Rev. Daughtry's weekly article that appears
in the NY Daily Challenge every Wednesday and Friday.
Black Power Revisited- Part XIII
By: Rev. Dr. Herbert Daughtry
Part XIII is a continuation of the Black Power series started earlier
in the year. This excerpt is taken from excerpts of my writings on Black
Power over 40 years ago. I hope the reader finds the articles as interesting
and informative as I have found them.
Fear of Violence
The people, who see violence in the Black Power philosophy, are not
being realistic. They demonstrate an unwillingness to face the fact
that conditions produce violence. The unwillingness of white Americans
to see the seeds of violence in their racist attitude, and to look for
scapegoats, when the explosion occurs, to hunt up “bugaboos”
to blame, instead of looking at themselves and asking, “Is it
I?” has paralyzed sincere efforts to recognize things for what
they are, all of which makes progress impossible. A wrong cannot be
corrected until its existence is acknowledged. It is for this reason
that many feel pessimistic about racial harmony ever becoming a reality
in America.
They say whites are too proud and stubborn to admit past and present
sins. Even God cannot help a man until he acknowledges that he is a
sinner. Whites exhibit too brazenly the universal artistry of blaming
others. Even Vice President Herbert Humphrey could say that if he had
to live as some Negroes, he would lead a revolt. But still whites look
for a villain, when frustrated masses vent their frustrations in riotous
acts. They blame the Communists, certain hoodlums, civil rights leaders,
professional rabble-rousers; now Black Power has been singled out as
the next instigator.
When revolts happen—and they will happen unless changes are made—Black
Power will be the cause. The fact that people have always rebelled against
injustice, which even a worm will turn if you step on him; do not register
at all. The wonder is that given the cruel conditions forced upon Blacks,
they did not rebel oftener and with greater devastation. Another significant
point that Whites miss is the subliminal opportunities for black hostilities
presented by protest movements and philosophies.
Dr. King pointed this out when he told the good hearted clergymen who
felt that nonviolent demonstrations were unwise and untimely. “The
Negro,” wrote Dr. King, “has many pent-up frustrations;
he has to get them out. So let him march sometime; let him have his
prayer pilgrimage to City Hall; understand why he must have sit-ins
and freedom rides. If his repressed emotions do not come out in these
nonviolent ways, they will come out in ominous expressions of violence.”
Now we have come to a new day. The hostilities and frustrations have
reached such boiling intensity and quantity, that they can no longer,
for the masses of blacks, be siphoned off; or sublimated in large enough
portions by prayer pilgrimages to City Hall; marches, sit-ins and freedom
rides.
A more provocative philosophy, more militant movement, more fiery protagonists
are demanded. Black Power is the idea whose time has come. Hence, by
that reasoning, Black Power is really serving a useful, constructive
purpose. It gives a voice—a forum—an expression to black
discontent, which as Dr. King observed, must come out in an acceptable
ways—relatively acceptable, anyway—or explodes with catastrophic
results. Black Power has really purchased time. Whites ought to recognize
it and move to correct the wrongs—and do it quickly!
Unless some progress is made immediately—progress that reaches
the masses—I do not believe that Black Power too much longer can
serve as channels for this torrid passion which every day waxes hotter
and hotter, nor will it stay the destruction of the revolts. That would
be another era and will demand new strategies.
Note: In 1968 – after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr. – more than 100 American cities experienced devastating upheavals.
Dr. King was the spark that set a blaze the fire about which I was warning
the American people in 1966. The conditions were a tender box waiting
to explode. It could have been any match of ill treatment. Usually,
police brutality is the catalyst.
The Rev. Dr. Herbert Daughtry is featured in The Daily Challenge’s
Wednesday and Weekend Edition. Reverend Daughtry, known as the “People’s
Pastor,” is the National Presiding Minister of the House of the
Lord Churches (HOLC). He also pastors the Brooklyn Church. A
prolific writer, his books include “No Monopoly on Suffering,
Blacks and Jews in Crown Heights,” “My Beloved Community,”
“Effectual Prayer,” and “Tupac, Letters to a Son.”
HOLC has a weekly broadcast which airs on WWRL 1600 on Sunday from 10:30am-11:00am.
He is also on BCAT the 2nd and 4th Sundays at 2pm. Website: www.holnj.org