books | Drums in the Global Village

It was originally published in the premiere issue of this magazine.

See the date, right above the bar code?!? Wow! I was 21 then, just hired at a daily newspaper, a ghetto Jimmy Olsen. Post-reading, I was doomed thereafter to roam the post-modern American wilderness looking for this kind of adventure and glossy chronicling opportunity, wishing to become either scribe, ready at any moment to greedily take either role, either side of the Ziegiest mirror. As I got older (note that I’m not writing “more mature”), that role/goal became my criteria to be involved with pretty much anything. Is this where my lifelong obsession with the lives of Black writers started? Hmmm…..

I’ve been laughing all week at how this article–a remembered and reconstructed momentary snapshot of place, person and circumstance, filled with 20th-century American post-rebel historic residue–has defined pretty much my entire life, while for its author, it was just an interesting part of a journalism career that loooong ago ended (he’s now a family therapist and adjunct professor at Antioch University, where he retired from as a pretty popular, multifaceted guy). He traveled light years from the experience, and I didn’t! Maybe I should call him so he can talk me down from the ledge? 🙂

Too long times ago. Two long times ago.

Be careful reading this. The truth moment, reprinted in the latest issue of The James Baldwin Review, is below.

Moment_of_Truth_in_Atlanta_James_Baldwin_Remembere Download

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/04/26/pro-palestinian-protests-college-columbia-usc-ut-austin/73465781007

Imprisoned Black Panther activist speaks to student encampment by speakerphone

Incarcerated Black Panther activist Mumia Abu-Jamal told USA TODAY he supports “anti-imperialist” student encampments spreading across the country to protest the war in Gaza. He has been in prison for over 40 years after being convicted for the 1981 murder of a Philadelphia police officer. Abu-Jamal’s death sentence was overturned by a federal court. He has maintained his innocence.

Today’s activism on college campuses reminds 70-year-old Abu-Jamal of his youth during protests against the war in Vietnam and the civil rights movement for Black Americans, he said in a brief phone call from Mahanoy state prison in Pennsylvania. He compared the protests to people once holding up lighters at concerts. Today, people tend to use cell phones.

“These are flickers of light in an anti-imperialist movement,” he said. “It’s remarkable to see.”

Abu-Jamal was set to speak Friday afternoon to the City College of New York student encampment in West Harlem, but Muslim students were in prayer on the campus lawn, so his call would be rescheduled for the evening. On Thursday, he spoke to Columbia University’s student encampment via speakerphone. A microphone amplified his voice.

− Eduardo Cuevas

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How it happened, according to the Mumia Abu-Jamal Listserv:

Johanna Fernandez via FreeMumia Unsubscribe
5:33 PM (2 hours ago)

to Free

Folks, I was being interviewed by USA Today at the City College encampment and Mumia called and I thought to pass him over to the journalist. Mumia’s remarks made it to this long list of updates. Hurray. Very positive intro to his remarks.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/04/26/pro-palestinian-protests-college-columbia-usc-ut-austin/73465781007

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APRIL 27th UPDATE:

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“Brothers and sisters and students at City College, it is not enough to demand ceasefire. How about this? Make your demand cease occupation!” says still incarcerated Black Panther and journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal from a timed prison call that was amplified from someone’s phone. pic.twitter.com/ScH8q4js0H
— @TheIndypendent (@TheIndypendent) April 27, 2024