Today I was proud to stand with elders, peers, artists, youth and activists of all ages, races, and backgrounds at the protest that was held outside of Epicurus restaurant on Warren & Cass here in Detroit. A one hour demonstration was staged to protest the unwarranted mistreatment and mishandling of a respected elder, artist and activist Baba Ibn Pori-Pitts. On February 28th Brother Ibn went into the establishment, Epicurus, to use their restroom. As the brother was about to relieve himself the owner's son proceeded to call Baba Ibn obscene names, assaulting him, and slung him out of the establishment causing Baba Ibn to hit his head. This is a repugnant act of unsolicited violence. This is the greatest disrespect of an Elder in our community who is respected at home, nationally and internationally.
It is Baba Ibn that has been of the great sources of love and support to me in my career as an artist and activist. I met Baba Ibn at Pitch Black Poetry, where a group of dedicated writers, artists and activists would meet weekly on Wednesday evenings to share our words and thoughts. Not only does Pitch Black support the arts, but activism in our communities as well. As part of the Pitch Black Poetry Collective, which included brother Ibn, we engaged in bringing arts to the community, supporting political campaigns of worthy candidates, took poetry to youth in juvenile detention facilities, sponsored arts festivals honoring greats like Clifford Fears, and much more. I have had the honor of spending many evenings and sharing stages with Brother Ibn, receiving wisdom, being empowered and uplifted. Brother Ibn also taught art to children on the weekends at the Pitch Black home in Highland Park. This man does so much for his people and the youth. I have immense love and respect for him as we all should. That is why there was no hesitation in me when the notice went out for a call to protest today.
Greater than to show support to Baba Ibn, this movement is about not allowing ANYONE to disrespect any person of color in our own communities, our own city - not our elders, not our children, not our women or men. It is about not spending our money at places that don't want to serve our black faces or appreciate our black dollars. It's about us having pride and uniting as a people to defend, protect, and uplift one another. It's about us collectively taking a stand against racism and injustice. I was so moved staring into the intense young faces of elementary and middle school children, and high schoolers as they marched alongside the rest of us shouting "No justice, no peace" "Respect Now" and "We're fed up, we've had enough". It gave me hope that even after my generation the mission will go on. To see the seeds of revolution taking root and blossoming right before my eyes. My feet hurt standing in my work pumps, but I marched, and chanted and shouted right along with the rest of my people. Honorable Minister Dawoud Muhammad of The Nation of Islam, Mosque #1 gave not only rousing, but purposeful address to the crowd to do more than march, but to take action, to control our economics, to open businesses, to respect one another and to make others respect us. It was beautiful.
Now in writing all this I know many artists that speak of activism --- and I was surprised to only see a handful of us out there which included Raku and Nic Wells - even though I am sure more than us got the notice. I do understand that some people might not have gotten the notice, or had to work, but for those who knew and had no excuse not to be there, should have been there. If we don't support and defend our own, who else will? If we don't take a stand for change, who else will? We can't look outside ourselves for the answers to our problems and situations if we don't first look to ourselves to provide the solutions. Revolution starts with each individual deciding to make a change and spreads like a chain effect. To quote my poetic brother Karega Ani:
We speak of revolution, but what do the children see?
I pose that same question to you today. We write it in poems and songs. We spit it on stages. We complain of the problems, but what are we doing? Better yet ask yourself: what are you doing? If these children, these youth I saw today can take action and take a stand what can YOU do? Don't get me wrong, we all contribute to positive change in our own ways from starting with our family, to teaching, and so forth - but it has got to be more than just one person, we have to learn to work together to make an even greater impact. Today I challenge you to take action even beyond what you are already doing. I challenge you to be more than words. I challenge you, if you are right here in Detroit, to join the movement of using your art as a vehicle of activism:
PAM - Progressive Artists Movement also known as PAMMM - Progressive Artists for the Millions More Movement. PAM/PAMMM began in 2005 with Minister Louis Farrakhan's NATIONAL call to action for family, friends, artists and all to take steps to target and solve the problems plaguing our communities through campaigns focusing on:
Rape
Child Abuse/Molestation
HIV/AIDS
Teen Age Pregnancy
Illiteracy
Clean Water in Africa
Poor Health: Obesity, Hypertension and other diseases
Racism
Domestic Violence
Economic Instability
Illegal Drug Use and Dealing
Immorality
Thursday, March 29th @ 7:00 pm @ Artist's Village, 17340 Grand River, Detroit, MI @ Lahser
We meet every Thursday to discuss and implement ideas for events and projects that will help to support and accomplish the goals of the campaigns. Our current campaign addresses: Homicide.
Our first event will be on Sunday, April 15th to hold a memorial benefit for poet-activist brother Yale Miller who was recently and unjustly slain. The proceeds from this benefit will go the family of Yale Miller.
Even if you cannot make it out the weekly meetings or to this event please join our Yahoo group at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PAMMM/ so that you may be kept abreast of our upcoming meetings, projects and events. There is something that everyone can be involved in.
We have an exciting opportunity to work with Urban Farming headed by musical artist Taja Sevelle , where community gardens are planted in inner city areas. There are locations in Detroit, New York, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Montego Bay, and Jamaica . Taja reported at our Thursday meeting that 3 TONS of food were produced from the Detroit gardens alone. This food is available to the community for no cost, and without asking for all to partake and eat. Their mission is to eradicate hunger and put a wonderful use to the abandoned and wasted land right here in the city. The Urban Farming project breaks ground for a new Detroit garden on April 21st at Farwell Park on 8 Mile & Fenelon. For more information please visit their site at http://www.urbanfarming.org or call their headquarters at 248-388-4749.
These are just a few of the exciting events and projects we are joining forces on to help accomplish the mission of increasing the health, wholeness and well being of our people and communities at large.
I know that this has been a lengthy blog but I would be remiss as a responsible artist who takes activism seriously NOT to inform you of all these things. We must take a stand and offer a helping hand in saving and serving our communities, cities, states, Nation and the world. No man is an island, we do not exist alone or without the assistance of one another. Put your actions where your mouth is and join in the movement for progress TODAY!
Peace & Blessings To All,
Legacy Leonard
Lover of Arts, Lover of People, Lover of LIFE
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