(Photo Black Power Babies panel: Left to Right: Michael Simmons, Aishah Shahidah Simmons, Amiri Middy Baraka, Jr., Bunmi Samuels, Muhammida El Muhajir, Marvin X, Oba Adefunmi II, Mrs. Amina Baraka, Nisa Ra, Aaliyah Madyun, Malika Iman, Barbara Rivera and daughter)

BLACK POWER BABIES: LIVING THE LEGACY OF A MOVEMENT

Last month, Black Power Babies, a dynamic inter-generational panel came together in Brooklyn, NY to explore the experience of growing up with parents active in the black power movement of the 1960s - 1970s and its impact on a generation. The Black Power Babies who joined us are those who continue to live the legacy of their parents through their activism, work, progressive outlook, and critical analysis.
The panel held at Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation's Skylight Gallery included: Black Power Babies: Moderator & Producer: Muhammida El Muhajir Panelists:

• HRM Oba Adejuyigbe Adefunmi II – King of Oyotunji African Village North America
• Amiri 'Middy" Baraka, Jr. - Campaign Manager for Newark City Councilman Ras Baraka (son of Amina & Amiri Baraka poet/activist)
• Malika Iman –Daughter of actor Yusef Iman, Black Arts, NOI, OAAU
• Aaliyah Madyun – Producer (daughter of Gail Kennard, Black Panthers and author Julian Beyah Madyun)
• Bunmi Samuel - Educator (son of Tunde Samuel, National Black Theater of Harlem)
• Aishah Shahidah Simmons – Filmmaker, Cultural Worker

Black Power Parents:

• Amina Baraka – Poet/Activist (Black Arts Movement)
• Nisa Ra – Entrepreneur, Filmmaker (Black Arts Movement) (mother of moderator Muhammida El Muhajir)
• Michael Simmons – Human Rights Activist (SNCC)
• Marvin X - Author, Poet (Black Arts Movement, Nation of Islam) (father of moderator Muhammida El Muhajir)

Questions directed specifically to the Black Power Babies uncovered the legacy the children felt their parents left to them, how they have handled this legacy and what it was like growing up a child of the movement.   Parents were asked how and why they chose to pass black power consciousness to their children and the challenges they ensued.
The Oba replied that he knew of no other way than what his parents taught. "We may have wanted to go another way but the forces would not let us."  His father HRM Oba Adejuyigbe Adefunmi I founded the Oyotunji African Village of North America in South Carolina over 40 years ago. Bunmi Samuels said there is no way he can escape the legacy of his parents who were in the Black Arts Movement, including his aunt Barbara Ann Teer founder of The National Black Theater of Harlem.  Filmmaker Aishah Simmons told of wanting at times to be "normal" (i.e have a "normal" name, diet instead of a vegetarian one, attend regular schools,etc.) but could not as the price of being a movement child. Her father, Michael Simmons a former leader in SNCC spoke of he and his comrades not sending their children to be educated by the "enemy", thus schools were set up in homes that were childcare centers as well. Middy Baraka recalled growing up attending rallies and marches with his parents while his mother, Amina Baraka let it be known Black Power was "no joke, no party, no game, people lost their lives, went to jail, prison, and exile."  "Many parents in the Black Power Movement sacrificed for the cause of liberation, even the children were often sacrificed. Some might call it abandonment, abuse and neglect," said Marvin X who concluded the discussion with a reading of a parable from his latest book, the Wisdom of Plato Negro.
Event producer and Black Power Baby, Muhammida El Muhajir said she was inspired to organize the event because, "not enough has been done to truly show how the actions of the those involved in the black power movement have impacted today's generation.  Pop cultural icons such as Tupac Shakur, Kanye West and Dave Chappelle are all Black Power Babies. We are the first post-movement generation.  It's time to begin to look at how the movement has shaped our choices, actions and outlook. Only then will we begin to see that the efforts and lost lives of the revolution were not in vain."
Requests for the panel to travel to other cities including Philadelphia, South Carolina and Oakland California are currently being considered.
For more information, interview requests or to request a panel in your city or campus, contact, Sun in Leo 718 496 2305 | prgirl@suninleo.com
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