Mass Organization: The Only Weapon The Oppressor Fears

Kwame Touré, aka Stockley Carmichael, and Dr. Martin Luther King had strong ideological differences. However, this did not prevent them from working together and influencing each other in their work.  As Malcolm X said, we should unite based on shared objectives, even if we disagree on tactics.

The Key word here is to ORGANIZE based on strong objectives, even if we disagree on our tactics.

Kwame Touré was the then leader of the Black Panther movement in the 60s, a movement that uniquely has its women in the political wing of the a revolutionary movement. Black Panther aligns more with Malcolm’s school of thought, unlike Martin Luther King who was more about equality, leading a integrationist agenda.

After the death of the likes of Marcus Garvey, the issues with the various revolutionary movements of those in the late 50s to the late 70s was the lack of Organization. Yes, many of these movement were reactionary, instinctive, but lacked consciousness and mass organization. this lack of mass organization of Black people and conscientization of our movement were the reasons true Revolutionary like Martin Luther King, and Malcom X were easily killed.

Kwame Touré aka Stokely Carmichael knew this, and he was the one who re-imagined the teachings of Mass organization of Black people regardless of their tactics. According to Touré, all progressive Africans must be a part of an organization that is about true liberation of African people, both politically and economically.

Despite the difference between Malcom and King’s revolutionary ideology, Malcom made pal with King. This act caused tension among their enemies, and several devises were used to disintegrate this movement. The moment Mohammed Ali made friends with Malcom X, the government got worried, looking for ways to either subdue Ali or shutdown Malcom X. The moment MLK and Malcom got close, Malcom was assassinated. The moment the leadership of the Black Panther movement aligned with King’s Civil Right Movement, Martin Luther King was assassinated.

The most powerful weapon your oppressor is scared of is the Mass organization of our people under one voice. Until Nigerians unite, until Africans ORGANIZE against our common enemies, for Africa to stand tall among committee of Continents, Africans, Nigerians will suffer. Until Africa is safe, no African is safe.

WRITTEN BY: OMOTADE ISAAC ADEKUNLE