Good day brothers and sisters of African American History!  During the lecture today of the freedom movement and the filmed showed of the lunch counter sit-ins, and the freedom rides of the civil rights movement.  As I sat there watching the peaceful demonstrators protest for equality. I observed that when the peaceful protestors where brutality attack by vicious white segregationist who wanted to maintain apartheid (Jim Crow) of the South. I presented a question to the class concerning, “Why did not the peaceful protesters fight back”?   At least defend themselves?

Ladies and gentlemen if I may for your consideration take a moment and ponder on this question.  I heard one of my brother’s answer “because they were non-violent”.   Another person stated “passive aggressive respond to violence”.  I would like to direct your attention on my reflection.  From the first African that was brought to Amerikkka and was made into a slave to build this nation of ours.  We have been in a state of war, what do I mean by this?  We were taken from our homeland against our will striped of our customs, values, religions, language and were made to denounce our way of life.  If we did not denounce our way of life.  We were stripped down totally naked and beaten into submission.  I highly recommend you read the infamous Willie Lynch Letter “The Making of a Slave.”  The reading of this book will be very helpful to you  understanding our condition today.

In war you have two opposing sides fighting with military weapons.  Each of the opposing sides have to some degree of military might, and power, and weapons.  Since the first slave in this country we have been fighting this war for our freedom, rights, and our human dignity.  In this war I am referring to, the two sides as; White supremacy (Anglo Saxons, White people), and a once free people from Africa Negroes, Blacks, African Americans.  Have been fighting since 1617 to present. 

However, this war is not being fought as a normal conventional art of war.  Blacks have been denied the right to take up arms, unlike the Anglo Saxon who has  rights to take up arms making this  a war of unfair proportions.  For example, an Anglo Saxon can kill, hang, rape, and beat a black person with complete impunity. On the other hand, in fighting  this war it was unlawful for Blacks to take up arms. How can you fight a war without weapons?  The non-violent movement tactics  was of the belief you fight back with love, and kindness, and passive resistance non-violent civil rights approach, love our enemy, do good to them who despitefully miss use you. This was kind of passive resistance was led by Uncle Tom Bayard Rustin. I bet in our class some of you believe in this reasoning.  During the sit-ins and demonstration, and the marches. Blacks did not have the proper military might to fight an unequal war.  However, you did have a part of the movement who did take up arms led by Robert F. Williams who and his group were militarily trained for combat.  This segment was not fully received by the peaceful protesters  of the civil rights movement, and the Whites, as a result,  williams fled the country.

In this war for freedom there was the Nation of Islam, there slogan was “by any means necessary.” Their leader was the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, the national minister was Malcolm X.  The Nation of Islam did not adopt the view of passive resistance.  The Nation of Islam believed in self-defense, and fighting back and to take up arms.  During an interview I had the distinct pleasure of speaking with Dr. Joann Anderson the wife of Dr. Claud Anderson the founder of powernomics  and author of “White Wealth Black Labor.”  During the interview she explained to me that she and her husband and many others left Dr. King's non-violent movement and, began to follow the teachings of the Nation of Islam.  She went on to state her reason, her reason was; that Malcolm X message was better articulated than King's message .  Malcolm X was better educated, more factual than King.  

Finally, fighting this war was another group, The Black Panther Party founding by Huey P. Newton.  The Black Panthers took up arms and taught Blacks  to defend themselves against White Supremacy.  In fact, the “Panther Bill” was introduced to the Sacramento State Assembly to dis arm the Black Panthers, so they could not take up arms and protect themselves against the Anglo Saxon.  Huey’s message was self-defence against armed Whites. 

My brothers and sisters would you go into a combat zone unarmed?  Supposed you were attacked would you not fight back? My brothers if your wife or daughter were raped by a white man or any man, would you not want justice?   My beautiful black brothers and sisters please explain to me the logic of a non-violent approach?  Is it better to forgive a white person over a black person?  I wonder if I were to attack a white person would they turn the other cheek?

Closing thoughts, I am very grateful for all those who have fought, and continue to fight for our collective freedom.  The sacrifices made on the non-violent approach, and the self-defence  approach. If were not for the millions of those who since our un-invited arrival in the United States who have fought the good fight of faith so, that I can attend The University of Washington, to sit in integrated classrooms, write this paper sitting next to a White woman in an integrated library.  My brothers and my sisters, the lives lost, the sacrifices made by my our ancestors that we are able to enjoy the freedoms we now have, we must never forget them, be proud of your Blackness, love your Blackness, love your heritage, most importantly, love your brothers and sisters.

Much love to all of you my brothers and my sisters

Herbert B. Collins