From Malcolm X to Jay-Z
Black Nationalism & the Hip Hop Generation
By Brother Salim
Adofo (May 10, 2010)
On May 25th, 1963, thirty-one
African heads of state met in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, to form the Organization of
African Unity (OAU). The purpose of this historic coalition was to unite
African nations, in order to regain political, social and economic control of
the African continent from its European colonizers. At this historic meeting,
May 25th was declared African Liberation Day.
Currently, it is celebrated the last Saturday in the month of May.
Understanding
the importance of being organized, as well as African people in America being
connected to Africans on the continent, Malcolm X organized the Organization of
Afro American Unity (OAAU) in 1964. The OAAU was formulated with the same
principles in mind for Africans in America: to gain political, social &
economic control of Black communities in America. These three principles
are the basic tenants of the concept of Black Nationalism & Pan-Africanism.
African
Liberation Day celebrations in America began May of 1972, in Washington D.C.
Over 50,000 Black people came together to unify around the same
principles of Black Nationalism & Pan Africanism
that the OAU & Malcolm X espoused. For African Liberation Day and its
purpose to continue to be effective it must be connected to the Hip Hop
Generation.
Through the medium of Hip Hop
and the economic principle of Black Nationalism (Black people creating their
own businesses), music artists such as Jay-Z, 50 Cent & Sean "Diddy" Combs have built lucrative music empires.
They have also been able to establish themselves in other areas of
business such as film, clothing apparel, food & beverage. During the
"Golden Age of Hip Hop" the late 1980's and early 1990's, artist such
as Queen Latifah, X-Clan, & Gang Starr,
incorporated the social aspects of Black Nationalism (Black people using their
traditional value system as a standard) into their lyrics and music videos.
This encouraged many young people to reflect African culture in their
styles of dress, social settings and various forms of art. Young people
were attending lectures by African scholars such as Dr. Yosef
Ben-Jochannan and Dr. John Henrik
Clarke, as oppose to “making it rain” or doing the “stank leg”. In
recent times, the election of America's first African in America president
Barak Obama, could not have taken place had it not been for the influence of
the Hip Hop generation. More people under the age of 40 voted in his
election than any other election previously.
With
these key elements of engagement, the Hip Hop generation has shown its ability
to be an influential force. More importantly when the Hip Hop generation
has worked with the Black Nationalist/Pan African Community it has shown that
it can be a force that can move Black people, Black youth in particular,
forward in a very energetic and productive manner. An example of this was
scene at the 1998 Million Youth March in Harlem NY.
At
the Million Youth March, over 25,000 young Black people from across the country
came together to take a stand against police brutality, call for an end to
“Black on Black crime” & become more politically educated. The march,
which was partially financed by one of the most popular Hip Hop stars of the
time Master P, included DJ Kool Herc
(one of the founding fathers of hip hop), recording artists Dead Prez, and Dr. Khallid Abdul
Muhammad of the New Black Panther Party. When the New York City Police
Department (NYPD) chose to disrupt this call for unity, the Hip Hop generation
took a position of self-determination, self-respect and self-defense. The
Hip Hop generation defend and protected its’ elders & young from the racist
attack of the NYPD. It is this type of courage and political
consciousness that the Hip Hop generation is lacking today and the National
Black United Front (NBUF) is working diligently to correct this.
On May 22, 2010 the Milwaukee
Chapter of the National Black United Front is sponsoring its annual African
Liberation Day celebration. This years’ celebration will focus on uniting
the Hip Hop generation and the Black Nationalist community. NBUF has made it a priority to connect with
the Hip Hop generation and provide them with the political consciousness
necessary to make Hip Hop an instrument of liberation. Activities
for the day include student panel discussion, African Liberation Day youth
talent show & African market place. Those residing in the Milwaukee area,are encouraged to attend this
celebration of family, community, culture and liberation.
Brother
Salim Adofo
Vice
Chair Organizing & Training National Black United Front (NBUF)
1809
East 71st Street, Suite 211 Chicago, Illinois, 60649,
Phone: (773) 493-0900 | FAX: (773) 493-9819
www.nbufront.org
nbufchic@sbcglobal.net