregnant with him while incarcerated for allegedly plotting to bomb something, later found not guilty, was a revolutionary. She was a member of the Black Panther Party, a group of young black men and women who, some years ago, created enormous fear among some whites and a certain kind of black. Afeni was committed to making things better for the masses. She was a revolutionary. If revolution means complete change, she wanted that. Afeni wanted a complete change for the better and she thought that could happen with the Black Panthers. Later she was to fall on hard times, but we are not here to tell her story. We're here to remember Tupac. Tupac the revolutionary. He said, "I want to be a revolutionary." Maybe that explains his life. He wanted change. I know there are those who will say he went about it the wrong way. But that is not for me to judge. I will leave that to God and others. I confess I'm not good at that sort of thing. But let us remember, we shall be judged by the judgment we render, says the scripture and again, "you that are without sin, let him cast the first stone." Indeed, "the evil that men do live after the good is often interred with their bones" said Mark Anthony at the death of Caesar. But to say that Tupac wanted to be a revolutionary - that he wanted to change things - but that he didn't know how is not harsh. We disagreed with how he went about it and I think that those of us who loved him, in spite of everything, told him so. And if we would be criticized for that, then criticize God too, for that is where we learned it. The Bible says, "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son..” Those of us who loved him can accept the criticism of his method. We wanted better from his behavior and words and we told him that. He had such prodigious talent. He was so likable when he wanted to be. Tupac had such fierce determination. He went from the gutter of extreme poverty and devastating rejection to reach the mountain top of success. After he joined the church, he played as any normal child. He laughed. He cried. He played with other children. And then Afeni took him to Baltimore. They told me he did well in school. He was smart. In the Performing Arts School, Tupac was an exceptional student. After moving out West they said he hit bottom. He was constantly looking for a place to stay and something to eat. It seemed nobody liked him in those days, except his mother, who, as we all know, was struggling with her own problems. Finally he made it. He became a star. He was a success. I would see him from time to time when he would come back to New York. His mother would call me and ask me to talk to him, but those were fleeting, superficial visits. When he was shot back in 1994, he sent for me. I visited him in Bellevue Hospital. He had just been operated on. His head was bandaged and he seemed to be semi-conscious. I said to him, "Son, I'm going to pray for you and you are going to be alright." I put my hand on him and prayed for him - a brief prayer - and I departed. When I returned to my church about a half hour later, I was told that Tupac had gotten up and was gone from the hospital. We were to have many belly laughs about that later. During the time when he was incarcerated on the sexual assault charge, I visited with him often at Rikers Island, at least once, sometimes two or three times a week. I went to court with him on the day he was sentenced and would have spoken on his behalf if I were asked to do so. During those visits, while I was in the private, steeled enclosed room, we talked of many things and made many plans. At first he would complain that he was being mistreated. I carried his complaints to the higher authority. Things became better. We talked about religion. I would remind him of his membership and his revolutionary aspiration and would challenge him to live up to the ideals of those ideologies. I would speak to him of others who used the jail time to produce great goods. There were times when he seemed depressed, angry with the system. He maintained his innocence, but accepted the fact that he was guilty of other things - so maybe he was paying for those things. Tupac said he would be and do better. He admitted that his head had not been clear for many years. He was thinking more clearly now, he said. We talked of plans to help our people, especially our youth. I tried to get a commitment from him to help our prison program. He talked of his plans to have a retreat center in Atlanta where youth would be brought from inner cities and while there they would learn a trade, enhance their school work and would be exposed to celebrities who come and share their experiences with them.. We talked of his proposed marriage to Jada. He wanted me to do the ceremony. The wedding would be in Atlanta. He had it all planned. We talked about his plays, movies, songs he was writing. Tupac told me of one play in particular. A young man was running away from hit men and ran into this house, where he hid out, and on and on it went. When he was through, I said to him, "Why not have the young man go into a church, and have a minister to help him?" He paused, he thought - he looked at me and said, "that's a good idea, you see I have to write what I know about, what I have lived, I don't know anything about the church or religion.” To return to religion for a moment, he was confused and troubled by religion. He told me the Muslims were trying to convert him, but he was not moved by their efforts. Tupac couldn't accept Christianity or the Bible, for that was too closely associated with the White man. I remember one visit in particular, he was extremely agitated. He had been humiliated by certain acts of the prison guards. As was my custom, whatever else we discussed, I would bring the conversation back to ideals and challenges of God, religion and the Bible. On one occasion he said to me, "Reverend, I don't want to hurt your feelings and I don't mean any disrespect, but it's hard for me to believe in the same book as the white man. This system which beats you, me and my people, which does all kinds of evil things all over the world and claims the Bible as its book, how can I believe in the same book?" My response was, "Listen, I know how you feel. I went through the same thing. I have felt the same way. Maybe that’s why I stayed away from the church for many years. In fact, all of my youth, although I came from four generations of Black preachers. But when I found the Lord, or when God found me — after I hit the bottom, that’s when my life changed. I began to study the history of our people and the history of religion. I discovered that the Bible teaches that blackness is the origin of civilization — that the so-called major western religions including Judaism, Islam and Christianity have black roots and that Christianity was shaped and influenced by African people.” To be continued..

Monday, April 3, 2023 HOLY WEEK! Starting today we posted 365 Daily Prayers. Join us for the daily prayer in the morning for the Lifeline Prayer Fellowship. 716-427-1168 604309# Tuesday, April 4, 2023 I posted to Facebook: This has been a morning of highs and lows; of sunshine and storms. But through it all, the Spirit of the LORD has kept me serene and steady, hence I have learned how to deal with the ups and downs of life. Today, 55 years ago Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. It is always a time of sorrow and joy. Sorrow for his death because of his death and the deep sorrow and anger that engulfed the Nation and the aftermath of death and destruction that followed. I already mentioned my gladness having some my Facebook followers participate in our Prayer, Scripture, Testimonies, etc. While in conversation with one of my members, she received word that a close family member had died. In the midst of the conversation, I had to pause and go down another road. We prayed,quoted Scripture and offered words of consolation. I waken this morning with words and pictures of the destruction and death caused by tornadoes, hurricanes,rain storms, floods and landslides. I spoke to a member who lives in California. She said she has never seen anything like it. For days they stay shut up in their home, seeing and hearing sounds of wind, rain, crashing and smashing, feeling the house sharing. And there are two historic developments that will take place later today: The indictment of the first President of America, Donald Trump. And than, there is Finland joining NATO. This enrages Russia. Finland stretches over eight thousand miles along Russia border and has awesome military power. It is the 31 Nation to join NATO which was begun in 1949 with an agreement an attack on one is an attack on all. The war rages on in Ukraine as Russia accelerate it’s attack. And there is no peace talks on the horizon. As never before, there is the “ fierce urgency “of Now to; Pray, work and advocate to SAVE THE PLANET! SAVE THE PEOPLE! Wednesday, April 5, 2023 Traveling and Thinking out loud & Photo Bio planning for the following week. We later had our Timbuktu Learning Center where Sister Leslie taught on the causes and cures of digestive system. I awaken this morning with suicidal man on the roof of a four story house threatening to jump. Standing on the sidewalk, across the street, I could see, tied around his nude torso were ropes or pieces cloths. Occasionally, he would come to the edge of the roof, stre Thursday, April 6, 2023 I posted to Facebook: Earlier, I was on Fulton St. a man was threatening to jump and the police, ambulance, fire department were on the street and people were crowded around looking up. He was standing on the roof; his back is towards the street. The police are on the roof trying to talk to him. He was sitting on the window part of the roof that goes out. Everyone was looking, praying, and began standing up, waving his hands and the police were coming closer and closer to him. I guess they were trying to talk to him, but the closer they get the closer he got to the edge. It was a narrow house 3 windows and they got him. The police got him off and probably took him down for examining. One of the officers was wanting me to move. I was taking pictures and trying to get his attention as a clergy member. Thank God. I later had an interview for the documentary on the International Arts Festival (1971). It gre to massive proportions and the Independent schools were started in 1971. Friday, April 7, 2023 Good Friday I had an interview with Arnold for Business Week Magazine re: Mayor Eric Adams I also had a meeting with Stella in regards to the Old Bridge Street Church. I awakened this morning with suicidal man on the roof of a four story house threatening to jump. Standing on the sidewalk, across the street, I could see, tied around his nude torso were ropes or pieces cloths. Occasionally, he would come to the edge of the roof, stretch out his arms and start screaming. They were the sounds of man in deep pain. After about forty five minutes three police officers managed to rescue him. He was brought down from the roof and put in the ambulance. Alas, poor man, long I pondered, what drove him to the roof? What is our breaking point. Perhaps, all of us have felt or contemplated the only solution was suicide. Perhaps all of us can identify with Shakespeare’s Hamlet as he about suicide, “To be or not to be,that is the question. Whether it is nobler in the mind to suffer the sling and arrows of outrageous fortune or to take up arms against a sea of trouble, and by opposing to end them. To die, to sleep, no more. And by a sleep, to say, we end all the heart, and the thousand natural shocks that the flesh is heir to; ‘tis a consummation devoutly to wished.” He continues, but the fear of death, makes cowards of us all. But this day, Good Friday, teaches us that though we might,”bear the whips and scorns of time “ or the crucifixion of Friday but Sunday morning is coming and will bring the glad tidings Resurrection- Victory over death and all the trials and tribulations and the fiery darts of the wicked. All of the demonic forces sent from hell could not conquer Jesus. And what Jesus has taught us, and showed us, and promised us is as He has endured it all, even death, and was triumphant so, we too can do the same for He will be with us and will empower us. So whoever you are out there, what ever you are suffering this Friday, Hold On For Just A Little While Longer! Sunday Morning Is Coming In A Few Days! Yes, weeping May endure for a night But Joy Will Come In The Morning, Just You Wait And See! Saturday, April 8, 2023 I spoke with Rev. Al Sharpton and did not attend National Action Network rally or the Brooklyn for Peace march in Brooklyn.

Friday, February 17, 2023 We had our Morning Lifeline Prayer and Affirmations at 7-8am. I later attended the funeral of Abraham "Abe" Snyder. Below what I later posted via Facebook: Abraham “Abe” Snyder joined the Ancestors Sunrise: December 15, 1936 Sunset: February 3, 2023 As it is recorded, Abraham (Abe nickname) was born December 15, 1936. He made his transition February 3, 2023. I attended the wake on Friday 2/17 from 9am-10am and the funeral of Abe. He and I were great friends. I will miss him very much. In my remarks, I referenced how we met, when we met. But first I quoted four lines from the poem, Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard by Thomas Gray, “What are the worst of woes that wait on age? What stamps the wrinkle deepest in the brow, To view loved ones blotted from life’s page And to be alone as I am now.” I was introduced to Abe by Cenie Williams. Cenie was President of the National Black Social Workers. Abe Snyder was a founding member, I immediately was attracted to him; he had a winsome personality. He exuded a lot of energy and was very humorous. Through all of our struggles he always maintained a sense of humor. When Ed Koch became Mayor, he immediately appointed Blanche Bernstein as Director of Social Services. The Black Social workers disliked her very much, so Abe asked me and the Black United Front to join him and the Black social workers in calling for her resignation. We were successful. He, along with Cenie Williams were also in the battle to keep Sydenham Hospital in Harlem open. Mayor Koch was closing municipal hospitals. We vowed to keep Sydenham open. The need for medical services was overwhelming. So we took over the hospital. Four of us went inside and stayed for a couple of weeks, I think and there was tremendous support on the outside. The four persons were Cenie Williams, which meant Abe Snyder played a major role, Reverend Timothy Mitchell of Ebenezer Baptist Church and Diane Lacey, who is now Pastor of Gethsemane Presbyterian in Brooklyn. She was at the funeral also. We were eventually removed from the hospital with a promise of a meeting with Hugh Carey, New York Governor at the time. We were promised sufficient medical service would be provided for the community. We organized one of the largest marches and rallies in New York’s history. We, BUF leadership, met with Abe, Cenie, Rev. Calvin Butts met. We discussed having a march across the Brooklyn Bridge. The Brooklyn contingent would meet on the Brooklyn side. The Manhattan contingent would meet us on the other side of the bridge. Together we would form a massive gathering and encircle City Hall, then march up to the door where I, Abe, Cenie, Rev. Butts, (I think Ossie Davis who had joined the march) would place 10 demands. Christian religious leaders would immediately recognize the act. Martin Luther, a Roman Catholic Priest, around 1517 nailed a 95-page thesis on the door of Wittenberg Castle church which set the stage for a break with the Roman Catholic Church by some clergy and so commenced the Protestant movement. Abe was a brilliant strategist. He had a keen sense of timing. He never sought the spotlight. He reminded me of Jitu Weusi in Brooklyn. They were great organizers, creative thinkers, institution builders and they were profoundly race conscious. It was around 1968 when Abe put forth the idea of having an African-American Day Parade (AADP). He pointed out that practically every ethnic group in New York had a special day that they highlighted in a parade. Someone suggested that it be Downtown Manhattan. But Abe insisted that it be brought to Harlem. He wanted to put on display our creative genius and the beauty of our people. He wanted to do this for the people in Harlem. So, it was an act of uniting people of African Ancestry across the country and indeed including the African continent. Brother Abe loved the community and he loved his African heritage and was always proud to demonstrate it. I was always excited and proud when the third Sunday in September rolled around. That was the day chosen for the African-American Day Parade. I had made a tradition of gathering primarily Black men to march in the parade. I was always met personally by Abe, who as Chairman was scurrying around doing a thousand things. When we arrived, he sought us out with a great big smile, tight embrace, exhilarating joy and vibrant excitement. Then, I was given the sash and led to the front of the line as an honored guest. I will miss him very much. I will miss the humor, the genius, the love, the good times even in our struggle for freedom. He will never be forgotten. After my remarks, I returned to my seat between Congressman Charlie Rangel, the lion of Harlem. I said of him, “he is the personification of what a Congressperson should be.” The thought came to me as I sat down and I whispered it to Yusuf Hasan who is now Chairman of AADP, “Why don’t we make 110th St & Frederick Douglass Blvd the place where the parade starts – Abe Snyder’s Blvd or Way, at least until the street where the parade ends?” Yusuf nodded in agreement. We will see if we can get it done. In any event, Abe Snyder has put his footprint on the sands of time. And whatever the future holds, he will be remembered forever. So long old friend, “and may bands of angels sing you to your rest”. Congressman Charlie Rangel and myself attending Abe Snyder's funeral.

Sunday, February 12, 2023 7:30-8:30am basketball in the gym, now that the weather has changed. After basketball, the Men’s Prayer 8:45-9:15am (telephone conference call), in that prayer we had a new member. Inspired by Hamlin, I preached the sermon topic, "God of another plan." Monday, February 13th, 2023 Post eye doctor, I missed morning prayer today. I had a discussion with a member of the family when you use your access to power. The member returned to eye doctor and everything is fine. I responded to Mawusi’s Ture comment on my post from 2/10: The tale of three Countries Early this morning 2/10/23, I studied the televisions continuous showing the deep, extensive damage done to Turkey, Syria and Ukraine, by the force of nature and the destruction by humans and the incalculable deaths and disruption of human lives. Obviously, I prayed, but I felt a deep sadness and anger. Sadness for the people and anger at the Leaders wagering war in Ukraine. It is as if, the leaders in Ukraine are competing with the force of nature, who can kill and destroy the more. And there is no movement toward negotiations or talks. But from safe, secure, comfortable, even in some instances, luxurious distance places, the leaders boast about fighting to the end. The end for whom and for what, Peoples of the world? This is our world! Let us demand: CEASEFIRE NEGOTIATIONS (an agreement mutually beneficial) PEACE PRIORITIZE HUMAN NEED Let us Save the Planet, Save People! _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Mawusi Ture: thank you for the invite to host an Anti War rally at our Church, also for the information.I think I have a different position from what I think I have heard and read.It seems most people are in the “blame game “ or choosing sides as to who is the aggressor. I don’t know enough about the history to make a decision or choose sides. My position is: Cease Fire, Negotiate, Peace (a solution mutually beneficial) Prioritize human need. I will even accept, keep fighting while negotiating.To keep fighting until sides win. Mawusi Ture: Herbert Daughtry Sr. the longer the u.s. keeps giving weapons and other military assistance to Ukraine, the long the fighting will continue. Zelensky didn't even come to power fairly; he came to power visa vis a u.s. backed coup back in 2014 when t… See more Herbert Daughtry Sr.: Which is where we are, both sides said they will not lose. There is even talk of Nuclear Weapons employment. On your path we insist following will lead to continuing death and destruction and eventually annihilation. Mawusi Ture: Herbert Daughtry Sr. Then you also remember my Baba, Baba David Brothers who was also in the All African People's Revolutionary Party. He was staunchly anti imperialist and he would most def agree Ukraine is nothing but a proxy for NATO and u.s. imperialism . . . Tuesday, February 14th We had our morning prayer, weekly affirmation and Scripture readings. Wednesday, February 15, 2023 Morning prayer, weekly affirmation and Scripture. My typist, Sharman and I worked on my sermon The Demonic in Systems and Institutions. My other typist Melanie and I worked on daily prayers. Our Wednesday Night Timbuktu Topic were about Bones. Thursday, February 16, 2023 Morning prayer, weekly affirmation and Scripture. I had an interview at the House of the Lord with an interviewer on Mayor Eric Adams.

Celebrating 50 years of Hip Hop - from hell or heaven? This year we celebrate 50 years of hip-hop. The controversy still rages on, was it from hell or heaven? Was it good or was it bad? Like most subjects and issues in life the answer probably lies in both hell and heaven. Some good, some bad. God initiates the positive but we interject the negative. The truth is hip-hop has been around for more than 50 years, as we shall see as we proceed. The rhythm, sound, poetry, movement, vibrations and creativity was in Africa long before we ever arrived on the shores of the Americas; before the slave ships ever came to Africa. (I just attended a conference, one of the awardees was Doctor David Daniels. He is a widely recognized author particularly in the church world. He pointed out in his presentation that Europeans did not bring Christianity to Africa, but Christianity was in Africa before Europeans. arrived the enslaved Africans brought Christianity with them on the slave ships and thus to America). They brought many other positive, creative endeavors including the origin of hip hop. What I'd like to do is finish the article I was writing entitled the challenges of Tupac’s memory, November 9, 1976 and then I want to share with you a chapter from my book” A Seed planted in stone, the life and times of Tupac Shakur”. I wrote this when I learned that Tupac was dead. Tupac and his mother, his aunt Gloria, his sister Sekyiwa all joined our church, the House of the Lord church, when he was about 11 or 12 years old. In addition, this Cosmo Rhythmic Essence (CRE) enables us to fight back to make revolution. When Tupac joined our church, I asked him what he wanted to be. He said, “I want to be a revolutionary”. When he said “me against the world” he was partly wrong because it's “ us against the world,” against the demonic decadence of this society. But the CRE which inspired the fight back rap of Tupac was the same CRE that inspired his ancestors and all the strugglers. Listen!! My Lord, what a morning when the stars began to fall. Satan, your Kingdom must come down. Those were songs of slave days, sharecropping, segregation, times when the Racist were more open, more blatant and more vicious, and it was necessary to sing in codes about our hopes and plans for freedom as they had to be kept in super secrecy. In more recent times we sang, We shall overcome and Piggy Piggy, Piggy, you can go, which was sung by the Black Panther Party. Who can deny that to a perilous degree, this is a sex obsessed, drug intoxicated, and I'm not just referring to crack and heroin but to the pills we need to get us up and keep us going and put us to sleep at night. This is a violent-crazed, pleasure driven, bigoted, materialistic society! We didn't make it that way. Tupac didn't make it that way. The Rappers didn't make it that way. The youth didn't make it that way. Unfortunately and tragically, we mirror what we hear, see and have been taught by the larger society. Now we understand better why Tupac had written across his torso, Thug Life which means: The, Hate, YoU, Give - Little, Infants, F**k, Everybody. Yes, Tupac, our son, it is not you alone against the world but it is your mother and your father. It is your forefathers, it's me, it's all of us against the evils of society. Us against the world! Finally, in the name of God, our mothers and fathers and all of our people, past, present, and in the name of Tupac, let us be against the world and stop being against ourselves. Let us lay our sword and shield down by the Riverside and study war no more. Let us put away our Tech Nines and our Oozies and make peace once and for all. Marvin Gaye asked, “What’s going on? If we must be competitive, let's go back to the old ways. Let's see who is the baddest rapper. Who's got the beat? Who's got poetry? Who's got the rhythm? If we rose to that challenge, we would push each other to new heights of creativity and all of us would be the winners across the length and breadth of this land. Our hearts are broken, eyes are weeping and we ask what can we give and do? How shall we remember Tupac? The greatest gift we can give Tupac Shakur is to give ourselves to God and to each other. All of us individually and collectively commit to being and doing all that we can be and do.