"It takes years to learn how to look at the Destruction of Beautiful
things to learn how to leave the place of oppression; and how to make your
own regeneration out of nothing."
-Gerald Stern-
As we as Human beings, embark on our Journey that
each one of our lives reveals to us, some of us may take longer than others
to discover the purpose of our lives. So our Journey may take us far and
wide, but at some point, we must learn what our purpose is. .
My Purpose Is To Serve.
For the past 17 ½ years, my life has been isolated
to a prison existence. But as my mind developed, my heart opened up and
my new found political growth has allowed me travel. In the early part of
my sentence, I met and studied with Brother Malcolm X and we traveled
around the world. Malcolm X was my first teacher. He introduced
me to great men like Che' Guevara, Nat Turner, and Marcus
Garvey. Meeting these men and learning from their contributions and
many sacrifices, I was able to slowly chart my own path. This path led me
to the Congo in Afrika, where I was to be introduced to Jomo Kenyatta
and Patrice Lumumba. Jomo Kenyatta taught me about the Kenyan
"Mau-Mau," while the struggles of the Congo were explained to me in
detail by Patrice Lumumba.
We all Journeyed across the motherland to South Afrika,
where we had dinner with Nelson Mandela. He taught me lessons in
the art of guerilla warfare. While Winnie encouraged me that the
Afrikan Struggle in Afrika would be consolidated with ours in North Amerikkka.
As we departed the company of our family in South Afrika, we Journeyed deep
in the Ethiopian bush. Where to my elation, I was standing before the Emperor
Haile Selassie. His Sage advice helped me to understand the power of
Rastafarianism. He encouraged me to remain strong in my search and discovery
of the rich history of our people. We all mounted camels and he lead us
into Haiti, where they all encouraged me to sit and break bread with (Francois
Toussaint L 'Ouverture). Where he described for me the essence of the
liberation wars. As we sat in a sacred circle, we were visited by Steven
Biko, Maurice Bishop, Amilcar Cabral, and Samora Machel.
These men were wise leaders who embraced me as their
brother and for the first time in my life, I knew what true brotherhood was.
I was told before I left Afrika to continue my Journey. That I would meet
the heads of all Afrikan Tribes and see where lands of the ancestors of
my people were. My time spent learning about my people and the continuation
of oppression of their land confirmed for me, that this Journey will never
end, until the struggle destroys Colonialism and Imperialism that has destroyed
or stolen the natural resources of the land. This Journey made me realize
that my job is to serve in the best way that I can. My Journey across Afrika
was one that has allowed me to understand that Afrikans everywhere constitute
one people and one Nation. This is what my brother Marcus Garvey meant
by Pan-Afrikanism.
So as me and brother Malcolm X Journeyed back home to Amerika.
we met with Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. who wanted to make me understand
his position on integration, that was totally in opposition to the hard
line Nationalism my brother Malcolm X advocated. But as we talked
and shared our ideas, it became clear to me that these men respected each
other and knew we'd get to the finish line together. While learning what
I could from these two strong leaders, I accepted the choice of my avocation.
After attending the famous "I have a dream speech" which helped to push
the struggle for civil rights, I began to understand that no matter how much
this empire appeared to change. Racism, the concepts that fosters White
Supremacy and the history of slavery's past, would be deeply rooted here.
After my meeting with Martin Luther King. Jr., I would meet and learn
from many Black Nationalists who were fighting to expose injustice and oppression
being carried out against our people.
The (Panthers) and (APSP), and the (PGRNA) would all.
teach me some valuable lessons about self-empowerment, growth, and development.
These formations represented the vanguard and others who I would learn
of like the (BLA), (Move), (Nation of Islam), and other Afrikan based fronts.
These teachings introduced me to our brother George Jackson, Jonathan
Jackson, and all the great men associated with these events. Struggle
has compelled many to Journey through our History through writings of other
people and books they have authored. Which for many of us who are connected
to revolutionary politics, use today as our blueprint maps of what will
work for us and what obviously don't work. The prison struggles that occurred
in San Quentin and Attica would dramatically Transform the prison culture
tremendously. A lot of political development occurred that helped in the
building of unity and collective opposition to guard abuse.
We Journeyed all around this Empire, learning about
the struggles of our people and helped along the way. We met with Fred
Hampton and the Black Panthers party, and a host of many others. This
has been a long Journey to the place in which I am today. But I will Never
Surrender, nor will I cease to Struggle. (Aluta-Continua)
By now, I guess you know that my Journey was my walk
through history. Though my constant study of historical materials and the
issues of current affairs. I've never met most of the people mentioned here
in person, but I have met them through their works and contributions. This
is the Distance of a Long Journey that has taught me my mission and purpose
is to be a Servant. Just as these people named here have served. So my own
Regeneration will begin. Peace & Blessings.
~In The Balance of Resistance~
BRO. KHALFANI MALIK KHALDUN
#874304
Wabash Valley Correctional Facility
S.H.V. Administrative Segregation
P.O. Box 1111 A2-201
Carlisle, Indiana 47838
(www.prisonactivist.org/khalfani)