California College Students Work To Revive Their Black Nation

By Michael X, Ra’eesah Muhammad And Jabril Muhammad | Last updated: Jan 25, 2017 - 10:09:06 AM

Black college students from around the country met recently at the Afrikan Black Coalition conference in Long Beach, Calif.

Panel discussion featuring (from left to right), Bakari Sellers (CNN political commentator and former South Carolina State Representative), Dr. Boyce Watkins (author, commentator, political and social justice analyst), ZaZa Ali (educator, author, radio host), Student Minister Nuri Muhammad (of Muhammad Mosque No. 74 in Indianapolis) and Jamelia Harris (panel facilitator). Photos: Malcolm Ali

LONG BEACH, Calif.--Black Student Unions (BSU) across the state met at California State University Long Beach for their annual conference themed “Reviving Our Black Nation” from January 13-16.

The Afrikan Black Coalition’s (ABC) conference works to unify Black students across California and resolve issues concerning academic policy, campus climate, matriculation, and political education.

The conference has been held at every University of California institution, and this year, Long Beach was the first Cal State school of higher learning to host the event.

More than 800 students met with a focus on conscious building, organizing, healing, empowerment, inclusion, and intersectionality (which refers to the overlap of many social justice problems like racism and sexism to create multiple levels of social injustice).

“We are very happy to have nearly 25 campuses from throughout the State of California here at the 14th Annual Afrikan Black Coalition Conference,” Salih Muhammad, ABC chairman said in opening remarks.

“This year’s conference theme is ‘Reviving Our Black Nation,’ ... as we reflected on the work of ABC and on the work of your BSUs over the past year. And we are happy to say, to announce that the Black Student Unions of the State of California have taken as our number one priority and initiative to acquire some land so that you all as our students will have access to resources, to jobs, to houses, have access to fresh fruits and vegetables so that you can have the kind of nourishment and completeness in life,” he stated.

Star Bacon, conference chair, spoke on the critical need for Black students to be servant leaders in the liberation struggle even when the environment seems cold, ugly and challenging. The liberation of African people can be reached through struggle and sacrifice but must be also rooted in love. The sacrifice, she continued may include loss of sleep, academic struggles or even loss of employment.

Students hyped while doing roll call for their school.

“One of the greats made it more clear that the decision that we will ultimately be faced with is freedom or death, and in the name of love, it is one that we must be prepared to make, and such commitment to our mission will allow for us to have a thriving Black nation,” she continued.

“As you go through this weekend, I have a few things that I ask of you as a Black, Queer, Trans differently abled man who grew up poor, now economically stable, voluntarily residing in Oakland in an unloved hood, I ask that you seek to understand your privileges and how it informs your perspective and how that will have an impact on your leading us to our goal of liberation,” said Ms. Bacon.

ABC’s 2017 theme picked up from its 2012 conference, “Reigniting the Flame.”

It featured panels, a resource and vending fair, unity carnival, a concert, and other activities, and speakers, including the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam who spoke on Saturday. Dr. Monique Morris, author, social justice scholar and co-founder of the National Black Women’s Justice Institute, carried Sunday’s keynote address.

The weekend included many talented, Black cultural demonstrations, one of them a “roll call.” Students clapped enthusiastically and cheered to show how much they loved their BSU, their school, and their blackness. The cultural revolution was kicked into another gear with drumming and African dance, a dance performance to R&B artist Beyoncé’s song “Freedom,” and a rendition of the Black National Anthem. The Vanguard (young Muslim women and girls between the ages of 16-35 in the Nation of Islam) presented a military drill demonstration.

Dr. Carmen Taylor, vice-president of Student Affairs, Cal State University Long Beach, welcomed students, saying she was honored to stand before them on such a momentous occasion. She recognized the student planning committee for their hard work and all who organized the conference.

Justin Bradley, president, Cal State Long Beach BSU and ABC 2017 conference vice-chair, expressed gratitude and said he was honored to attend such an event.

“This is just such a beautiful moment, a moment that I have honestly envisioned since I was in 11th grade at Long Beach Poly High School, he said. Mr. Bradley thanked his peers and family members who’ve been helping him on his journey. He wept, and lowered his head, trying to fight back tears during his remarks.

Conference break-out sessions included a panel discussion featuring Student Minister Nuri Muhammad (of Muhammad Mosque No. 74 in Indianapolis, Ind.), Dr. Boyce Watkins (author, commentator, political/social justice analyst), ZaZa Ali (educator, author, radio host) and Bakari Sellers (CNN commentator, former South Carolina State Representative).

Jamelia Harris facilitated the dialogue, which touched on education, relationships, economics, social media, and politics, among other things.

Ms. Ali encouraged the students to actively seek knowledge. Everyone they meet could be their teacher, or give them something they could learn from, she said. Ms. Ali also touched on disrespect of the Black woman, and how they are not as educated as they should be in the condition of their people, particularly the damage done to their natural counterpart, the Black male.

Student Minister Nuri Muhammad spoke on unity and Blacks’ misunderstanding of the meaning of the word. Many think unity means uniformity, however, based on the definition of uniformity, which makes everything the same, unity is different, he explained.

Unity means different things, at different times, in different places all working, but working for the benefit of one or the whole, he said. God created different organs within the body, but they all work in unity for the survival of the body. What if Black “organizations” understood the real principle of unity? he asked.

Dr. Watkins spoke on circulating the Black dollar and really supporting Black businesses, educating self outside of the “educational system,” and the value of social media.

Mr. Sellers dealt with working inside the political system and shared his perspective on going behind enemy lines, and the need for fighters for justice both inside and outside of institutions, not just in one or a few areas.

The Final Call