Recorded May 24, 2001
On a Move! And congratulations to the fine young graduates of Castlemont High. I congratulate y'all, in particular your valedictorian, Massanda D'Johns, for your accomplishments. I know that your parents, your teachers and your community are proud of you for all succeeding thus far, after so many years of hard study.
For most of you there is doubtless relief, but I bet there is also fear. Fear of what comes next. Fear of the world of adults. But I know that this is not the beginning of fear, for fear has walked with many a young life in this age of America. But, I think that's for a simple reason. You have grown up in a world that fears you, you've come to age in world that does not love you, and the realization of that fact is terrifying.
Of course, your Mom loves you, and for real a mothers love is a powerful and wonderful thing. Your Dads may love, and perhaps some of your teachers have ignited in you the love of learning. But this government, the political order, the police, the media, the vast dizzying world of business do not love you. They show that in how they interact with you everyday. Not only do they not love you, but they fear you.
Your very youth, your strength, your energy, your wild raging lust for life, makes them see with fear, or almost worse, with envy. For they know that within you is a force that is like that of a hurricane, wild, natural, untamed and irrepressible. It can literally change everything it touches.
Need we argue about why I say they don't love you?
No one would claim to love someone whose made to live a ghetto. No one would claim to love someone while the forced you to live in hopelessness. Would you love someone and force them to lay down in the street at gunpoint? Would stop their cars and harass them because they're black, brown or yellow? Would you refuse to teach them the proud history of the resistance of their ancestors? Can this be love?
But take heart, for your youth is a time when love floods you, like light floods the sun! Love yourself. Love your parents. Love your community. Love your people.
Love your fellow graduates, for you are all gifts of the Force of Life.
For if you love each other, you will defend each other; you will know that you are not alone. You will know that togetherness is a powerful source of strength.
Love conquers fear.
Love vanquishes hatred.
Love expands, into the hearts of those you love.
It makes us all more human.
There's something else I wanted to say to you. When I received the invitation to speak at Castlemont, I was forced to think of my own high school years.
It was quite a few years ago, but not too long ago for me to forget that I dropped out of high school. If ever there was a reason to disqualify me from addressing you, perhaps it was here.
By dropping out, I joined a revolutionary movement.
Back in those days, we really believed that the Revolution was around the corner, and was almost upon us. It didn't happen, but I don't regret it. But you young folks live in a world that's considerably different than 30 years ago. There is no war raging in a far off land. There is no crisis emerging from the assassination of Black leaders, like Malcolm X or Martin King, or of a president. There's no Cuban Missle Crisis!
But, the funny thing is, there's probably just as much, if not more, youth and student activism.
Today, kids cross state and national borders to protest the dangers of globalism, the racist death penalty, the rule of politics by the big corporations, human rights, or even environmental concerns. I see the kind of organizing that kids are doing, and I am thrilled silly. I love it!
Remember, I said that you are feared? That's one of the reasons. For your youth gives movements such as these oomph! I invite you to share your youthful energy with some of these movements.
Well, it's your day, and it's your time!
One final word. Education is more than an individual accomplishment. It is a communal one.
You are here because your ancestors; your parents' parents' parents, dreamed of you. They dreamed of you walking in a light and freedom that they could barely imagine.
They prayed for a day when learning to read and write wouldn't be a secret punishable by death. They hoped for a time when those who come after them would look back, and give their sweet, loving souls some rest. You are here today, because of them in yesteryear. Their blood runs in your veins; the faces
stare back from the mirror, and their voices echo in your song, yeah 97even in 97especially in hip-hop. Do not forget them, for they are part of this celebration too!
I thank you! I congratulate y'all! I wish you every blessing!
Ona move!
Mumia Abu-Jamal
[posted 7/25/01]
Mumia Index | Protests Planned | R&R Main Page
Join Refuse
& Resist!
305 Madison Ave., Suite 1166, New York, NY 10165
Phone: 212-713-5657
email: info@refuseandresist.org