Hampton's forgotten legacy http://www.suntimes.com/news/mitchell/1755041,CST-NWS-mitch06.article
Today's youth can learn something from Black Panther leader's humanitarian deeds September 6, 2009 BY MARY MITCHELL Sun-Times Columnist Sometimes, I get up at the crack of dawn and walk my dog, Smoochie, at a neighborhood park. There's a swimming pool there dedicated to the slain Black Panther leader Fred Hampton, as well as a bust. I must admit that I haven't spent much time reflecting on the legacy of a young man who was killed at age 21. Like too many of us, I'm almost desensitized to the deaths of young black men. But it just so happened that, on Friday, an envelope containing a 38-page booklet about Hampton's life -- published in 1994 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of his slaying -- landed on my desk. Once I began reading the testimonials from people who knew Hampton, I couldn't put the book down. Hampton was killed by officers from the Cook County state's attorney's office and the Chicago Police Department in a botched raid on the Black Panther Party headquarters nearly 40 years ago. He stood up for disadvantaged People in Chicago are still so divided over Hampton that, a couple of years ago, efforts to erect a street sign in his honor caused an uproar. Hampton will always be remembered by some for advocating violence. But for many others -- those who benefitted from his courage -- he will always be remembered for giving hungry children a hot breakfast. Or for opening a free walk-in health clinic on the West Side. Or for trying to open a swimming pool, so poor black children could get relief from the heat. Or for being a bold advocate for justice. A positive voice for youth Like Malcolm X, Hampton scared a lot of people because he wasn't willing to sit and wait for the times to change. He tried to be the change. "He embarrassed blacks who didn't have the courage to stand up," wrote Ron Burke, a community activist, adviser and friend. You might think that a harsh pronouncement. But take a look at the streets where Hampton did most of his work, and compare what's going on now with what was going on then. Gerald Lyles, a childhood friend, described an incident that happened shortly after Hampton opened the Chicago Chapter of the Black Panther Party offices at 230 W. Madison. "We were standing on the outside landing talking when a young kid about 10 or 11 at the oldest, came up. It was raining very hard. You could smell the rain-soaked, oversized, ragged wool coat which the child had wrapped around him. "The child said to Fred, 'I want to join.' He then opened up his coat and showed a gun. "Fred said: 'Little brother, you don't need that.' "He showed the boy into the headquarters and took the gun away from the child. Now, we have children running around with guns, shooting up dope and no one like Fred is trying to take away the guns." Four decades have passed, and no one has filled the void left by Hampton's death. On the same streets where Hampton toiled and young, gun-toting brothers have caused such havoc, four West Side aldermen are pushing for stiffer penalties for gun offenses. Ike Carothers (29th), Sharon Dixon (24th), Ed Smith (28th) and Emma Mitts (37th) are backing a measure that would make getting caught with a weapon in Chicago a mandatory jail sentence. "Based on the numbers of shootings and maimings that we have seen out here in the Austin community, we want to send a message that it is not OK to carry a gun," said Carothers. Hampton once said: "Why don't you live for the people? Why don't you struggle for the people? Why don't you die for the people?" Who'll pick up the torch? Today, young black men are dying for absolutely nothing. And that speaks to what is perhaps the biggest failure of my generation. Many of us did an poor job of passing on the spirit of men like Hampton. "We are trying to keep his memory alive and show the positive part of him," his brother, Bill Hampton, told me. "He was about feeding people, clothing people and providing health care. Those are the things he fought for." After reading the words of people who knew Hampton best, I'm sure my morning walks will have greater meaning. -- This year's 40th anniversary celebration of Hampton's life will take place over three days, beginning Sept. 11. For information, please contact Bill Hampton at (708) 681-0025. . --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Sixties-L" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/sixties-l?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
