Seize The Future (cont.) Part Sixty- Nine An Address By Rev. Herbert Daughtry At a membership meeting of The Black United Front on February 6, 1979 We need to develop a plan of action that would gain control of these unions. We have already considered the Black presence in the school systems across America. If we could lay hold upon these institutions, many of which have tremendous resources, we would be a step closer toward the realization of our ultimate goal. A word of caution then. Let us refrain from condemning people who are employed in various establishment programs etc. Because they may be on our side. We have come to see the wisdom of not asking all our supporters to reveal themselves. VI. Marches and Rallies Let us not underestimate masses in the streets. The day of marches is not over. It did not die with the Civil Rights Movement for it was not born in southern cities in the sixties. Before Dr. King there was Ghandi and before Ghandi there were others. As I have already stated, we need to look no further than Iran today where millions of people marching in the streets drove a mighty monarch from the throne. VII. Civil Disobedience We must always hold this tactic in the realm of possibility. With our numbers we can prevent government from functioning, businesses from operating and literally bottle up the city. VIII. International Linkage It is imperative that we fortify or strengthen the international links that we have already begun. There are no local solutions anymore. If ever the poet’s words were accurate, they are today, “No man is an island, sufficient unto himself, but every man is a part of the continent.” Decisions made in the capitals of the world will have impact on all the cities of the world. Because millions of people marched in the streets of Iran, a government toppled, oil ceased to flow thousands of miles away and we are told that our cars may soon cease moving. Gas will be rationed. The battle of Crown Heights – the Hasidim Jews cannot be isolated but must be seen in an international context. We must go back to the United Nations again and again. We must influence the African leadership. We must be at the Conference of the Organization of African Unity. It is imperative that we fortify or strengthen the international links that we have already begun. There are no local solutions anymore. If ever the poet’s words were accurate, they are today, “No man is an island, sufficient unto himself, but every man is a part of the continent.” Decisions made in the capitals of the world will have impact on all the cities of the world. Because millions of people marched in the streets of Iran, a government toppled, oil ceased to flow thousands of miles away and we are told that our cars may soon cease moving. Gas will be rationed. The battle of Crown Heights – the Hasidim Jews cannot be isolated but must be seen in an international context. We must go back to the United Nations again and again. We must influence the African leadership. We must be at the Conference of the Organization of African Unity. We must work, converse, persuade, politicize, rally and march until our cause becomes the cause of all third world people, indeed the cause of all people of goodwill. As Malcolm stated, it is a human rights struggle and that is the struggle in which all righteous people should be counted. Here again the importance of politics comes to play. If we developed political power commensurate with our numbers, we could make a considerable contribution to the struggles of third world people. Her Excellency Ambassador Koni, of Zambia, in a speech at the House of the Lord Church urged people of African descent to develop their political strength which they could then use to influence assistance for the liberation struggles in Africa as well as support for African governments. Consider the Zionists, who, though much smaller than other ethnic groups have been able to extract from the U.S.A. government a black check. These are some of the tactics that we can employ to achieve immediate and limited objectives and tactics which if done well would move us close to, if not completely to our ultimate goal. The Question of Violence I did not include violence in my outline, not because I believe violence is morally wrong or not at some point viable, but a serious discussion of violence is a private matter. We must view with suspicion or alarm, those who make a practice of publicly discussing violence, or revolutionary overthrow of government. A revolutionary vanguard is not organized with public debate. It is a quiet, underground, well-guarded secret process. Those who are in it know it and those who are not in it, do not know it. We adopt Malcolm X’s stance when he was asked a question regarding his position on politics. He said, “I believe in action, period. Whatever kind of action is necessary. When you hear me say “by any means necessary,” I mean exactly that. I believe in anything that is necessary to correct unjust conditions – political, economic, social, physical, anything that’s necessary. I believe in it – as long as its intelligently directed and designed to get results.” But to prepare ourselves for all eventualities, we have organized the Black Community Patrol and recruitment is underway to expand its ranks. We must always be educating our people, heightening consciousness. Every act must be seen as an opportunity to educate: To educate regarding history – our ancient greatness and our fall into centuries of wretchedness; To educate regarding the contemporary scene, analysis of our present predicament and a study of strategies for change; To educate regarding the future and our potential to build a better society. No matter what else we do, if the end result does not produce strong Black men and women, we have failed. But on the other hand, if we can resurrect our people in the vision of Marcus Garvey who said, “I trust there will be a spiritual and material resurrection among Negroes everywhere; that you will lift yourselves from the doubts of the past; that you will lift yourselves from the slumbers of the past; that you will lift yourselves from the lethargy of the past, and strike out in his new life – in this resurrected life to see things as they are.” If we can do that, even if we do not change the society consistent with our vision, we will still have succeeded, for our efforts would have meant that we would have reshaped the minds of our people; and once a people, however long their oppression, begins to redefine themselves according to their God-given worth or in highest human terms, it is not long before they will rise and do whatever is necessary to build a world in which their new or resurrected selves can live. To be continued…

Seize The Future Part Sixty- Seven Dear reader, Because there was widespread interest in our last article Two Motions Anti-violence and Anti-war Mass Movements. I’ve decided to publish another one of my old speeches, Seize the Future. It is a booklet that I produced that contains two speeches, Seize the Future and Struggling Against Madness. I hope that the interest and the love of history will encourage you to keep reading. SEIZE the FUTURE An Address By Rev. Herbert Daughtry At a membership meeting of The Black United Front on February 6, 1979 “The immensity of our task, and the desperation of our situation, make it imperative for all Black men (and women) to assume responsibility for all Black people, for thirty million Black people, in everything they say and do. For if Blackness is worth talking about, if it is worth meeting about and shouting about, it is worth living. And the challenge we face now in the spirit of the united Black community to come.”* *Lerone Bennett Jr, The Challenge of Blackness Johnson Publishing Co., 1972 p.56 A superficial reading of this topic, Seize the Future, would suggest a contradiction. To seize means to grasp firmly. The future points to a distance in time. How, then, can one firmly grasp what is, in fact, not present and yet like most things in life, the deeper we go the more we see the unity of all things. Peering, then, into the core of our subject, we discern that the future is the present and the present is the future. The harvest of tomorrow is in the seeds of today. What we do here now creates the future. The thoughts we conceive will come back in our homes, our communities and even in the shape of ourselves. To seize the future is to think positively, creatively and act victoriously in the present and if the universal principle holds true, the future will be ours. On the other side, however, if we think failure, defeat and act cowardly, the future will be lost to us and to our children. It is an awesome responsibility we bear. We have been called to this hour - some of us willingly and some of us against our wills - to challenge and defeat forces which my theological background constrains me to define as demonic. We have been called to act nobly and sacrificially in the face of overwhelming obstacles. We have been called to build a movement that will marshall the energies and the talents of our people. We have been called to build a new society. To repeat, the task is awesome. Already, we have done some things for which we can feel proud. Some of the accomplishments of the Black United Front are listed on the Flyer distributed at the U.N. Rally on December 11, 1978. We are an unusual gathering. Our ranks include socialists, atheists, religionists, professionals and nonprofessionals, bourgeois and proletarians. Looking at ourselves as we are, our call becomes all the more burdensome because we are no match for this enemy. But deeper than what we can see, more profound that what we can analyze is a dimension, an indefinable, intangible dimension. It is a dimension which all of us sense and feel in our best moments - a dimension which grows out of the Black soul - spiritual dimension which cannot be destroyed or defeated. Since, then, what we do and think today will create our future, we are driven to ask, “What ought we to be about - as the Black United Front?” To ask that question is to raise another question. “What is the goal of the Black United Front?” Again, this line of questioning reveals the unity of life. While it is true that what we think and do today will create the future, it is equally true that what we believe about the future, our visions, will influence how we think and act today. Our ultimate goal is to radically rearrange the present institutions of the American society and more specifically, to control the machinery of government and to make the resources of God’s earth available to all people equitably. And it is God’s earth for as the Bible states, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and they that dwell therein.” (2) Even if we dismiss the theological, the cosmology brings us to the same conclusion because when our first parents arrived, the land was here and when our last parents depart, the land will still be here. Whether we believe that an intelligent being put it here or whether we believe that it was always here means the same thing - nobody owns anything. All of us are tenants. Some of us are stewards. All of us have a divine right or human right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and to actualize that idealism, it is imperative to share equally in the resources of the land and to participate in all of the decision making processes. Thus, human governments are instituted but that the present American government does not deal fairly in spite of its rhetoric is painfully obvious. We see the deplorable conditions wherever we look whether to the local community where Black men are out of work to the tune of 40% , teenagers 70-80%; miseducation is the norm and police brutality and killings continue unabated - to the national scene where reactionary ferment proliferates, the Bakke decision, Property Tax Referendum or Proposition 13 so that the meager gains of yesterday are stamped out by the heavy hell of facism or whether we look to the international scene where the American government allows itself to be the tool of monopoly capitalism. Henry Steele Commanger, testifying before the Senate Foreighn Relations Committee said some years ago in an eloquent indictment of the American government, “ We think we are better than other nations and doubtless in some respects we are… Yet even in domestic affairs we have not been beyond criticism; when we speak, as we often do, of communist slavery we might remember that we retained legal slavery after other civilized nations had abandoned it.. We are distinctly parochial in our attitude toward expansionism, aggression, and imperialism… In the eyes of the 19th century world, the U.S. was preeminently an expansionist and aggressive nation,.. trebling our territory at the expense of France, Spain, Mexico and Britain. Our President, through the Monroe and Polk Doctrines, proclaimed American hegemony in the Western hemisphere. If China today should put on a show of this kind we might truly be alarmed…we claimed a vital interest in Cuba or a Chinese claim to vital interest in South Vietnam. We assert a sphere of influence in Southeast Asia. We feel justified in intervening in the domestic affairs of Guatemala and the Dominican Republic but would be surprised if Cuba intervened in Florida or Mexico or Texas. Our President called it a “dark day” when China exploded a nuclear bomb. We forgot that so far we are the only nation to use the atomic bomb in anger, though it might not be supposed that the Japanese have forgotten or tha the Chinese will forget our 17 years of implacable hostility or the Vietnamese, our bombing. We have allowed ourselves to drift into the position of champion of the status quo.. most of the world looks upon us today as the leading opponent of revolutionary change… The revolt of Asia and Africa against the West and the emergence into modernity of two-thirds of the world’s peoples is probably the greatest revolution since the discovery of America.” (3) Thus, the American government has not promoted the interests of the masses of people either here or abroad. The ultimate goal of the B.U.F. is to somehow, someway gain control of the government for the good of the people. It is a towering task and we must ask the question, “How can such a small number of men and women accomplish such an impossible goal? How do you gain control of the government in the first place? You can buy it. You can steal it or you can take it. For us, we cannot buy it. We will not steal it. The only other option left then, is to take it. But what does that mean? Does it mean classic revolution? Shall we build an army without and infiltrate within?

Seize The Future (cont.) An Address by Rev. Herbert Daughtry At a membership meeting of The Black United Front on February 6, 1979 How will we employ those tactics – whether we are successful or not – will depend on how each one of us fulfills a given assignment. I would like to take some liberties with the poem: If it falls your lot to write letters, then write letters with all the literary genius of Lorraine Hansberry, James Baldwin and Richard Wright; If it falls your lot to be a typist, then type with all the finger dexterity of Earl Garner, Bud Powell, Charlie Parker and John Coltrane; If it falls your lot to hand out fliers, do it with the intensity and coordination of Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson, Willie Mays, Karim Abdul Jabar, Earl Campbell and Max Roach; If it falls your lot to make a musical contribution, if it is simply to sing a song, sing with the musical genius of Mahalia Jackson, Sam Cooke and Ray Charles; If it falls your lot to teach, perform that task with all of the dedication insight and skill of Jitu Weusi, John Hendrik Clark, and Benjamin Mays; If it falls your lot to register people, go about the task with the dedication of Denmark Vesey, Adam Clayton Powell and Arthur Eve; If it falls your lot to organize, do it with the patience and skill of Martin Luther King, Jr., Marcus Garvey and Malcolm X; If it falls your lot to simply be present at a meeting, rally or a demonstration then be there with all of the majestic bearing of Shaka and Mansa Musa upon their thrones; If it falls your lot to make the supreme sacrifice, if you must die, then die nobly as Nat Turner and Jesus Christ. They died serene in the knowledge that they died in the cause of justice. After all, it is not how long we live, but how well we live that matters. What greater comfort can we have than to know that we leave a legacy for our children about which they can be proud and from which they can derive inspiration to carry on the struggle. Need I warn you that the struggle is long and there will be no easy victories. The enemy is formidable and history teaches that tyrants do not yield an inch without a struggle. They will not relinquish their privileged positions by words alone or by moral importunities or by the pleasing qualities of the oppressed but they must be pushed, shoved, knocked and even then, they go forth scuffling, scratching, and clawing until the last. Need I warn you this is dangerous business. It is a perilous journey we have embarked upon. The path is fraught with disappointments, betrayals, and bewilderment and scattered about are the bones of yesterday’s freedom fighters Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X and Patrice Lumumba. Need I warn you that the enemy we fight controls the army, the navy, the air force, the police and the national guard. The media, along with all the other institutions, are his. Need I warn you that your blood, as well as the blood of your fathers and mothers means nothing to him. But before we despair, let me give you a word of hope. We have chosen the side of justice and on our side is a revolutionary movement which is shaking the world – a revolutionary movement that is shaking the foundation of old systems; a movement that is breaking the chains of imperialism, fascism and neo-colonialism; a movement that is destroying capitalism and racism; a movement that is writing the obituary of oppressive regimes in Latin America and digging the graves of exploitive systems in Africa. Take heart! God, the Almighty is on our side. Greater than the armies of the enemy; greater than the genius of men and women, is the creator of all things. Though we cannot see him, He is there. Though we cannot hear him, He speaks. He has a covenant to keep. The credibility of the universe is at stake. If good and right are not the victors, then truth is a lie and evil is good and ugly is beautiful and light is darkness and up is down and hot is cold and knowledge is ignorance and we know not what we do. We fight for we know not what. For the good we think we do is evil and the evil we shun is the good we think we have. But right is right and truth is truth and our struggle is just and justice will win. Though at times it does seem that truth is on the scaffold and wrong is on the throne, yet as the poet put it, beyond the dim unknown stands God keeping watch above his own. So, with these tactics, this faith, this future look - we must live now as though we had already achieved. We must act now as though the battle was already won. We must respect each other and support each other and defend each other. Our stand must be the stand of the winner. We must walk with the majestic steps of the victor. We must struggle not with heavy hearts and sad faces, tearful eyes and whinning lips. Nay, but however difficult the days, we must struggle with the glad assurance that freedom is ours. Let us then seize the future and live triumphantly in the present. End of speech.

DEC 13, 2022- 12 Noon at Police Headquarters 1 Police Plaza, I attended a very important luncheon, which has far reached implications for the future of the city in general, police and community relations in particular. It was sponsored by the Uniting Clergy Community and Police Coalition. Some of the clergy leaders of the group are Bishops : Albert Jamison, Gerald Seabrooks, Eric Figueroa, Mitchell Taylor. Also, Chief Organizer Bishop Ismael Claudio. Bishop Claudio presided over the meeting. Also present was Edward Caban, First Deputy Commissioner, and Police Administrator Juanita Holmes, Chief of the Training Bureau. Top officials in the administration Ingrid Lewis-Martin, Chief Advisor to the Mayor, and Reverend Gilford Monrose Faith Advisor/Executive Director, Office of Faith-Based and Community Partnerships were also present. Among the police chiefs were also chaplains. A special police presence was Officer Barbara Williams. She has been on the force many many years. I’ve been knowing her, for all those years and more. I have a special connection with her. She is the niece of the Reverend John Lawrence, a revered evangelist years ago. He played an integral part in my life. My mother sent him to me, when I was a youth in trouble with the law. He stayed with me and was my mentor. She even allowed me to travel with him, we remained together till the end of his life. Each one of the clergies, including the chaplains made short speeches. The police chief and administration official's presentations we’re longer. I was allowed as much time as I desired. In my remarks, I said, “I have been in this place, 1 Police Plaza, many times. Most of the time, it was of a critical nature. I was either going to jail, or being locked up, or leading a delegation critical of police behavior.” I said that “I knew all of the police chiefs from Robert Maguire, Ben Ward, Lee Brown, Ray Kelly, etc. Ray Kelly, I liked very much.” He spent about 45 minutes with me when I was in the hospital. You don’t forget those acts of kindness and compassion. Practically all of the police commissioners try to do the right thing, but encountered a stiff inflexible structure. This and other reasons why we call the police force systemic racism. I emphasized, that this was a special moment. For if police and clergy can work together, they would have a positive influence on their relationship with the city. Then if they can get the other two P’s organized and working together in cooperation with them, it would make for a model relationship and a model city. The other two Ps are politicians and the power of the city i.e., the mayor of the city. So, if we have preachers, police, politicians, and the mayor on the same page what a powerful effect he would have and the city and beyond. I'll conclude, by saying, this is a great moment. We owe it to each other, to our communities, to the city and to the world beyond not to blow it, but to seize this moment, it may never come again. Accompanying me to the meeting was Bishop Freddie Arnold. I just participated in the memorial service for his son Julian Arnold. Julian was killed November 7th, in an unintended crossfire. The killer(s) were in a car, and the intended victim ran into the backyard of the home of Julian ‘s parents. They kept shooting and hit Julian. I suggested to the parents, in my presentation at the ceremony three things: 1. We must continue to pursue justice. 2. We must think through and research programs that can reach out to young people and put them on the right track. (As I did with the mayor of the city Eric Adams when he was a youth.) 3. We ought to do some things that will perpetuate the memory of Julian. We must not allow his memory to be buried with him in the grave. I cited an African proverb, that my wife loves to quote. “As long as a person’s name is spoken in the village, they never die.” I suggested that we can do two things: 1. We can have a street naming. we can name the street Julian Arnold Blvd. and therefore, anyone traversing anywhere on the street, would have to remember that there was once a young lad 19 years old with the promise of young productive long life, that was killed on this block. 2. The second thing that we can do is to organize a scholarship program. With our scholarship program we would give scholarships to the college-bound students, the criteria for receiving the scholarship would require an essay on the life and times of Julian Arnold. After the luncheon was over, Bishop Arnold and I spent time discussing how we would move in the future. What we can do together to create understanding, programs, to address our young people in particular. And to make this a better city and indeed make this a better world. As we made ready for the photo op, one of the top officials whispered to me, “I am so grateful we stand on your shoulders.” It was a memorable moment, when a person who has been appointed to a top governmental or corporate position recognizes that it's on the shoulders of others it is for me a memorable moment I’ve heard and seen too often, people in high positions either completely forget how they got there or think they got there solely on their qualifications or something special about them.

It has been reported, on Wednesday December 14th by CNN, that the American government is about to endorse arming Ukraine with the Patriot missile systems. The Patriot missile system is a highly sophisticated protective system and it may be the most effective system in the American arsenal. This is the system that President Zelensky has been begging for since the beginning of the war and some commentators or Ukrainian supporters said that the missiles should’ve been supplied before the war even started. It has been reported that Russia has been targeting Ukraine’s infrastructure for months, including population centers which has produced unbearable hardships on the people, especially as winter increases. According to President Zelensky half of the country's power systems are destroyed or inoperable due to the missile and drone attacks. Keep in mind, President Zelensky handles the truth carelessly. For example, the recent missile debacle that fell on Poland killing two people was first blamed on Russia. Later, it was learned that it was Ukraine's responsibility. Then, President Biden and all the NATO nations including Zelensky came up with a strategy of not blaming Ukraine but blaming Russia. After all, they said that Russia started the war. A rather twisted logic to blame this deadly accident on Russia - when all the world knows it was Ukraine. Nevertheless, NATO and American leaders all agreed that Ukraine needs more sophisticated weapons so that they can continue the offensive or win the war. NATO leadership along with President Biden and especially the overwhelming American media, particularly the cable channels are constantly projecting the idea that the courageous people under the undaunted leadership of President Zelensky are winning the war, and Russia is on the defense. Remember, the city of Kherson, that we were told that Ukrainians had driven the Russians out of the city, thus the celebration for the liberation. The truth, that was so obvious to anyone who wanted the truth, that the Russians were not driven out of the city. The truth of the matter is Russia withdrew from the devastated city and set up camp across the river. As they made ready to leave they launched a missile attack. So, Ukraine is winning? Yet at the same time, they have to report that Ukraine is losing. Even Kherson now is under a barrage of missiles. It was obvious that Russia pulled out of the devastated city of Kherson, knowing that the people would return amid celebrations and at a given time, they would resume the bombardment from across the river. It appears that significant parts of the country are in shambles. The people are freezing to death in great numbers, in addition to experiencing other kinds of unbearable hardships. President Putin decides not to have his annual press conference. The American press read into that act, Putin’s not wanting to tell the Russian people how badly things are going in Ukraine. Another example of the clear propaganda, the American Press and political leaders always depict the war in Ukraine as Putin’s (never President Putin) war. Thus projecting Putin as a monster that not even the Russian people want to support the war. The American Press reported that Putin was bombing helpless residents of this particular city, they said that in the particular city, a maternity hospital was bombed and one infant was killed. If you indeed a maternity hospital is bombed or missiled, how is it that only one infant child killed? Are we to believe this story? Isn’t a hospital a place where people are crowded in, especially during this crisis time? What kind of bombs or missiles are these that pinpoint one infant child! It would be laughable if it were not so deadly serious. Now, here we are with the killing, destruction, disruption increasing, and we are told more sophisticated weapons will be sent to Ukraine. Well, isn't it logical to consider that Russia is going to counter that move. That's the game of war! One side offers and the other side increases its weaponry and the other side counters until there is war on a larger scale. That's why I say one more step toward nuclear war. Isn't it logical and reasonable, all the humane terms I can think of, to say, “Stop the killing! Stop the destruction! And start talking now. That's all, stop killing people, destroying their lives and start talking.” Remember Churchill’s admonition during the Second World War, “Jaw Jaw is better than War War.” To the people of the world and especially in the USA, let's find a way to pressure the leadership to insist that there be talks with the Russians. It is obvious that President Zelensky is under the illusion that Ukraine can win the war. If not by itself, he can get the NATO nations and other nations involved and they would have the greatest nuclear power and wipe Russia off the map. Let's find a way to demand a cessation of war, negotiations and a settlement that would be mutually beneficial. It has been reported that President Biden and other NATO nations want to have talks with President Putin, but it is resisted by President Zelensky. Prayerfully, maybe, hopefully, in some way the recent exchange that brought Britteny Griner home is a step toward talking which could lead to peace. To quote the Prophet Isaiah, “Nations will not lift up swords against nations anymore. And that will be the day that the high places will be made low and the crooked places will be made straight and the rough places made smooth and the glory of the Lord will be seen and all flesh shall see it together.” A world with democratization, prosperity, freedom, justice, and goodwill will rule and on that day we'll all see God together.

I was awakened at 1:30am and stayed up until 5:30am. I became engrossed in the various television programs that significantly covered the world or the most important issues happening in the world. Homelessness- I started watching Liza Lin’s program. She does a special on Sunday nights. Primarily, her focus this morning was California. She pointed out there were 1.5 million homeless people in California or in Los Angeles. I thought of New York and Mayor Eric Adams' attempt to address the homeless problem. But apparently this is a national problem. Each state and city is trying to deal with it on its own or separately. Significantly, it is worth noting that President Kennedy was the first to call attention to the national scope and the seriousness of the problem. 2. Housing- along with the homelessness comes housing. Where are they going to be housed and is there enough service to address their needs? But the housing challenge is not confined to the homeless. We have a housing shortage in America and indeed in the world. 3. Mental and emotional challenges- again there is a thread that connects the homeless, the mental and emotional challenges. America is a sick nation. 4. Hunger or to use a euphemism and call it food insecurity. The human family is suffering in various parts of the world from food insecurity. There is no food, or little food, or non-nutritional foods. Members of the human family are starving to death in the world. In some sense there is connection in these four that I've mentioned: Homelessness, Housing, Mental and Emotional Challenges, and Food Insecurity. 5. Criminality- in most states in America the so-called criminal justice system is overcrowded. whichThe police violence, the injustice in the court approach to the problem and the overcrowded penal system. Again, there is a connection that seems to tie these together. Too many homeless people are mental and emotionally challenged. As a result of their mental and or emotional state crimes are oftentimes manifested in their behavior. There is no housing for them, they sleep or live on the street or anywhere and oftentimes they are engaged in criminal behavior. When they are brought before the criminal justice system, they are treated unfairly.They are treated as though they were normal and therefore sometimes given long sentences in prison. 6. Pestilence/Disease- we have come through a time of covid-19 and now there is the Monkeypox and RSV, flu, polio and who knows what else is out there or coming next. Somewhere I saw or heard we can expect strange diseases because of the climate change. The climate change which brings about the destruction of ecology, the forestation, and animal life in particular. In other words, Mother Nature had created a balance that is no longer in existence and the protection we once had from various diseases are no longer there. It is interesting that there is a new term to describe the disease with which we are confronting. It’s called tripledemic that includes covid, the flu and RSV. Three potentially deadly viruses. Seven thousand deaths were recorded at this point. All but seven states revealed the presence to some degree of tripledemic. There is a crisis in hospital care and hospital space. 7. Immigration – across the world the human family is moving and trying to find a better space. Here in the U.S.A we know the problem all too well. But other countries are experiencing the same thing. And there is oftentimes a racist, exploitation accompanying the problem. For example, in Qatar where the World Cup is being played. The migrant workers from Kenya and other countries are complaining that they’ve been treated unfairly, exploited and abused. It is said that hundreds of these migrant workers have been killed, murdered in one form or another by the corporate owners. 8. Then there is the Climate Challenge, the world is drastically changing. Even the timetable for the change is speeding up. Whole islands have been covered with water. Somewhere I read or heard that Florida in the next 10 or 20 years will be substantially covered in water. The old-World Trade Centers, we remember how high they were. It is said that in the years to come, water will cover Manhattan, NY water would cover those Trade Centers if they were in existence. And again, climate change contributes to the misery of the human family, particularly as it relates to pestilence or disease.. 9. War and Violence – it is a melancholy consideration that in spite of all of the ills I've mentioned, astronomical sums of resources are spent on war, on killing, and destruction. The money and resources spent on war could bring healing and could eliminate some of the world’s ills, medical, food, housing, employment, etc. At this point there seems to be an escalation of the war in Ukraine. Of course, there is conflict in other places. But Ukraine has the attention of the world. i. President Zelensky of Ukraine said that half of the country is now powerless and winter is fast-approaching. It is a terrible time for people in Ukraine. Yet President Zelensky and some of his generals are talking about how they are winning the war. Even to the extent that it should be over by next year, said one gentleman. At the same time there is the beg for more money and sophisticated weapons which means more killing, wounding, and destruction. ii. In one part of the world, children are crying for food and medical attention. In another part of the world, the human family is being blown into oblivion. Their homes and work of their hands are being destroyed and the killing, destruction in Ukraine and other places rages on. iii. In China, the streets are crowded with protestors. Protesting the policy of the Chinese government, which has instituted severe restrictions on the lives of their people. Two persons have been executed publicly; it is believed that others will follow. Now the program has turned to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). There are plans to go back to the moon for normal stays. It’s not out of the question/conversation. It was in 1969 when Apollo landed Neil Armstrong on the moon. Now in 2025-2026 the plan is to land a woman and person of African Ancestry on the moon. The program announcer said, “it is the beginning of a new beginning exploring the heavens.” As I became more alert my mind became flooded with images of homelessness, mental and emotional violence of description, crowded jails, starving humans especially children, war bombs being dropped, destructive missiles flying through the air, the desert like parts of the globe. People are drowning in other parts of the world with furious winds sweeping across water and lands bringing death and destruction. And here was the NASA representative telling the world how wonderful we, the human family is and putting people on the moon and traveling to the farthest regions of Outer space and yet as I was almost asleep, I could hear in my mind what a contradiction, we can put people anywhere we want to except together. We can create whatever we want to except peace, goodwill and love. How long can we exist in the direction that we’re heading? Maybe the release of Brittney Griner is the beginning of peace-talks that might lead to a negotiated settlement. And maybe, hopefully we’ll come to that place which the Scripture speaks, “And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” Amen.

Moving closer toward nuclear war There are recent developments which I believe are moving us closer to nuclear war. There was the decision by Saudi Arabia to withhold two million barrels of fuel/oil from OPEC. This move brings hardship in the USA. Gas prices will go up. This is not good for the democrats as we move closer to midterm elections. In addition, it enhances global inflation. Perhaps the most important point is that it helps Russia. It means that Saudi Arabia is treating Russia as an ally. President Biden recently met with the leaders of Saudi Arabia; thought he had worked out a friendly arrangement that would help with the fuel situation. * Now the recent move by Saudi Arabia in the United States. Congress members of the Senate is calling for punishing Saudi Arabia by withdrawing military support in armament and technology. * Another nation that has angered U.S. leaders is Iran. Iran is sending military trainers to train Russian soldiers in addition to sending missiles and drones. The U.S. leaders were working on reviving the nuclear development that President Obama had put in place and President Trump had ended. * In Ukraine itself, over the last twelve days there have been over two hundred missiles and drone attacks. According to President Zelensky, over thirty percent of the energy power stations have been destroyed. This sets up a terrible situation as winter approaches – not only energy but food, lights will become scarce. * According to Ukraine, the missiles and drone attacks have been on human infrastructures. Russia from all accounts, and sometimes you have to read between the lines, seem to be gaining ground or winning the war. When the situation is reported by Zelensky and Ukrainian leaders, the destruction is massive. And let us not forget that Russia just recently annexed four provinces and with the help of Iran is strengthening its military forces. But after saying all that according to US Press and American advisors to Ukraine, Ukraine is putting up a gallant fight. In fact, one Russian leader says that Russia is defeated or “Russia’s loss is inevitable”. The war will be over by summer. And don't forget President Biden has stated that Ukraine will not lose. What the situation gives President Zelensky is the opportunity or the justification for asking for more money and more sophisticated weaponry. He has stated repeatedly, Russia is bombing/destroying civilian communities. In other words, President Putin is a war criminal and therefore needs to be labeled by the world as a war criminal. More weapons are needed to defeat him, otherwise Ukraine will not satisfy his appetite for more land. Moreover, President Zelensky has said in so many words Russia is bluffing when it threatens to employ nuclear weapons. He is trying to blackmail the world. Of course, most of American press which is simply the mouthpiece of Ukraine leaders, endorsing everything they say. Instead of NATO, U.S. leaders and the press is demanding an end to war, negotiations and peace and a settlement that can be mutually beneficial. They were almost there once as I have written about and we the people of the world need to add to the demand for peace, and that the resources they have been investing in the war effort now be directed to human needs to save the planet and save the people. We have formally outlined what we the people of the world are demanding: 1. Peace in and among nations must be observed an end to hatred, violence, killing, destruction in our nation and war among the nations of the world. 2. Nuclear Disarmament that the nations of the world MUST cease nuclear testing and disarm nuclear weapons. 3. Environmental Justice that the disadvantaged communities will no longer be neglected or exploited or poisoned. Our environment must be clean and healthy. For example, no more Flint, Michigan and fracking. 4. Economic Justice an end to impoverished communities and joblessness. A more equitable distribution of the world’s resources, goods and services. 5. Sustainable Energy that all nations and individuals will cease using destructive fuel and toxic elements. 6. Human Rights that all people will enjoy freedom, justice and equality and observe Thomas Jefferson's quote, behold these truths to be self-evident, all men (women) were created equally endowed by their creator in certain unalienable rights among the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. 7. Human Needs that there be an end to poverty and care for the needy. The incalculable amount of resources invested in militarism should be used for the improvement of life for all the citizens of the world. 8. Human Mobility that the nations will implement a humane policy that would permit travel for pleasure and for residence. Let us mobilize to Save the planet and to Save the people. *On another concern, let us not forget Brittany Griner, yesterday 10/18 was her birthday. Let us keep her in our prayers and keep working to free her. To be continued…

The Anti-violence and Anti-war Mass Movements (cont.) Part Sixty- Six We are continuing the speech which I did in 1981 regarding two motions or movements or two major issues of that time. They were Anti-war and Anti-violence. I was fascinated by the striking similarity of that time and the present. I thought it would be of interest particularly for those persons who are students of history, the Peace and Civil Rights Movements. Date: April 4th, 1981 The Long-Range Objectives The best language I know, to say nothing of the safest language, is Biblical language. The most revolutionary language can be located in the Holy Bible. For example, the Prophet Isaiah, looking across the years said, "Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places smooth: and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." (Isaiah 40:4-5). It is obvious the Prophet is not talking about physical mountains and valleys — who cares if mountains fall, or if valleys raise up. What the Prophet has in mind is an equalization, a leveling out process. The high comes down, and the low rises up. And when that happens, all flesh shall see God. When there is an equalization, when classes and races are eliminated. When human beings respect one another and share all beliefs equitably, they experience the transcendence of God in their midst. Now some would say that's Socialism or Communism. But in following our strategy, let them call it what they will. We are talking about a classless, raceless, society, where everybody owns together, works together, produces together, and shares together. That is our long-range goal. That is what we are struggling for and is necessary for our lives. It should be emphasized that this does not preclude the land question, that is still an open proposition. For those who see land/nation and the ultimate objectives will be aided by the attendance of the long-range state of affairs. International dimension Another reason we must merge Anti-Violence and Anti-War motions is that it strengthens our hands to address the national concerns. As black people, we are primarily concerned about Grenada, South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Mozambique, and the Caribbean. We are also concerned about solidarity with progressive governments and liberation movements worldwide. But primarily, at the top of our agenda are those countries which share our common origin. In this regard we raise questions regarding the U.S. Foreign policy as it relates to El Salvador, the Caribbean, Asia and Africa, we will always be doing what we can, and saying what we can in support of our brothers and sisters. The battle for South Africa is coming into its final round. The Reagan Administration has made it clear it intends to support the present regime. The U.S ambassador to the United Nations has been caught leaving secretly, or be it unlawfully, with South African personnel. She claims she did not know they were high ranking South African officials, which makes her a liar, incompetent, or both. Either one means hard times for our people in South Africa, and everywhere South Africa has influence. In Grenada, there was an attempt on the life of Prime Minister Maurice Bishop. The bombs exploded, killing and injuring others. The Prime Minister pointed out that the sophisticated technology to produce that kind of bomb did not exist in Grenada. The bomb had to come from outside of the country. The antagonism of the United States Government towards Grenada, makes it a prime suspect. The downfall of Michael Manley in Jamaica, and the lavish assistance already offered saiga give further proof that progressive governments in the Caribbean are targeted for destabilization and eventual defeat. It is President Reagan’s intention to revive America's imperialistic arrogance. To resurrect those old motions of manifest destiny, to revive fears of worldwide communist conspiracy. All those who bow before America’s claim will be protected and supported, especially with military hardware. All nations desiring to pursue non-alignment and wishing to choose their friends outside of the American orbit will be perceived as an enemy of America and therefore, must be destroyed. Thus, there is a spiraling military budget while programs for central services are being cut back and terminated. There is a mood in the country, to be supportive of the cowboy in the White House, as he plays Cowboys and Indians. The abnormal and unprecedented reception, giving the American hostages upon their return home, reveal a desperate people who need to feel patriotic. This need drove them to heap heroic adulation upon ordinary employees who happen to be caught in the middle of international politics and economics, who simply succeeded in surviving. This glaring inconsistency was immediately emphasized by Vietnam Veterans, who received no such welcome, and in fact, were threatened with programs and services cutbacks. If a people would go in search of patriotic feelings, we can anticipate that they are going all the way with Ronald Reagan. Unless we can find a way to convince vets that such policies are against their highest ethics, their better selves, and against their own self interests. Granted, it borders on the impossible, but it is not impossible. Mass movements have done greater things in history. There is the recent memory of Vietnam and in everyone’s memory. Surely everybody remembers how the country was torn apart during the Vietnam years -- even the President was forced to resign. Perhaps this is a time of mass movement with the right priorities and direction can force not only the President of the USA to resign, but also Presidents, Chairmen, and Executive Directors of Corporate America to resign. In a word, perhaps this time a mass movement will usher in the revolution that creates a new Social Order. Conclusion If the Anti-Violence and Anti-War Movement can achieve our short range and long-range objectives, then we will have spent our lives well. Even if it means paying the ultimate sacrifice. Our children will rise up and bless our memory. And we shall go to our Lord uttering the words of the Apostle Paul, "we have fought a good fight, we have kept the faith, we have finished our course." If the Anti-War and Anti-Violence Movement does not achieve security and some possessions in the short run and radical change in the long run, we will have failed. All our efforts will come to be an exercise in futility. We will have made a lot of noise, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. And generations to come will not excuse us, but will hold us guilty of wasting our time and energy, and blowing our chance. Michael Manley, Prime Minister of Jamaica said to us recently, “at the beginning of the 70’s, progressive people had a chance, but somehow, we blew it.” Generations yet unborn will surely say of us, at the beginning of the 80's our people had a chance, but they blew it. But we will not blow it this time. We have learned our lessons well. We have been good students, we have seen the enemy, and we know where he lives and how he schemes. WE WILL NOT BLOW IT THIS TIME! - Victory is ours!

Seize the Future (cont.) Part Sixty- Eight What are those things we can think and do to seize the future? What is graspable? Realizable? Accessible? Do-able? What is it that will prepare us or move us into the position to claim the future. Keep in mind that each action, however small, sets the stage for a larger one. Power to the people can never be realized if people do not exercise the power that they have, however small or insignificant. The farthest journey begins with one step. He that is faithful over the little things, Jesus once said, will be faithful over the big ones. What then, are those things we can do? Economic Boycott * We can use the method of economic withdrawal. There are three benefits this tactic gives us. It is an effective method of mobilizing our people. Since it is an action that is available to all, it allows for massive participation. In order for a movement to be viable it must take care of its people. By using the method of economic withdrawal, we can wring from the system some of the crumbs to feed the movement? The economic boycott allows us to enhance Black institutions and business even though we do not always agree fully with their policies and practices. By assisting them, they become grateful to us, expanding our appeal and supporters and further enhancing our credibility with our people at large. Economic withdrawal can be an awesome weapon if D. Parke Gibson is right in his book, $70 Billion in the Black, Black people’s income is equal to the ninth largest nation in the world. Think what it would mean to the American economy if Black people decided not to participate. An ultimatum could be thrust before the governments articulating whatever demands are right and just and stating that unless these are met, non-economic participation will commence immediately. If there is large enough support, the government would have to yield for no government can function without Black participation. Political Action We can engage in political action at a massive level. We can organize a political convention which will determine who represents Black people and hold those representatives accountable. We can construct a Black political party or caucus that would set agendas and priorities and policies according to the interest of the people. We can engage in massive political education and registration. To repeat, we need massive political participation, not just to support old politicians or to perpetuate old political processes or bolster decadent political parties but that we might create a viable Black political vehicle for our purpose. There is another reason we must involve ourselves in politics. We must learn the art, science and skills of governing. Even if we come by machinery of government, how can we govern if we have never participated in that process. We must inspire our young to be political, to run for office, to learn the political process – not to do what others have done but to do what others ought to have done. It should be remembered that in June, 1978 we organized a Black political convention. We endorsed ten candidates and supported them with funds and voter registration drives, etc. From this venture, we gained valuable experience to prepare us to establish a Black Convention as an on-going reality. Program Development We must be program minded. We must learn what business is and develop business cooperatives. While it is still true that ideologies inspire people, economics feeds them. Again, uppermost in our minds must be sensitivity to the immediate needs of our people. Jobs, housing, clothing, medical care, and education are some of the necessities that must be met by any movement which claims to represent the interests of the people. It is a legitimate desire to want to achieve these vital things as long as we understand that they are provisional and are necessary to keep us moving toward our goal. Significantly and strangely, there is the seldom mentioned side of Malcolm X which showed him to be concerned about developing programs. He even wanted programs for drug addicts and unwed mothers, etc. Malcolm was deeply concerned about politics, education, human rights and all the things that directly bear upon the lives of our people. Education We must educate! We must build educational institutions. No people can ever be free who leaves the education of their young to others for to do so is to turn over the future to another people. Here in New York, we have a classic example. In a school system which has a Black student population of 40%, more than 90% of the teachers are Jewish. Is it any wonder that seven out of ten Black children will not complete high school and of the three that do only 50% will be able to read above an eighth-grade reading level. Is it any wonder that our youth come to maturity unprepared for the demands and responsibilities of life? Baraka said, “Our children are our future. Who controls your children’s minds controls your life even after the death of your body. We must make sure our children are Black, not only by race and culture but through consciousness. Education is the development of consciousness.” We should not be trapped into any absolute methodology with respect to the education of our children. We must have alternative systems. Bro. Jitu Weusi and the people at Uhura Sasa and others have shown us the way. At the same time, however, we cannot leave the public school system alone. Inasmuch as we have paid for it and are continuing to do so and most of our people are still there, we ought to develop a tactic to gain control of that system. An objective of capturing the inner-city school systems across the country is a worthy goal and if it were done, it would speed the revolution on its way. The following figures with respect to the Black student populations across the country are worthy of consideration. Baltimore 64%St. Louis 63%Philadelphia 58%Indianapolis 33%New York (about 22% Puerto Rican) 30%Boston 26%Detroit 58%Cincinnati 42%Chicago 52%Newark 71%Cleveland 56%Pittsburg 38%District of Columbia 92%Buffalo 35%Rochester 27% *Figures taken from An Urban Reader Institutional Infiltration We can develop a strategy of infiltration of institutions. On the way to achieving the major objective, there are minor objectives which we can achieve. There are unions, school boards, community planning boards and religious institutions which we can infiltrate and capture and turn the resources to our benefit. Consider the unions in the City of New York. At least three of them have a rank and file which is predominately Black and yet the leadership is white. District Council 37 113, 000 members 35% Black Majority are Black and Hispanic Transit Workers Union 34,000 members 50% Black Housing Patrolmen Benevolent Association 1,450 members 52% Black (This union does have a Black president, Jack Jordan) To be continued… Look forward to the next article on Thursday, December 15, 2022 Watch my videos on YouTube: Herbert Daughtry Global Ministries Follow me on Facebook: @HDglobalministries Twitter: @revdaughtry Visit our website: www.hdgministries.org Phone Number: 833-236-7555 Tune in for our Lifeline Fellowship (7am- 8am EST) and The Timbuktu Learning Center (7pm-8:30pm EST) Call-In: 716-427-1168 Passcode: 604309#

The Anti-violence and Anti-war Mass Movements (cont.) Part Sixty- Five We are continuing the speech which I did in 1981 regarding two motions or movements or two major issues of that time. They were Anti-war and Anti-violence. I was fascinated by the striking similarity of that time and the present. I thought it would be of interest particularly for those persons who are students of history, the Peace and Civil Rights Movements. Date: April 4th, 1981 Let me try something out on you. We are always expressing our anti-Americanism. We have heavy rhetoric on our hatred for everything American, justifiably so. America deserves all the anger we have towards it. But what does this do? It wins some "yeahs" and "right on’s" from the brothers and the sisters, but it keeps ordinary brothers and sisters neutralized for the most part, or at least does not expand our support among our own people. In addition, to run a heavy anti-American "I hate the flag" wrap, gives our enemies more ammunition. Posturing themselves as gleaming patriots, they condemn us for being unpatriotic, which we are according to their definition and the definition they have made people accept. If you talk in those anti-American terms, the adversary will label you a socialist, communist, etc. We would be wise to reject our enemy's definition of the kind of society we want. We should say, "you can call us what you want, you can call us what you will, we are describing a social order." You see, Socialists, Communists, Revolutionary, are terms you should be very careful about using, because the people of the United States have been brainwashed to believe that anyone who is described as a Socialist, Communist, or a Revolutionary, is some kind of monster. To accept a Socialist, Communist, or Revolutionary is to put you at an unnecessary disadvantage. Suppose we were to say, "let's make America what America ought to be." First of all, it takes the moral, patriotic posture away from the enemy. Secondly, to say you want to make America what America ought to be, would mean all of the things we talk about in our wildest dreams. What is it that America ought to be? If you had the power, what would you make America? Well, it ought to be the land of freedom, justice, and equality. A land where there is quality education for all, medical services for all, employment for all. A land where democracy and economic fairness exists. Where there is war against racists, fascists, imperialists, and regimes anywhere. A land that supports freedom, and helps human struggles throughout the world, and opens its doors to all who are feeling oppression; can anybody argue with that? As a person and or movement grows it or they must find language to express their expanding vision. And if the vision is authentic, it must encompass the world, yet include in a special way, the most oppressed. The greatness of Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. surely was due to their universality and their particularity. They were the highest expression of humanity. And so, they were ever growing, and therefore ever reaching for language to articulate their universality. There are at least three principles we must remember in organizing: 1. Out moralize your enemy. The most effective way to accomplish this is to beat him at his own code, laws, traditions, holy books, and sacred documents. Show the world your enemy is the hypocrite. Demonstrate that you are really doing what your enemy is supposed to be doing. If your enemy talks about democracy, show the world you are truly the democratic force. You are the one who is for democratic ideals, while your enemy only mouths this idea, while still denying human rights. Significantly, in America, your accusation would be true and would give greater force to your moral argument. 2. Always organize within the experience of your own people, and outside the experience of your enemy. That is why any movement which does not take seriously the religious nature of black folks, is due to fail. The organizations and movements that have made the biggest impact among black people have all had a religious base or dimension. Marcus Garvey, Father Divine, Elijah Muhammad, etc. to name a few – anything with which your people are familiar and your enemy is unfamiliar can be used with great success. 3. We must win the loyalty of our people. Whatever else we do we must win the loyalty of our people. We cannot be so bad that we scare our own people away from us. Let us not forget our enemies are always trying to isolate us – always trying to show that we do not represent the people, that we are a handful of hoodlums bent on self-destruction. We must say, we represent the highest aspiration of democratic ideals and economic equality. We have the support of the people. We are the people's representatives; the people are with us. We are the people. Keep Priorities Clear - In our merger, as we build our coalition, we must keep our priorities clear. We must never forget this is still a racist society. Whatever else it is, it is still a racist society, and the very people who march with us can be turned to the system. But we can never go back. We have nowhere to go. We have no country we can call our own. Moreover, the very organization which dawned the movement, might have a history of racism. And view their interests as a link to the ruling class interest. Therefore, our role must be, at woe to us if we do not fulfill it, to keep our priorities in place, and to insist upon prioritizing our objectives. Two-Fold Objectives - Now, what are our objectives? They are two-fold. Long range and short range. Our short-range objective is an immediate end to racist violence; Violence by the abuse of police power, violence by mass murder, and violence by the KKK, etc. We must have an end to racist violence. Our short-range objective must be concerned for employment, medical services, responsiveness and sensitivity from political and bureaucratic representatives, quality education, control of or influence over our community institutions. We need not be quiet about it or bullied into silence by charges of reformism. Whatever we get, it belongs to us. We have labored for it, and we have never been paid. So, whatever we get, is due to us. Moreover, it is hard to be ideological when you are hungry. You cannot expect to win people through philosophical or ideological positions when there is no employment, no food, no clothes, the house is falling down, and rats and roaches have to fight for crumbs. We must let the people's priorities set the agenda. We must do what we have to do today where we are, with what we have, and with whomever is with us. So we can do what we want to do tomorrow. So we can achieve what we want to achieve in the future. This comes to me that we must continue to rally against the issues at the local level, which is consistent with the National Black United Fronts resolution, policies, and programs. We must struggle at the local levels in the local communities, but at the same time the National Black United Front must identify or allow local communities to identify issues that can be addressed nationally. Two Essentials - There are two essential developments that must emanate from any organization or movement if it is to grow to its full potential. 1. Protection for the people - It must develop the capacity to protect people. Without security, nothing means anything. That is why the National Black United Fronts march against racist violence and the leadership it has provided in this regard is so important. The people must be protected! Whoever protects the people will win the loyalty of the people. We must assume the responsibility to organize a self-defense force. And while I would not dismiss any kind of self-defense, still I don't think it is wise to give public expressions to some forms of self-defense. I still feel, however, that it would be the right act, the noblest, wisest, course of action to develop a visible community patrol. To control the community and transportation system to say to our people, we are from the National Black United Front, and we are here to protect you. If you have problems, let us know, we are in hearing distance. This would surely win the appreciation of the people. I still believe that to save several people from danger would be the right thing to do from every respect. Yes, for those who like to talk revolution, it would be the revolutionary thing to do. Because it would mean winning the loyalty of the people, and every genuine revolutionary knows that without the people you don't have anything… You must win the loyalty of the people! You must win the loyalty of the people! 2. Win something for the people - The second imperative for a viable organization, must translate motion into possession. We must win something, some time, with the people and for the people. What we win may on the surface seem small, but to oppressed people having internalized a using habit and the idealism of their oppressors, there is no such thing as a small victory. Any defeat of the enemy…. even a gurgle defeat, is a major victory. Our movement must not go beyond the people. We must carry the people with us from victory to victory. Now an inch, now a yard, now a job, program, now a school district, now an economic institution, now a community, now a city, and now a.... Each victory must be seen as setting the stage for another victory. If we can achieve security and possession, the Anti-violence and Anti-War Movement will gather momentum, ever expanding, ever growing, and moving us to the second objective of long-range objectives.

Why not Peace talks? (continued) Last week we ended Why not Peace talks with a line from the previous article, “A victorious peace seems unlikely.” “Despite all its military superiority, the USA (with one exception, the UN-sanctioned liberation of Kuwait in 1991) has never won a war. (‘That is startling information, America has never won a war and has never bought democracy. That information should be burned in the mind and memory of all Americans in particular, and all the nations that America has gone to ostensibly help. - Rev. Daughtry’) It has ultimately left behind only destruction, chaos and much human suffering. They have never brought democracy. Will this now also be the fate of Ukraine? Wouldn’t fantasies of achieving a military victory result in immeasurable suffering to the Ukrainian people? How can we Europeans share responsibility for that? (The above paragraph is exactly what I and many others are calling for. Read last week’s article. - Rev. Daughtry) It is more likely that Russia will dig in and maintain control over large parts of eastern and southern Ukraine. This would threaten to divide Ukraine. The result of this war would hence not be a proud victory, but a bombed-out, divided, internally torn and economically devastated Ukraine that could become increasingly ungovernable. And all this would have been achieved through Western military ‘help’. Wouldn’t it be in Europe’s interest to support, even demand, a negotiated peace? In doing so, Europe would follow the call of the world community to resolve the Ukraine conflict peacefully. In the UN General Assembly, Member States not only condemned Russia’s illegal military aggression, but also called on all parties to end this war through dialogue and negotiations. Recently, the UN Security Council repeated the call for a peaceful solution in a statement. There is no mention of arms deliveries or even a victorious peace in any UN resolution. The key elements for a peaceful solution have already been worked out by courageous Russian and Ukrainian negotiators in the first two months of the war. According to these, Ukraine would renounce NATO membership and not allow any foreign military bases on Ukrainian soil, while Russia would commit to recognizing Ukraine’s territorial integrity, withdraw all Russian troops from Ukraine and accept international security guarantees for Ukraine. It had also already been tentatively agreed to give a special status to the Donbas within Ukrainian territory (as already foreseen in Minsk II) and to resolve the future status of Crimea at a later stage through purely diplomatic means. (Really a peaceful solution was signed in the first two months of the war, who blocked it or stopped it. I think the world would love to know.) Certainly, this is not a complete peace treaty – not yet; many difficult details remain unresolved. But the outcome of these peace negotiations, even if only provisional, represent an astonishing achievement at a time of war. There is and will be no other peaceful solution than to agree to some form of Ukrainian neutrality in return for preserving Ukraine’s territorial integrity. It would be completely illusory to assume, as some Western governments like to claim, that such a peace treaty is a purely Ukrainian responsibility and that they should stay out. To use this to justify the West’s silence on Russian-Ukrainian peace efforts is highly disingenuous. President Zelensky’s position would be far too weak to push through such a far-reaching peace treaty with Russia without Western support, and for Russia a peace treaty negotiated only with Zelensky would hardly be worth anything. Due to its massive military and financial support, this war has long become also a war of the West, if this was not already the case from the beginning. Because of this, Europe should be working for peace with the same vigor as it did for supporting Ukrainian military. Why has this not happened? Is Europe failing, now at a time of the greatest threat to peace since the end of the Cold War? How can one explain why no European government found the courage to support the Russian-Ukrainian peace negotiations in Istanbul at the end of March, thus betting on an extension of the war? In particular, the EU leadership showed itself to be frightfully incompetent. For it, a transatlantic solidarity with the USA continues to be more important than the search for a pan-European peace. The Afghanistan experience should serve as a warning to the EU that it shouldn’t rely blindly on American positions. With a possibly weakened US President after the mid-term elections in November and little chance to be re-elected in 2024, the USA’s strong support for this war could wane, leaving the mayhem it created for Europe to solve. Perhaps Italy’s recent peace initiative provides a glimmer of hope. France and Germany should now join in to try to promote a wider European response to this terrible and completely unnecessary war. Only in this way could a complete destruction of Ukraine be prevented and peace in Europe be preserved. It is, therefore, time for Europe to finally find its own voice.” In this article, I should mention Mr. Schulenberg’s background. For some who read the article might have greater respect and concern for the article, if they knew the authority who has written this very thoughtful and informative article. Michael von der Schulenburg, former UN Assistant Secretary-General, escaped East Germany in 1969, studied in Berlin, London and Paris and worked for over 34 years for the United Nations, and shortly the OSCE, in many countries in war or internal armed conflicts often involving fragile governments and armed non-state actors. These included long-term assignments in Haiti, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and Sierra Leone and shorter assignments in Syria, the Balkan, Somalia, the Balkan, the Sahel, and Central Asia. In 2017, he published the book ‘On Building Peace – rescuing the Nation-State and saving the United Nations’, AUP. ____________________________________________________________________ I heard this morning, November 1st, that Iran was sending Russia more weapons. The missile and drone attacks continue. President Zelensky claims to have shot down four Russian planes and as Schulenberg stated “peace isn’t likely”. Yet Zelensky American and Ukrainian leaders, the military, and American press all praise Ukraine for winning back for certain cities as their counterattack. And as always Zelensky says they can win more territory if they had more money and sophisticated weaponry. It seems that American and Ukrainian leaders are in a contradiction in how Russia is bombing certain facilities, hospitals and playgrounds. Repeatedly, we are told that President Putin is a war criminal who is killing civilians and children. At the same time, they admit that Russia has stepped up its attack and even the next four provinces. And so, Ukraine, America and the allies seem to be caught in a destructive contradiction that has brought much suffering to the people they say they are winning but at the same time they are losing. I believe that this contradiction has to be maintained to justify all of the resources America and other nations have poured in to retain and are compelled to continue giving Mr. Zelensky what he asks for. As President Biden says, “Ukraine is not going to lose.” This war seems inevitable....

The House of the Lord Church where Black political power was born and nurtured The Anti-violence and Anti-war Mass Movements As I was digging through my speeches, articles, sermons etc. I came across this speech which I did in 1981 regarding two motions or movements or two major issues of that time. They were Anti-war and Anti-violence. I was fascinated by the striking similarity of that time and the present. I thought it would be of interest particularly for those persons who are students of history, the Peace and Civil Rights Movements. Hence, I’d like to share the following speech with you: Date: April 4th, 1981 What we see today are two major mass motions: Anti-Violence and Anti-war. Of course there are other issues: urban renewal, unemployment, police brutality, etc., but anti-violence and anti-war are the main issues. As we approach the summer, the mass motion is expanding and gathering a full head of speed. Liken it to a volcano, there is an awful lot of rumbling going on, which can be felt for miles around. Whether or not the volcano will explode is anybody's guess. Some wish for calm, some predict that it is not serious. Others misname it — they say it is not a volcano rumbling, but rather the roar of the ocean that we hear. But ever so often, the volcano spews hot lava from its belly, and the rumbling and shaking increases. There are still others who wish the volcano would blow, and that the eruption would shake the foundation of the nation and blow society off its hinges. It calls to mind Malcom's teaching on the house Negro and the field Negro. If a fire starts, the house Negro will try to put it out; he would even die with his master trying to save the house. But the field Negro, would pray that the wind would blow stronger to fan the consuming fire. The motion that we see conjures up the days of the Peace Movement and the Civil Rights Movement. As we recall, the Civil Rights Movement was largely black, although whites were also very much involved. Their influence behind the scenes was pervasive and indeed powerful - too pervasive and too powerful many black leaders thought. Thus ushered in the Black Power Movement in which black people were asserting their independence.“We wish to plead our own cause and lead our own movement”, leaders asserted. Almost simultaneously came the Vietnam war. Whites were the dominant participants and many left the Civil Rights Movement all together and many blacks became involved in the Peace Movement. They attempted to emphasize the connection between racism and poverty in America, and imperialism abroad. After the war, many whites were left with nothing to do. So they went back to schools, businesses, and homes. In other words, they returned to the system. Blacks, however, were forced to continue the struggle. It is important that we remember those days, and that we learn from them. Remember the quote, "those that do not learn from history are doomed to repeat its failures." On April 4th, 1967, Martin Luther King Jr. made his famous anti-war speech at the Riverside Church in New York. I remember gathering some of the young fellas of our church and going to that historic occasion. Also, I remember going to Washington with a group called Clergy and Laymen Concerned about Vietnam in February 1967 to protest the war. I remember meeting with Congressman Emanuel Celler and Congresswoman Edna Kelly. It was before Brooklyn was reorganized to provide black representation, which by the way, paved the way for Shirley Chisolm. I remember saying to Representative Celler, that the MOVEMENT against the war was going to increase. He said "Oh no, clergymen are always into these things, but the agitation will die down." Let us now consider what our position should be in the coming days. We should merge the two motions: ANTI-VIOLENCE and ANTI-WAR. They are two sick twigs growing out of the same corrupt soil. Secondly, we should intensify our coalition efforts. We must face the fact, if we are going to have the kind of movement that can turn this country around, that can produce massive rapid change, then we must have allies. We do not have to love them, we do not have to immolate them; but if we have more in mind than dreaming dreams of unreal objectives or constructing a few alternative institutions, if we are thinking about this fundamental change, a radical social reordering of priorities, values, and resources -- then we must have allies. Let us not forget: Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin sat down together not because they loved each other, but because they wanted to win a war. When they had achieved that objective, some other leaders of said countries sat down with other leaders of the very same countries they had warred against. To scheme together, with the leaders who had been their allies in the war. America, Britain, and Russia were really against Germany, Italy, and Japan. Now, it has turned completely around. America, Britain, Germany, and Japan are allies against Russia and China. We are at war, a war that is sometimes subtle and sometimes flagrant, but always destructive. War means killing and destroying, and that is precisely what is happening to us. It is imperative that we learn and apply certain principles that are deployed during times of war. I am not necessarily talking about violence and weaponry. I am thinking about a more sophisticated war making - identifying allies and real enemies, developing different approaches at different times, knowing when to sound militant, and when to moderate the language, when to threaten and when to talk peace, when to be diplomatic and when to be strident; when to confront and when to compromise, when to brandish a sword and when to bury it. I am referring to "The Art of War." That is what Sun Tzu called it. Yes, war is an art. How do you think Mao won in China? Nkrumah in Africa, Ali Khamenei in Iran, the Patriotic Front in Zimbabwe, Maurice Bishop and The New Jewel Movement in Grenada, Toussaint Louverture beating the French and everybody else in Haiti, Fidel Castro conquered Batista in Cuba; Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam? Because they had the most fire power? No - they won because they learned The Art of War. Remember, all the huge animals are gone: the tyrannosaurus, the dinosaurs - while the small animals are still with us. We must out-think our enemy, not out-muscle him. It is the best minds and the best thinkers that endow in the end. Mao said, "When the enemy advances, we retreat; when the enemy camps, we harass; when the enemy tires, we attack; when the enemy retreats, we pursue." No war can be won by the adoption of a static attitude or an inflexible strategy. Vladimir Lenin said, "To tie our hands beforehand, openly to tell the enemy, who is at present better armed then we are, whether we shall fight him and when, is stupidity and not revolutionary. To accept battle at a time when it is obviously advantageous to the enemy and not to us, is criminal. The political leader of the revolutionary class that is unable to tack, maneuver, and compromise in order to avoid an obvious disadvantage that is absolutely worthless." This flexibility, this Art of War, is not easy to adopt. The stiffest opposition will come from one's own people. They must try to perpetuate an image of a leader, or an organization, which first attracted them. They have grown comfortable with the image, and if they have benefited from, or made some progress, to change now or shift in order to be flexible will be all the more difficult. There are times when a leader must lead, and it is always true that leadership is risky business. History shows that oftentimes a leader is crucified by his own people. Let me give you an example. Since there have been some discussions in various places, I don't want those who have had those discussions to think that I am using this forum to win my point. The attempted assassination of Ronald Regan required a thoughtful statement from the National Black United Front. To lead the action without an official decision, might lead other members to say something in the name of the organization. What we said essentially, "the chickens have come home to roost." But we opened the statement with an expression of concern for the families of those who had been shot. Nothing was said about President Reagan. The statement was a page and a half long, four lines were given to the expression of concern. We thought that it was a diplomatic statement. Now some people did not upstand this. They wanted a stronger statement on Reagan's crimes and his "getting what he deserved." At the same time, however, there were some people for whom we manifest great admiration, Maurice Bishop, Brezhnev, Castro, all those leaders set messages of concern much stronger than ours. They didn't do it because they loved the President, nobody did. They did it because it was the diplomatic thing to do. Diplomacy might be defined as an adroitly handling of the truth carelessly without lies. The easiest thing in the world would have been to start issuing wild statements. But what would it have gained? Again, we must learn from history. Remember the storm Malcolm X started up? The media picked up the quote "chickens coming home to roost," and created a whirlwind. We said essentially the same thing, but we said it diplomatically. To be continued…