I remember them marching, looking all handsome and proud.
Black berets on fluffy afros
Leather jackets and sunglasses
I remember the free breakfast program.
I remember listening to Malcolm X recordings in the park.
I remember the newspaper and the pictures of revolutionary struggle.
I remember how proud I was of them.
I remember being the youngest person there, and so proud to join.
I remember the 10 point plan....
1. We want freedom. We want power to determine the destiny of our Black and oppressed communities.
2. We want full employment for our people.
3. We want an end to the robbery by the capitalist of our Black and oppressed communities
4. We want decent housing, fit for the shelter of human beings.
5. We want education for our people that exposes the true nature of this decadent American society. We want education that teaches us our true history and our role in the present-day society.
6. We want completely free health care for all Black and oppressed people.
7. We want an immediate end to police brutality and murder of Black people, other people of color and all oppressed people inside the United States.
8. We want an immediate end to all wars of aggression.
9. We want freedom for all Black and oppressed people now held in U.S. federal, state, county, city and military prisons and jails. We want trials by a jury of peers for all persons charged with so-called crimes under the laws of this country.
10. We want land, bread, housing, education and people’s community control of modern technology.
I still want those things. I still remember. I will never forget. Ever.