Harambee Sisters and Brothers,
Several weeks ago, I did a seminar for the Frank Whelan Smith NOAH Collective on the “Ballot Or Bullet” speech by Malcolm X. A lively discussion ensued after we collectively listened to the speech. At the conclusion of the discussion, I made the following comment: “during this period I am more hopeful than ever.” I can’t tell you the number of people who called or wrote me about this comment. Some thought it was hyperbole, others believed I was being provocative, even some speculated that it was perfidy.
My comments are important enough that I feel compelled to explain. As most of you know, I cherish my relationship with Dr. Vincent Harding. He was my mentor and even though he now resides with the ancestors, he continues to enlighten and arouse me to action. Dr Harding’s profound and seminal work, There Is A River, is more than a history book. It is a prism, revealing how we must construct our individual and collective lives. If you read his book and heed the introduction, you will receive a glimpse into the profound nature of hope. This notion of hope, guided and informed my remarks. I made my statement with aplomb and tremendous faith in our people and our willingness to strive and thrive. Allow me to excerpt that section of the book:
“ Indeed, as a result of the history I have explored, I am foolish enough to identify the decade of the 1980’s as a time of hope. In the face of all the predictions and signs of breakdown and great danger that I see and hear all around me, I hear and see more as well. (Has this not always been one of the great strengths of our people, to face the storm without flinching, but see hope at the center: “Nobody Know the trouble I seen… Glory Hallelujah!”). I sense a time of tremendous opportunity, not an easy time but a period of great possibilities. I think it is especially significant that when this decade ends, we will have come to another Bicentennial, this time the anniversary of the nation’s Constitution. From the perspective of the Black river, considering the struggles of women, Native Americans, Hispanics and many others, we can now understand that the first Constitutional creation of the American nation was more like a poorly attended dress rehearsal, with most of the rightful and necessary performers and creators barred from the stage.”
What is Dr. Harding trying to convey, with the statement “I am foolish enough to identify the decade of the 1980’s as a time of hope?” Most assuredly, he is self-aware of this seemingly ironic statement. He can easily discern that on the surface the times do not look at all hopeful, with the post–civil rights backlash, economic struggles and political conservatism rising. In fact, to the naive eye, calling it a “time of hope” seems unrealistic, even implausible, – hence, he says “foolish enough.”
Sisters and Brothers, Dr. Harding is making a deeper argument. Hope is rarely based on circumstances alone, but on the long trajectory of our historical struggles and the persistence of resistance and a faith that has spanned generations. Our people, who have crossed over into the ancestral realm never, not even once, relinquished hope. Even when confronting daunting physical, emotional and spiritual travails, that would have drowned a lesser people, they clung to hope. My Sisters and Brothers, Hope is rooted in our Ancestral DNA. Hope is the river that grounds and keeps us afloat and swimming toward our goals, even in the most horrific storm. Yes, in the peace and calm of the river, in the turbulence of our history, in the beauty of the river, hope continues to be our beacon . Hope is one of our guides to freedom, justice and equality. A river of Hope is indeed rooted in our Ancestral DNA.
So even though things may look bleak do not be despondent but continue to HOPE. I, Frank Whelan Smith chose to believe this is a hopeful time because history shows that struggle always carries within it the seeds of transformation and hope.
If we look honestly at the condition of the United States, we see:
However, Brother Harding taught me and taught you that the idea of the “river” is to connect hope and history. Out history is not a series of isolated events. It is a continuous stream – the river of struggle for freedom. Every generation regardless of the oppression imposed on them has contributed to the movement of the river. So even when things look bleak the struggle has not stopped and the river is still flowing.
The continuous history of American oppression and subjection has been ongoing, and we must continue to be awakened to HOPE. In these times of extreme conservativeness, we possess something that they do not have, and perhaps never will, HOPE. From the realm of the ancestors, Dr. Vincent Harding has granted us a grand invitation to come to the banquet of HOPE and feast upon the food that has nourished our people, HOPE. In the banquet hall, we see the ancient rhythmic dancing of our people. They are dancing in the river of hope and are inviting us to join them in the dance. The ebb and flow of the ancient never ending, the hopeful river is our calling card. In this ancient river, You, I, young, old -- ALL of us -- are invited to become part of the ebb and flow of the ongoing river of HOPE.
Our ancestors have granted us permission to be hopeful. 19th Century warriors like Henry Highland Garnet said, “But still the Almighty Father of mercies has left to us a glimmering ray of hope, which shines out like a lone star in a cloudy sky…. If you would be free in this generation, here is your only hope. ... rather die freemen, than live to be slaves." Harriet Tubman’s most iconic quote on hope, perseverance, and determination was "If you hear the dogs, keep going. If you see the torches in the woods, keep going. If there's shouting after you, keep going. Don't ever stop. Keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going". In the 20th century Fannie Lou Hamer, emphasized hope through action, resilience and faith when she said” God is not going to put it in your lap". She encouraged fighting through despair, noting that because they had been "down so long, we ain't got no other way to go but up". Malcolm X said, “ "It is only after the deepest darkness that the greatest joy can come." Che Guevara placed hope in the future when he said, “ We cannot be sure of having something to live for unless we are willing to die for it".
Yes, I am hopeful. So why is this a hopeful time for me. Even when the times look discouraging, history shows that our people have always continued the struggle for freedom—and that ongoing movement is the reason I still believe this is a time of hope.
I see our people dancing in the river of HOPE.
With Faith In Us
Frank Whelan Smith
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