In 1964, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. urged Africans in the USA to support Africa stating that “For the American Negro there is a special relationship with Africa...” He continued that Africa “was despoiled by invaders… to justify white supremacy…” and that Black Americans “must find the resources to aid his suffering brothers in his ancestral homeland.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. inherited the mantle of a long tradition of an African priesthood that valiantly fought for justice, peace and the freedom of enslaved Africans across the world. The African sacred legacy for the priestly leadership has as its center a salvation experience with Africa as a pillar for Black redemption.
As a continuation of Black theology since the 18th century, Black ministers spoke of African liberation in the context of Ethiopia’s (Africa’s) special relationship to God. Thus, King’s work for freedom was vitally connected to the global force of the Pan African movement. He was ever cognizant of a collective conscience shared with other leaders in Africa and elsewhere to act for the liberation of African people. As we continue to reflect on the role of Dr. King, Jr. and those who sacrificed for our freedom, we must renew our commitment to protect our special relationship with Africa for our freedom, globally.
By the 1970’s, Reverend Dr. Wyatt Tee Walker, former Chief of Staff to Dr. King became a key successor to Dr. King in promoting Africa’s special relationship with the Diaspora. He more than any other African ministers in the Diaspora, understood this special relationship to Africa proclaimed by Dr. King. Dr. Walker was able to couple his leadership experiences in the freedom movement with his study of Africa as a member of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Fellows and so became a significant force in the liberation of Africa. Walker, like his Fellow’s instructor Reverend Dr. Ndugu T’Ofori-Atta called this special relationship promoted by Dr. King an Africa pillar th at led to Black freedom in the USA.
For King, Walker, Atta and others in the freedom movements, it was Africa’s strong leadership in the 1960’s that gave the added impetus to the success of the Black struggles in the USA. This unprecedented positioning of Africa for self-determination and empowerment unlike centuries before forced white supremacy to make important concessions for the rights of Africans, not only in Africa, but also in the U.S. and across the Diaspora. Dr. King and other Black freedom fighters understood that this special relationship to aid each other is critical to protect Black freedom and to advance peace and justice to the oppressed in the world. By the 1990’s, Wyatt’s work for Africa culminated with the liberation of southern Africa, supporting hu man rights in Nigeria and finally giving his support for the economic and political union of Africa, as the next phase of the global African challenges for greater opportunities.
However, by the turn of the century, efforts were already fully advancing under the Bush administration to disrupt our special relationship with Africa as the U.S. policy began focusing on a “war on terror” in Asia and Africa. This policy has not only continued under President Obama but is now centered in Africa. Under the Obama’s government and Africa’s weak leadership, Africa is ‘invaded’ and ‘despoiled’ using the pretense of fighting “terrorists” in Africa. Family, the African pillar to help guarantee the rights of all Black people is now threatened by Africa’s former enslavers and their Al Qaeda type mercenaries, bent on the destruction of Africa . They have already sacked Libya, and destabilizing the rest of Africa.
WHAT CAN BE DONE TO MAINTAIN OUR “SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP” FOR FREEDOM?
1. Contact President Obama and your Congressional representatives and tell him not to the support the militarization and destruction of “our Ancestral Homeland…” a pillar for Black freedom;
2. Organize forums, town-hall, and congregational meetings to educate our communities about the horrible situations in Africa and the dangers to Black freedom here, in Africa and elsewhere;
3. Begin organizing Africa peace action committees to stop the militarization of Africa and to mobilize support and assistance to help with refugees fleeing conflicts in Africa; and
4. Coordinate with global organizations and entities for international actions on behalf of Africa.
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